Step by step on how the Cave diorama was made.

The original idea was a ply insert to the shelf, that could be removed. This would allow for alternative inserts with different scenes. This didn’t work because it was too flimsy and removing it would wreck the scenery structure. It did however provide a good base for the next layer to stick to. (The slot at the top back is for future led lighting.)




The initial idea was to use a decorators foaming sealant to creat the scenery structure. It was easy, light, cheap but unfortunately didn’t look very cave like. We couldn’t think of what to coat it with to improve the appearance - pause for six weeks of angst with several options considered including throwing away and starting again and suggesting that we didn’t want a cave anyway!


We spotted this on Amazon. It seems to be an advanced papier-mâché - stickier, stronger and quicker to use. We could also use with poster paints, which are water based, cheap, easy to mix and use. We felt that it would not be flexible enough to make as a removable insert so it was screwed in place.


This is after the first coat. Just the effect we wanted. Furthermore the accidental splatter on the “floor” was the effect we wanted. The complete coating was about eight  sessions of 10 mins, over two days. We used our fingers, in surgical gloves, to spread the modelling compound. The main problem was how quickly the it set. We had two bags and one set in less than 5 minutes. I suspect it was old stock.




This is it painted. We waited about 2 days before it was completely it was painted in two coats. The main problem was little voids in the surface that showed up as the paint dried, so another two touch ups was required.

The whole thing is quite robust and will stand a few knocks without damage.

Brilliant tutorial

Rogue-Trooper wrote:

Brilliant tutorial

Thanks Cool Chris. It was my dad who typed up the tutorial.

i agree! very clever stuff and expertly executed! It looks absolutely fantastic!

Blondeactionman wrote:

i agree! very clever stuff and expertly executed! It looks absolutely fantastic!

Thanks for your comments Dal.

Nice of you to share with us Alex .

Chip wrote:

Nice of you to share with us Alex .

It’s no problem Chip.

Nice work, Alex and Other Dave! Very clear description and work-in-progress photos! You guys knew going in that we would want to know how you made this, didn't you?

I'm impressed that the cave walls are assembled on wood backer boards. I was not expecting that sort of quality.

Was the paper mache mix pressed over the expanded spray foam, or did you remove some of the spray foam first?

And designed for future expansion with interior lighting - very clever!

Great work. Thank you for sharing the step by step and clear directions!

SCU_HQ wrote:

. Was the paper mache mix pressed over the expanded spray foam, or did you remove some of the spray foam first?

We trimmed the foam a very small amount, but most of the foam was left unchanged. The whole design was by accident really but turned out quite well. The foam gives the major shape and volume, the paper mache gives the detailed shape. This means the structure is light and doesn’t crack and also dried quite quickly. As I said the rugged floor was also by accident. We’re going to use paper mache mix on the floor of the next two scenes!

Prof Gangrene Fan wrote:

We’re going to use paper mache mix on the floor of the next two scenes!

Yes, the effect on the floor is quite believably realistic! I would like to try something similar to make a "natural" floor myself!

Great tutorial and a great Dio, I'm sure it will have a lot of uses. Well Done. ;-)

SixthShooter wrote:

Great tutorial and a great Dio, I'm sure it will have a lot of uses. Well Done. ;-)

Thank you very much for your comments SixthShooter.

Thank you for the tutorial Alexander!

It turned out great.

Daryl

Excellent effort! 
Now how about a light coat of black or dark brown with a stiff brush then wipe it off the high areas while it's still wet?
 It will stay in the hollows and grooves, really bringing out the detail and provide a good shading and contrast.
Just like moss and dirt in between the rocks.

TNshooter wrote:

Thank you for the tutorial Alexander!

It turned out great.

Daryl

Thank you very much for comments Daryl.

LeStryge wrote:

Excellent effort! 
Now how about a light coat of black or dark brown with a stiff brush then wipe it off the high areas while it's still wet?
 It will stay in the hollows and grooves, really bringing out the detail and provide a good shading and contrast.
Just like moss and dirt in between the rocks.

Thanks for your suggestions but I’m leaving how it’s painted thanks LeStryge.

The cave looks great ..

Rustygun wrote:

The cave looks great ..

Thank you very much Rustygun.

Prof Gangrene Fan wrote:

Thanks for your suggestions but I’m leaving how it’s painted thanks LeStryge.

Fair enough Alex. It's your cave.

Looks great Alex... The expanding foam was a brilliant idea. I'll have to remember that one. We've got a can of that we used some time ago. If it is still good, perhaps I could make a cave one day too...

Good job!

londonroadhog wrote:

Looks great Alex... The expanding foam was a brilliant idea. I'll have to remember that one. We've got a can of that we used some time ago. If it is still good, perhaps I could make a cave one day too...

Good job!

Thanks for your comments Colin.