A Diorama Inspired by Louis & Clark
Recently, I read the book The Essential Lewis & Clark edited by historian Anthony Brandt. It is an abridgment of the journals kept by the two adventurers throughout their exploratory journey from May 1804 to September 1806. I found the story to be fascinating and inspiring. Shortly after finishing the book, my wife and I took a river cruise down the Columbia and Snake rivers which traced part of the route these explorers took. This was a special treat. There was a lecturer on board who gave great insight and details through lectures each evening of the cruise which I thoroughly enjoyed. From all these stories, site visits and experiences the idea of a diorama formed in my mind. What you see in the photos below is the construction of a scene depicting two members of Lewis & Clark's Corps of Discovery seeking information from some friendly Mandan Indians about planning the next phase of their journey to discover a passage to the Pacific Ocean.
The Build
The figures in this scene come from some kits by Master Box in their Indians Wars, 17th Century series. Some of the figures are modified to be appropriate to this diorama. They are in 1/35 scale. The stream bed and cliffs are carved from rigid, closed-cell extruded polystyrene (XPS). Many other products were used to detail the scene and are described in the photo captions. In addition to building and painting the figures, which I have done many times before, it afforded me an opportunity to try some brand new techniques. The realistic modeling of water is difficult and I had never seriously tried the latest products designed to accomplish that. I was able to employ two of these products to make a stream of running water. I had also never used a static grass applicator before. Although there isn't a lot of grass in this diorama, that tool was used for the first (but certainly not the last) time to good effect.
The Build
The figures in this scene come from some kits by Master Box in their Indians Wars, 17th Century series. Some of the figures are modified to be appropriate to this diorama. They are in 1/35 scale. The stream bed and cliffs are carved from rigid, closed-cell extruded polystyrene (XPS). Many other products were used to detail the scene and are described in the photo captions. In addition to building and painting the figures, which I have done many times before, it afforded me an opportunity to try some brand new techniques. The realistic modeling of water is difficult and I had never seriously tried the latest products designed to accomplish that. I was able to employ two of these products to make a stream of running water. I had also never used a static grass applicator before. Although there isn't a lot of grass in this diorama, that tool was used for the first (but certainly not the last) time to good effect.