MODELLTEICH
Mediterranean scene - diorama construction
I really enjoyed building my first diorama (see “Swedish scene”), especially planning and constructing the buildings according to my own ideas. After a vacation on the Adriatic, I decided to build a second diorama with the same dimensions and on the same scale. The scene was again to combine the elements of water and land, so the choice fell on a harbor scene reminiscent of the picturesque bays of the Adriatic. The first step was again done on the PC, where two different residential buildings made of light-colored stone with colorful windows and doors were designed. This time, too, the house facades were to be given as much depth as possible, i.e. doors, shutters, frames, window panes and frames were realized as individual layers. The materials used were cardboard, paper and plastic film. A special feature of the larger of the buildings was a passageway for passers-by.
Left, facade elements before assembly. Right, the two buildings are almost finished
After completing the two buildings, I started planning the diorama. I wanted to create an interesting scene for the viewer with different levels: the sea, the quay wall, the buildings and the rocks should create a coherent and varied picture through their arrangement. The basis is a piece of hard cardboard, which will later form the seabed in the harbor. A second layer of the same material was drawn on top of this, slightly raised. I took care not to create parallel edges, so that the landscape appears more interesting and natural. The space between the two levels is largely hollow so that lighting can be installed later.
The two basic levels of the diorama can be seen. Trial placement of the buildings
The buildings were placed on a trial basis and their future location marked out. Behind the row of houses, a narrow alley will later be created, lined with a small garden in the corner. After the final planning details, the color scheme for the diorama was created. The water was to capture the familiar clarity of the Adriatic coast, so light color gradients were used. The quay wall has already been installed and the next step will be to pave the streets and design the rocks.
The seabed in the harbor has been shaped, it's starting to look like the Mediterranean coast
The entire foundation on which the houses stand was clad with a paving of light-colored slabs, and the quay wall was given a border of slightly contrasting colored slabs to create a little more variety and structure. Rocks were carved out of polystyrene and fixed in place with special adhesive. The same material was used to create another level in the rear right-hand corner of the diorama, which will later form a terraced green area separated from the square by a retaining wall. The polystyrene structures were then covered with model plaster and finished using a small modeling spatula.
The as yet unpainted rocks form a contrast to the geometry of the buildings
Once the plaster was completely dry, the rocks were painted. This involved working from dark to light, in various shades of ochre and beige. Finally, the rocks were washed with a very highly diluted mixture of water and rust-brown paint and then brushed with a dry brush and white paint. The washing penetrates into the cracks and depressions, while the brushing accentuates highlights and edges. This treatment makes it possible to create very realistic rocks. The garden at the back of the diorama was primed with brown paint and then coated with white glue. As there were no suitable sand and earth tones to hand for the flocking, we quickly reached into the spice cupboard and mixed various spices to create a powder in a matching color. To ensure that the applied powder is really fixed, it is worth drizzling a tincture of water and white glue over it after application.
On the left the finished rocks, on the right the garden area decorated with spices before landscaping
Once again, transparent construction silicone was used to create the sea. When it comes out of the tube, it has a gel-like consistency and is easy to shape with utensils. After a first layer of silicone, a small fishing boat and a small buoy (head of a pin) as well as some algae were placed on the rocks, then a few millimeters of silicone were applied again. After about 24 hours, the material has hardened to the extent that it can be dry-brushed with a dry brush and a little white paint. This creates realistic water effects. The quay wall was given a few stone bollards made from sanded wooden spikes. The lighting could then be installed from below before the two buildings were fixed on top with a little superglue. Last but not least, the diorama was edged with a black border. I am very pleased with the result and it always makes me long for the Adriatic when I look at it.
