The nosy neighbor.

More figures?

This new composition will allow for more figures as well without disrupting the storyline.The main storyline is still front and center and is still the first thing the viewer sees without having to dig deeper into the diorama.I have removed some of the clutter from the various sight lines which also helps.
The two new figures are tucked out of the way of the main storyline behind the truck. Later I may add another military type as a chauffeur for our hero's ride home.
Barring any future snags I think that I can now call it done.My commitment to the museum is to have it ready for sometime in October this year,looks like I will make it OK.I hope !

new pic

It is funny sometimes how one thing leads to another.I decided that I just didn't want to do anymore doors and windows for the outdoor shed,been there done that and I had enough of that.
So I decided that now that the storyline emphasis has changed from auto parts to a lumber yard,every lumber yard needs an area for drying raw wood.To dry properly it must be open to the outdoors but protected from the elements.Raw hardwood like walnut or cherry requires it to be stored for 3-5 years to get down to the proper moisture content before it can be used for working.No doors and windows required here ,the more air the better.

Signs help a lot when trying to develop a story for the viewer.

Starting at the left side of the diorama and working toward the left front the first two storyboard pics are full of information.The signs tell us that what we are looking at is a operating lumberyard specializing in wood parts for cars(not many kids know that early cars had a lot of wood in them)We also learn about the family interest in aviation and that they have formed an auto-areo club and give flying lessons on the side.Below the windows I will put the motorcycle with the in-engine,air-cooled engine being removed.Those familiar with early aviation would know that these Henderson engines were often used to power early aircraft.There will be shutters made for these windows to keep out the blowing snow in the wintertime.

I decided to add a kiln to the upper storage area.

Anywhere you have a kiln you may need water near by,so I finally found a use for the water cart.

Ladder leading to the old hay loft now containing the wood drying kiln.

The boathouse.

Finished shed weathering.

Bad year for floods.

What might look a little overdone close up looks much better at a normal viewing distance.

Looks good.

Thanks Stephen.The end is finally in sight.I am getting anxious to get on to something different for a change though.

Those old patio glass table tops make for some great water shots.I am surprised that nobody has used them for ship model bases or photography.

The shed doors are finished and I have weathered the wrecked car.The R/H door makes for a nice separation between the two cars.
The car was also a future rebuilding project for Joseph jr when he returned from the war. But it has since suffered a bit from the elements.

On this latest diorama that I have been working on,I have only now just completed the story.The rest of the story was already worked out but the backyard of the grandparents was only finally figured out yesterday.
The time of year depicted is early spring .I thought of a Victorian gazebo of some kind but it was just too big and fancy and would have drawn too much attention away for the main storyline,the airman and his airplane.I then thought of a tool shed with a rake laying around ,a typical springtime chore in this part of the world.Then a few starter plants under a small glass box to add a little color.But I needed a little something extra for viewer interest.After much thinking about it I decided to use the gazebo roof that I had already underway before I changed my mind.I cut it in half and made two completely different things out of it ,a bird bath and a fishpond which I am working on now.The garden shed is also underway.Just these three items will take over a week to do working everyday but my personal guide has always been to put as much thought and work into the small everyday objects as the big fancy cars or airplanes.So here goes... Hope you enjoy watching these items take shape.This backyard has been one of the most difficult things to get right,to tell an interesting story but not distract from the main storyline.
I work this way with only a basic plan at the beginning and just let the story develop over time.This gives me the maximum of opportunity to changed things and also keeps it interesting for me right up until the end of the project.

I have found a cheap source of scale plywood as well as some preformed shapes that could be used for modeling.The largest pieces of plywood that I have found so far is the size of a standard tissue box.It is first quality clear wood about the color and consistency of basswood and It is available from about 1/64 to 1/4",some is quite stiff and some really pliable .Some shapes such as small bird houses or boxes make good starting points for scratch building or can be torn down for sheet plywood.I have also found some pretty nice dowels but no actual scale lumber yet. Cheers!