Storyboard Dioramas & Vignettes,a resource

JohnReid · 09-09-2008

Hope you like it!

JohnReid · 09-09-2008

Storyboard Dioramas & Vignettes,a resource for creative ideas!
If it is OK with you guys and admin I would like to start a new thread dealing just with creative ideas for storyboard dioramas of all genres.
Storyboard dioramas tend to break down certain artificial barriers between model makers as they usually contain elements of other types of modeling.It would be great if all modelers could participate not just to display their work but share with the rest of us their ideas and where they came from.It would be wonderful if the 2D artists could participate as well as I know a lot of them have done 3D work too.Coming up with good creative ideas has always been one of the hardest aspects of creating any art including dioramas.Most of us will never live to see all of our creative ideas come to fruition but we all can all share some of those ideas with others.

JohnReid · 09-09-2008

First lets define just what a storyboard diorama is.I borrowed this term from Ken Hamilton a master builder of this type of diorama.
"Storyboard dioramas are full-blown,highly detailed dioramas whose sole purpose is to tell a story,with or without a vehicle as a focal point.This type of diorama uses any combination of structures,scenic techniques,vehicles,and other peripheral details to deliver the point.Overall composition and visual impact play a key role in the storyboard diorama.This is the Unlimited class of diorama building."

JohnReid · 09-09-2008

Shep Paine Shep Paine who I think we will all agree is the father of the modern diorama as we know it puts it this way,
"The diorama provides a meaning and perspective that a free-standing model cannot. It can also offer more than just an historical content.In its most developed form,a diorama is a scene that tells a story.This does not imply a story in the narrative sense,it simply means that a diorama can show "something going on."In this sense ,a diorama is not just a model of an object or group of objects,but of an event.The event mat be active and obvious or it may be passive and subtle.When a diorama becomes narrative,figures become an important element ; it is difficult to have something going on without people around."

JohnReid · 09-09-2008

JohnReid · 09-09-2008

Here is a great example of what Shep Paine is talking about.Same subject matter,an old classic car but totally different.
The top pic is nice and even educational with the open hood and all but the bottom pic shows what can be done with a little creative thinking.It is humorous,creative and has a great storyline. .Some will see a 50's story here from their youth,others will relate to the young fellows concern for his car and how far we will go to protect the things that we love.The important thing is that it raises a memory or emotion from our own life experience that a lot of us can relate to.Ken Hamiliton

has done a lot of great dios but I think that this is one of his best.

JohnReid · 09-09-2008

JohnReid · 09-09-2008

Here is a beautiful diorama by the artist Per Olav of Norway.It is a great example of a scratchbuilt diorama that has all the elements of a work of art,composition,drama,visual impact etc..etc... __________________
It has been said that the difference between a "pilot" and an "aviator" is that a pilot is a technician,and an aviator is an artist in love with flight.
JohnReid (Aviator)

JohnReid · 09-09-2008

In response to a question on another forum of how simple a storyboard diorama can be:
That is the wonderful thing about storyboard dioramas.It doesn't always have to take a huge amount of modeling skills ,it is the idea that is the most important element.
I have noticed in the past when artists get together in casual discussion a lot of that discussion will revolve around ideas and methodology,"how did you get that color" or "where did you get that idea."Usually without hesitation the artist will respond positively.Good artists usually love to share their art with their fellow artists.
You probably have noticed that I am using the term artist for what we are about .The storyboard diorama is an Art form in my opinion.I know that a lot of modelers are hesitant to use that term about themselves but the creative ones among us are just that, no doubt about it.
Jim ,that is a great image!This seems to be a common thread among storyboard dioramists (probably no such word as dioramist but what the hell its got to start somewhere)I think that most of us have a lot of great images in our minds just waiting to be put down on paper,film or in our case 3D models.Artists are just highly visual by nature .

JohnReid · 09-09-2008