1:32 Mill diorama

[james_coldicott]

Started a new topic here rather than in dioramas as this is very much a work in progress...

This one was started after Nick (Shropshire Lad) gave me a bag full of bricks- I wanted to have a go but as you'll see there is a real knack to neat work that Nick has and that I don't!

The idea behind this is a semi derelict Mill that was served by a 2 foot gauge railway which passes over the millstream that emerges from a covered waterwheel.

The footprint is a mere 120mm x 320mm (4.75 x 12.5 inches) and the diorama is built in an old drawer body that happens to fit an old picture frame I have. I have a few of these light boxes and they are all lit for indoor viewing as shown in first photo but the detail photo's are all taken outside.

There is so much still to do... door hardware, scenicing etc. etc as you'll see but have a little spare time the rest of this month so am going to try to finish it.

[james_coldicott]

Detail shots of the door- the ugly join will be covered by a piece of angle iron- all modelled off  a real door I photographed in Cornwal

and the millstream- much more plant life to be added here and am working on a heap of foxglove (digitalis) flowers which are pretty common here in the UK

[james_coldicott]

Observant viewers may have noticed the Kingfisher next to the stream. My 4 year old is a budding ornithologist so there are sparrows, bluetits, greattits and a collared dove so far- more to follow including a woodpecker. Working on a scattering of mice a squirell and a couple of river voles but finding the mammals a little more challenging.

The sparrows and smaller birds are 2.5mm long the kingfisher is slightly overscale at 5mm long.

[james_coldicott]

...last one for now- a picture of the window. stripwood bonded to microscope cover glass- the space behind the glass is 6mm, 0.25 inch deep so the boxes are all really shallow but wanted to give the impression of the inside of the building.

Next is the door hardware and more plants.

As ever, any advice/ comments welcome.

James

[Design-HSB]

James, very nice realistic model scenery.

[artizen]

This is really good stuff. Nicely observed details. What other gems have you got lurking in picture frames?

[Carlo]

James -
This diorama is excellent, and inspirational!
I too would love to see more of this type of diorama.
It seems to be where I am heading in 7/8" and 1" scale,
and hope to have photos to share soon.
Carlo

[Chuck Doan]

I like it too James. The birds are a nice touch, and the windows with clutter are easier to do than a full interior.

[TRAINS1941]

James,

Very nice.  Thye brick work looks fine to me as does the scernery.

Jerry

[shropshire lad]

James ,

   I love this little box/drawer diorama , I can't remember if you were working on it when I came to visit . You had so much unfinished stuff it is hard to keep track .
  Your brickwork is fine , if a bit wavy , but I would be inclined to fill the mortar joints that you missed as they don't look convincing . Especially the ones in the arch over the window as it would have collapsed years ago if it had been a 1:1 arch . I would also make the brickwork a bit less bright by darkening the ends of some of the bricks a few shades , just to give a bit more variation in colour and a bit of age .

The one thing that does chime with me is your tie rod end . If it was me I would have it the other way around so that it looks like an " S"  and not a back to front "S" . But that is only me being pedantic .

  You have also given me an idea how to proceed with my own 1/12th diorama as I was scratching my head as to how to finish it off . Put it in a drawer . Simples !

  Looking forward to seeing some more vegetation . I will be experimenting in the near future in how to make 1: 12th docks . Already found a source for daisies and dandelions so I shall be good to go .

  Looking forward to seeing some more photos in the not to distant future ,

   Nick 

[james_coldicott]

Thanks all for your comments so far.

Yes, Nick, it was well under way when you came. We actually discussed mortar as the plaster has shrunk away from the bricks- was already on my to do list but glad you mentioned it. Am finding that taking photo's is key in the process of refining my model making efforts. The tie rod end started out as an 'S' shape but didn't work so well compositionally so I reversed it- it just looks better somehow. Also the tree is awful- got big plans for it and it is just plonked into place for the photographs. It'll be removed and worked on much more before it is finished.

Going to press some rain gutters and downpipes tonight 

James

[Mr Potato Head]

I love it ! I am not quite sure about the door?? But I love it!
Keep going!
MPH
FYI We forget about 80% of what we learn everyday

[finescalerr]

Artistry. -- Russ

[Alan Rees]

Wonderful. I could spend hours enjoying those details.

[Gordon Ferguson]

Very nice James, I especially like the window detail.... very effective