Diorama Tutorial, Boardwalk/ Tiki Bar Diorama

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Using a small saw and miter box at 45 degrees, cut off one end of a 1/2 x 1/16 inch wood strip. Using the purple line on the base as a guide, mark the wooden strip and cut the other end at a 45 degree angle as well. Make sure you cut the wooden strip to look like a long trapezoid.

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Cement the wooden strip to the base. It is important to get the first piece down in the correct position, this piece will determine the position of every other piece on the base. I suggest that wood glue be used for this first piece rather than a cyanoacrylate glue. Wood glue allows the piece to be repositioned for a longer period of time. Be careful though, too much glue will warp balsa wood. Place a large book over the strip and wait for about 10 minutes for the piece to secure before adding more strips.

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Use the first piece as a guide when cementing the remaining pieces. Be sure to cover the entire base.

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Be wary about the changes that need to be made as successive pieces are glued. Simply trim off the excess pieces when the cement dries.

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To trim off the excess, simply turn the base over so the strips are on the bottom. Place the base on a cut-proof surface, and using a sharp hobby blade cut the protruding pieces. Be sure to sand the edges with a block sander and fine grit sand paper.

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To this point, the base appears below. Note the different grains of wood that appear on the base; this gives it a more realistic look. Some companies manufacture a single piece of wood that is made to appear like individual planks. While these may be more convenient, they will never be able to duplicate the look of individual planks.

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Here is another look at the base. The planks are uneven in height. If I were looking for a dining room floor look, I would sand the planks to make the surface even. However, because this is supposed to be outdoors, the planks would eventually become weathered and uneven under the weight of people, carts, and other things.

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To weather the boardwalk, I decided to use wood stains. These are oil-based stains not the water-based ones. Balsa is thin and very sensitive to moisture. I plan to use the following MinWax brand stains: Red Mahogany, Colonial Maple and Jacobean. A link to the different stains from the company appear below. Feel free to use your own combination.

http://www.minwax.com/products/wood_stains...ish.html#Colors

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Here is the base stained with Colonial Maple. I used a single coat and immediately rubbed off the excess with a paper towel. I did not want a dark, rich coat as I am going for a more weathered appearance for the boardwalk. Notice how the different wood pieces absorb stain at different rates.

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Here is the same base highlighted with Jacobean and Red Mahogany. I used a disposable brush and painted streaks on the board then quickly rubbed the stain into the base. The Jacobean stain was used more in the recessed areas where the wood planks meet together. The Red Mahogany stain was used intermittently over the base. This was done immediately after the Colonial Maple stain was applied. Do not wait for the base to dry completely otherwise the stain may leave hard lines rather than a natural weathered look. Be sure to rub the highlight stains vigorously and quickly after application. Letting the stain sit for a period of time may leave hard lines.

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To complete the base, I decided to use some enamel paints that will be dry-brushed onto the surface then rubbed into the base. These are Testors brand paints in Flat Olive, Flat Black and Flat White. Remember, I need to use enamels since the base was colored with oil-based stains.

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An equal amount of each color was added to a disposable container -the bottom half of a cut soda can- and mixed well. A disposable brush was then used and the color was lightly dry-brushed over selected parts of the based. The color was immediately rubbed in with a paper towel. Work quickly and in small sections at a time. If the paint thickens while in use, thin with paint thinner or mineral spirits. After the colors were added, I decided to lightly wet a paper towel with acetone and rub the entire base to blend the colors; this created a driftwood appearance on the surface. Again, be sure to rub in the direction of the wood grain.

Its' getting dark, more later.

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