How to Build Dioramas: Aircraft, Armor, Ship, and Figure Models

by Sheperd Paine

Design, build, and detail dramas from the ground up. Includes tips and techniques on weathering and converting and painting figures to add details that make a diorama look real, then learn to display any type of model in a realistic setting.

2nd Ed. New photos & projects lend a fresh look to this updated classic by a leading experts in the field. In addition to tips on painting, weathering and detailing for everything from figures to aircraft, this remarkable work offers lots of ideas for displaying military models.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1991

About the author

Howard Sheperd "Shep" Paine was a military historian and a collector of militaria who probably is best known for the more than three decades he spent as a modeler, sculptor, miniature figure painter, and champion of the diorama. Paine arguably did more than anyone else to forward the unique hobby/art form of military miniatures around the world, through his own pieces, his numerous "how-to" hobby books, and his championing of the "open system" of judging in use at many of the most prestigious modeling shows and exhibitions today.

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute classic of the craft. If you grew up making models, military or railroad or otherwise, this book is a treasure. The author is a tremendously skilled painter, rendering shadow and highlight detail using a six phase model figure face painting process. Incredible details, nerd nirvana.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating helpful guide on modeling. Read it mostly for tips on building terrain for miniature war / fantasy games.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book - it is great for the theory with picture examples. Once you read about it, I then can watch a clip on YouTube to see it in action. It has been a great way to learn.

[J. Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good starter book -- it was for me. Very dated now; there have been lots of developments in the world of scale model building over the past 32 years -- new materials especially.

[Vittorio Arena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uno dei pilatri del moderno modellismo, un grande libro di un grande maestro!