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Dioramas Sept 7, 2021 14:08:15 GMT -5 via mobile Captain McKay, JC Motors, and 1 more like this

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Post by AttitudeLegendCollector on Sept 7, 2021 14:08:15 GMT -5

I’m a bit behind the times with Dioramas and very late to TMNT movie figures - I only previously collected WWE legends/flashbacks.

I’ve seen the SDCC exclusive NECA TMNT Diorama from a couple of years back and I really like it but obviously it’s tough/expensive to get now…I know NECA have released another very similar street scene but it’s not quite as dark/street dirty as the TMNT exclusive so not quite what I wanted.

Basically I’ve decided to give making dioramas a go…I actually want to make one for my Super7 masters of the universe figures (movie line), probably the best figures I own…then try a turtles one if it goes well. I saw this guy’s - which inspired me, turned out so good! But he doesn’t really go into what tools and equipment/paints that he’s using.

I just wondered if anyone else had any experience of making them? Any idea what tools and equipment are vital? Any tips? Any ideas on size and thickness of foam boarding to use? Best paints?

Captain McKay
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Dioramas Sept 12, 2021 18:02:40 GMT -5 pitfallharry219 and Eric like this

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Post by Captain McKay on Sept 12, 2021 18:02:40 GMT -5

Sept 7, 2021 14:08:15 GMT -5 AttitudeLegendCollector said:

I’m a bit behind the times with Dioramas and very late to TMNT movie figures - I only previously collected WWE legends/flashbacks.

I’ve seen the SDCC exclusive NECA TMNT Diorama from a couple of years back and I really like it but obviously it’s tough/expensive to get now…I know NECA have released another very similar street scene but it’s not quite as dark/street dirty as the TMNT exclusive so not quite what I wanted.

Basically I’ve decided to give making dioramas a go…I actually want to make one for my Super7 masters of the universe figures (movie line), probably the best figures I own…then try a turtles one if it goes well. I saw this guy’s - which inspired me, turned out so good! But he doesn’t really go into what tools and equipment/paints that he’s using.

I just wondered if anyone else had any experience of making them? Any idea what tools and equipment are vital? Any tips? Any ideas on size and thickness of foam boarding to use? Best paints?

Okay, so I've made a bunch. The best basic materials I've used are the following -

- 1" foam board/project panels from Lowe's or Home Depot
- Sharp box cutters/x-acto knives
- ceramic magnets (NOT the sticky buttons, they don't really hold)
- hot glue for the magnets, Elmer's glue or other school-type glue for smaller details.

For paint, you can use the cheap acrylic stuff you find at Walmart for a dollar a bottle. They're versatile, and you can water them down if you want to create paint washes, or you can mix them if you want to do dry brushing, etc.

For detailing stuff, there's TONS of options. Dowel rods work great for pipes, trading card top loaders work well for windows (with a little work), etc. Too much just to list here.

I have a few videos that showcase some of the builds I've done, if you wanna check them out. Some old, some recent.

I also have a series on my channel called "Between the Frames" which is basically everything and anything to do with the animation/collecting hobby, including some diorama builds. This video has a good building at about the 4:30 mark -

And this one includes a massive building at about the 9:10 mark -

Lastly, I can't recommend Al Figures' YouTube channel enough. His channel taught me 90% of diorama building basics, and from there I learned a lot on my own through experimenting, trial and error, etc. Check his channel out because he has some more tutorial stuff which is pretty friendly toward new builders who want to learn.

Last Edit: Sept 12, 2021 18:05:05 GMT -5 by Captain McKay

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AttitudeLegendCollector
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Joined on: Jul 9, 2015 11:14:50 GMT -5
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Dioramas Sept 13, 2021 4:05:20 GMT -5 via mobile Captain McKay likes this

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Post by AttitudeLegendCollector on Sept 13, 2021 4:05:20 GMT -5

Sept 12, 2021 18:02:40 GMT -5 Captain McKay said:

Sept 7, 2021 14:08:15 GMT -5 AttitudeLegendCollector said:

I’m a bit behind the times with Dioramas and very late to TMNT movie figures - I only previously collected WWE legends/flashbacks.

I’ve seen the SDCC exclusive NECA TMNT Diorama from a couple of years back and I really like it but obviously it’s tough/expensive to get now…I know NECA have released another very similar street scene but it’s not quite as dark/street dirty as the TMNT exclusive so not quite what I wanted.

Basically I’ve decided to give making dioramas a go…I actually want to make one for my Super7 masters of the universe figures (movie line), probably the best figures I own…then try a turtles one if it goes well. I saw this guy’s - which inspired me, turned out so good! But he doesn’t really go into what tools and equipment/paints that he’s using.

I just wondered if anyone else had any experience of making them? Any idea what tools and equipment are vital? Any tips? Any ideas on size and thickness of foam boarding to use? Best paints?

Okay, so I've made a bunch. The best basic materials I've used are the following -

- 1" foam board/project panels from Lowe's or Home Depot
- Sharp box cutters/x-acto knives
- ceramic magnets (NOT the sticky buttons, they don't really hold)
- hot glue for the magnets, Elmer's glue or other school-type glue for smaller details.

For paint, you can use the cheap acrylic stuff you find at Walmart for a dollar a bottle. They're versatile, and you can water them down if you want to create paint washes, or you can mix them if you want to do dry brushing, etc.

For detailing stuff, there's TONS of options. Dowel rods work great for pipes, trading card top loaders work well for windows (with a little work), etc. Too much just to list here.

I have a few videos that showcase some of the builds I've done, if you wanna check them out. Some old, some recent.

I also have a series on my channel called "Between the Frames" which is basically everything and anything to do with the animation/collecting hobby, including some diorama builds. This video has a good building at about the 4:30 mark -

And this one includes a massive building at about the 9:10 mark -

Lastly, I can't recommend Al Figures' YouTube channel enough. His channel taught me 90% of diorama building basics, and from there I learned a lot on my own through experimenting, trial and error, etc. Check his channel out because he has some more tutorial stuff which is pretty friendly toward new builders who want to learn.

Wow, thanks for the detailed response man, appreciate you taking the time. Will watch all the videos and see what I can pick up! Something I’m not sure on it’s the ‘washing’ and dry brushing, not really sure what it is but looks like it makes a real difference for detailing, hopefully this is in the videos somewhere.

Captain McKay
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Dioramas Sept 13, 2021 10:38:50 GMT -5 via mobile AttitudeLegendCollector likes this

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Post by Captain McKay on Sept 13, 2021 10:38:50 GMT -5

Sept 13, 2021 4:05:20 GMT -5 AttitudeLegendCollector said:

Wow, thanks for the detailed response man, appreciate you taking the time. Will watch all the videos and see what I can pick up! Something I’m not sure on it’s the ‘washing’ and dry brushing, not really sure what it is but looks like it makes a real difference for detailing, hopefully this is in the videos somewhere.

I can’t recall off-hand, but basically -

Washes are for filling in and darkening cracks, crevices, etc, with a watered-down paint that makes it easier to get inside those areas. Dry brushing is just taking lighter and lighter colors and layering them as you go along to give some depth to a wall, a base, etc. I’d suggest Al Figures again for the how-to stuff, I believe he covers this kinda thing more specifically than I do in videos!

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