Gettting started to building your own terrain or diorama scene? Here are the basics you will need to know and get. Firstly terrain and diorama are 2 seperate things. But the tools and materials are mostly the same. That is what we will be covering here in our article.
Before you start…
- Planning
- Gathering Supplies and Materials
- Selecting the tools
Planning
Decide on what you want to build. Either a diorama or terrain piece. A diorama is a “”cut out” or a slice of a larger scene. What and how much representations that will appear on your diorama will depend on the scale of your point of interest (which is usually your model tanks or figures).
Terrain pieces are stand alone items that you can use to add onto a larger collection of terrained landscape. Most common examples are stones and rock faces or a hill piece which you can use to add on to a forested landscape. Terrain pieces mostly when made are less detailed but are favoured by wargamers for its flexibility and durability.
Gathering Supplies and Materials
You are going to need the following basic materials. I’ve split the list into 2 columns between MUST HAVE and OPTIONAL (but good to have).
Must Haves
- Extruded polystyrene (Blue Foamboard but in some places sold in Pink)
- Fine Sand
- Cork ( the ones you use to put a hot pan on top)
- Wall Plaster
- Latex or PVA glue. (Latex is better)
- Artist’s Arcylic Paints (Browns and Beiges)
Optional
- Rubber rock Moulds
- sifted grit of various sizes
- tufts and flocking (usually greens of various shades)
- casting powder
- 70% Isopropanol
- clump foliage
- model trees / armatures
Tools
Various tools will make your life easier in tackling the build. For example, without a painting knife or paint scrapper, you might resort to using your fingers and brushes to spread the modelling or wall plaster. While the job will eventually be done, the quality of the output will greatly differ. Listed below are some of the tools which will make terrain/diorama making a pleasant one.
