I will put the fence's gate with a couple of stairs on the side near where you see the car in this pic.I have left the L/H facade blank for now until I finally decide on the garage/shop idea.That little area at the bottom of the fence and the lane way will be done as a stone wall because I would like to retain the angled look.

nother pic

This is where I am now in 1/16th scale.The airplane is 90% finished and the old wrecked Model T is done.Next will be to build the wood base and step the different levels accordingly.Still a long way to go!

Which backyard?
Yesterday:

I am still stuck on which backyard to put the airplane in??? I waiver back and forth but ...........I would like to settled this in my mind before proceeding on even though the final decision could be put off until after I build the 1/16th base.
As soon as I put the clothesline in the other backyard I started to see the possibilities of the "airplane in the middle yard "arrangement.It also opens up a lot of possibilities for the garage/shop idea.The neighbors pristine backyard with the clothesline will now be in more direct contrast to the rest of the diorama and would help to emphasize the chaos/order sub-storyline.


Today:

Well I finally asked for help on this.So why not go to the top ? I have admired Shep Paine and his work for years,in fact it was Shep that inspired me to get in this stuff in the beginning.But this is the first time that I have ever reached out to another artist on such a basic question of the overall composition .
He advised me that the airplane should go in the middle yard but elevated on saw horses for visibility.I was planning to use jacks on the wheels anyway but that just confirmed that part of my plan.He likes the airplane center stage but he really did not expand too much on why he felt this way but you know what? I think I will trust his artists eye on this one.It sure hasn't failed him in the past. Thanks Shep!

Who is Shep Paine?





For you younger whipper snappers out there!

nothedr post

I bought this dog-eared copy new in 1980 and have poured over it now for 30 years.This was Sheps first book and it just blew me away!He has produced many others since all equally as good but more specific in subject matter.
For 20 years I was just too busy with other art forms to really get into it.I stopped teaching decorative birds and retired 10 years ago and have since devoted all my time to dioramas.
Shep's profound influence on my work began with HMS Victory when I decided to actually crew it and tell a story back in the 80's.Since then it has been all WW1 airplanes.Unfortunately Shep never did anything in our genre but it really doesn't matter as the techniques are all about the same.
I especially like his shadowboxes of historical subjects,they really are the best that I have seen.
What really interested me the most was his use of models for telling a great story.The "Art" in his dioramas is in the storytelling .This is what really got my attention and has captured my interest in art ever since.

nother pic

nother pic

Modules 1,2&3.
This is the first three modules of six that will eventually have to be made.The total area of these three modules is about 56" long by 31" wide.They will be screwed or bolted together from underneath the floor.Each floor will be glued down at a later date.Module four will be the back lane way and five and 6 the buildings facades.The eventual overall all size will be 62" X 43" plus the case.The wood is hand picked #1 grade pine with old,well aged birch plywood.I used carpenters glue and 2" nails to hold it together,screws will be added later.
The next step will be a couple of coats of lacquer,the first coat 2/3rds lacquer and 1/3rd lacquer thinner and the 2nd straight lacquer.Make sure that all the end grain soaks up lots of lacquer in order to seal it well for future water based materials and for protection against warping.
I designed this in modules for ease of tear down and build up on site and for ease of transport without being too heavy .All glue lines follow fences or the buildings outer edges so not to be visible when it is finally put together.
So now the fun can begin ! Oh,by the way my neighbor built it for me.

Wonderful John.

I like your mockup alot, its really taking shape.

If I may ad a little suggestion, you might consider giving the buildings a little bit of angle to the borders of the diorama, as it often gives a more dynamic feel when the items on the base isn´t parallel with the baseborders.

Cheers/Jan

Hi Jan! That is what I plan to suggest to the museum that the whole diorama be placed at an angle to the case.Thanks for the input.

My mock-up comes to the rescue once again! I wouldn't now even attempted a model of the complexity without one.I just poured a little sand and all the landscaping problems just disappeared.I don't even have to change the fences along the property lines.Now all I have to do is build it in 1/16th scale.

This is module # 2 screwed together but not glued .I don't plan to finally glue anything until I am absolutely certain it won't have to be taken apart again.The individual modules will remain as separate entities and will be bolted or screwed together.
I plan to add more screws to the flat plywood, they will be sticking up at various levels to act as anchors in order that the sand/glue mix will be securely fastened to the plywood.