Will this work?

[Tarquinius]

So, I'm obviously a new member and I recently came across the monthly banner contest here on the forums. I instantly became excited and wanted to come up with something.

During some of my brain storming, I decided I wanted to make a trench scene. i don't want to give away too much of my ideas here but I was thinking of ways to pull this off.

I initially was just going to go stomp off in my backyard and dig away and create something. But then I started thinking about it and wondered if that would be allow me to have the camera angles I desired. So this was the solution I came up with.

What if I were to build a wooden box, dimensions not being exact here, approximately 12 inches long and about 6 inches wide. Fill it with dirt and then moisten it to make it compact and allow it to harden.

After hardening, I would then create the scene in that. This diorama would then allow me to manipulate the scene in a way to give me all different kinds of angles.

So here is my question: Would I need to allow drainage at the bottom for water? Especially if I intended to moisten the dirt first and if I wanted to use water in my diorama? What would be the best way to make sure that the dirt would stay firm and compact versus loose?

Any other ideas/comments would be welcome!

 

[K-Tiger]

Why not use plaster or floral foam??

 

[Tarquinius]

I was actually thinking that just now too.

Foam/Plaster + Spray on adhesive + artifical dirt

However, I'm kinda wondering if it will look authentic or not. I'm not the greatest at sculpting.

And the more I think about it, I can imagine how dirt/water would leave opportunity for mold to grow.

So now I'm thinking either an impermenant sandbox type of vibe where I can create new trenches as I want to or I could create a permanent piece out of foam.

 

[K-Tiger]

Do an image search for WWI trench dioramas to get a feel for the possibilities.

This one may prove particularly illuminating:
Armorama :: WWI trench diorama

 

[Tarquinius]

Do an image search for WWI trench dioramas to get a feel for the possibilities.

This one may prove particularly illuminating:
Armorama :: WWI trench diorama

Thanks! GReat idea. Definitely getting a lot of inspiration

 

[daremo]

Insulation foam (pink or blue sheets) would work great for trenches and you could get the camera angles no problem. It's easy to shape, carve, cut , and paint.

 

[Tarquinius]

Insulation foam (pink or blue sheets) would work great for trenches and you could get the camera angles no problem. It's easy to shape, carve, cut , and paint.

Thanks for the idea!

I have to admit though, in all of my searches and tutorials I've seen, I haven't seen anyone recommend insulation foam. Would you mind elaborating on your suggestion as to why it works well for trenches?

 

[Meddatron]

I will elaborate a bit on Daremo.

Polyfoam is easy to use, cut, and sand. light too. Look HERE for type of foam. I Build with Lowe's green Guard. Build it, carve it well. After assembled, rather than a straight paint for dirt, mix sand and elmers glue together and "paint" onto dio where you want dirt texture. I use my fingers. very messy. (sand polyfoam first so it adheres better) Once it is fully dry, paint it with a watered down paint the color you want. allow dry, do several coats. It will dry hard as hell and solid. Eddie, Obi, and a few others have dios I did dirt this way. I did it on plywood for theirs. Just add your greenery when done.


edit - can use sawdust instead of sand.

 

[Obi-Shinobi]

Here are a few examples, some being Medd's.

Medd mini-dio, using sawdust for ground cover -

Medd medium-dio, using various grass and natural elements for ground cover -

One of my earlier dios, using model train grass and gravel for ground coverings -

 

[MMorelock66]

You have never seen insulation foam recommended for diorama uses? Where in God's name were you looking?