Customer Reviews

How to Build Dioramas

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Shep Paine is an absolute master in the art of model and diorama construction. In this top-notch "how to" book, Paine lays out all the basic and advanced techniques that will help to improve the skills of novice and professional alike. The text is detailed, yet easy to understand. Best of all, the author uses numerous photos and diagrams which make his techniques easy to follow. Among the topics covered are realistic paint schemes, weathering, figure posing and super detailing of minature buildings. The best feature of the book, however, is the endless array of photos which depict Paine's beautiful dioramas. Shep's figures and dioramas look so real, that sometimes you'll swear you're looking at photos of actual soldiers, planes, tanks,etc. His work is stunning! I love this book and because of it, I have become a better model/diorama builder. Highly recommended.

Shep Paine is a master modeler who will inspire modelers of all skill levels. Not only does his book cover the basics of dioramas, it also has chapters on weathering and painting, including a superb chapter on painting figures. The book is well organized, covering the stages of design, layout, materials and presentation, and his style of writing is clear and informal. Nothing too technical here yet will still appeal to both expert and beginner modelers. If you have built models, this book will help you put your model where it belongs - in your own diorama.

I recently bought 4 modelling books together with a friend of mine. This was by large the best of them. It covers not only diorama techniques, but also weathering, figure painting, hands-on projects and some (for me) original ideas. Highly enjoyable!

Beginner? Expert? Somewhere in-between? This book is perfect for you. The very best modelling technique book anywhere, ever. You'll refer to it again and again. My only wish was that it was in spiral-bound so that I have an easier time at my building table referencing the face-painting section! If you have any interest in building scale models AT ALL get this.

I purchased this book along with the Verlinden Vol 1 and I must say that there is a big diffrence in information. Paine has much more explanation of the planning and building process than the Verlinden books. It covers a lot in just one book.

I am trying to get back into modelling and found this book. I am truly happy I bought it. It covers all the basics and gives the model builder all sorts of practical and understandable ideas and hints. If you are interested in modeling you need this book!

I learn a lot from this book even after my 20-year scale modeling
career. This book is well-organized for every level, from new-comer to old kid in town. Every modeler's new idea can be inspired from this excellent book. This book can be extended to a textbook for scale modeling under existing chapter structure. I would like to express my highest regard to the author.

somewhere in the world it is hard to find books for modeler, so this can be more useful. personally i like his diorama because of his ability of imagination. they would give you pleasure. thank you

Being a Naval Modeller,it's difficult for me to find books about my hobby. When I decided to buy Shep's book.... WOW! It made me think about what is my real interest: Building Naval Dioramas (even though there are not many naval topics in the book). It gives ideas for any kind of modeller, and more important, it gives inspiration with its astonishing photos!

Sheperd Paine has developed the hobby of modeling and diorama building to a high art form! The book is full of his secrets about these subjects. Even if I was not a modeler I would buy the book just to look at the dioramas he has build and displayed in the book. They are exceptional!