How to Make a diorama model

Choose a topic. A diorama model is usually a small scene made of many layers of material, depicting a subject. Come up with a theme or idea that you would like to model – it could be a scene from a book, a period of time, an example of an ecological environment or a group of animals/plants. Options for making dioramas are varied.

• The theme you choose will depend on the model size you want and the amount of material. A large theme will be difficult to represent in a small shoebox, and a specific theme will be disproportionate in a large setting.
• Consider how much material you have. If you want to make a model with an ocean theme but don’t have the materials to represent water or fish, it’s very difficult to complete.

Plan to make a diorama. Make a list of your model implementation ideas. What do you want the background to look like? Do you just use ready-made materials or print your own pictures? Do you need to buy extra materials to make the model or can you make use of what is available at home and in the garden? Summarizing ideas before modeling will help you create a more complete model.

• Do a rough draft of the model you want to make. Think about how to combine materials and layout objects.
• Try to prepare enough materials before starting to make the model. Keeping things tidy will make it easier for you to model instead, so you don’t have to rummage around in the process.

Select frame. Since the diorama model has many background layers, a box or frame with relative depth will be needed. With the basic diorama model, the shoe box or mail box can be turned around for use. Large diorama models can be used with wooden crates or frames glued to the box. You can use anything that feels like an open room to frame the model. ^[1]

• If you have a specific purpose in making the model, you can make your own wooden box to fit your model’s dimensions.
• Be creative in framing the model. For example, a diorama model representing a family or human scene can be used with a redecorated dollhouse.

Create background. You should make the model from the back to the front. As you do this, you’ll add several layers of detail and imagery to give the scene depth. The first is to make the background on the inside of the box. You can draw a simple scene or print an image to paste on. In addition, you can also collage photos from magazines to make wallpaper for the model.

• Don’t forget to add backgrounds to the inner edges and inner faces of the model.
• If you want, you can paint the outside of the box a different color to give it a finished look. This should be done before you add layers and images to the model.

Do the ground part. A real model would not be complete without the ground. Add details to the ground with paint or clay. Papier mache can also be used to create a mountain or hill effect in addition to a drawing in the background.

Add details. Add the detail layer and first objects behind and close to the edge of the model. In this step, you can also add large details like trees, rocks or some furniture. Start at the edge of the model as you will gradually move inward and forward as you work.

Complete the scene. Add a few details related to the scene to complete the background for the model. If you are creating a natural scene then add things like trees, grass, flowers, rocks, etc. You will do the same for other scenes – add whatever you want to complete the scene.

Add objects. Although this is not necessary, to make the scene more complete add a few small objects or patterns. For example, with a nature theme model, you can add an animal or insect model. You can hang something like a bird or a small plane from the ceiling using string and glue or a stapler. Some simple images can also be printed and collaged as objects for the scene. This is the final step in your model so make everything complete to your liking! ^[2]