Using figures in dioramas....

[Mister Twister]

Do they help or hurt? I have always had mixed feelings about using them in my dios. What do you feel about their use and feel free to post pics of how you use or have used figures in your diorama scenes.Lets see those figures!

Edited February 26, 2012 by Mister Twister

[ARTEMIS1759]

Figures are good as long as they got the right pose or work with the rest.

[heepey]

Done right they seem to always add interest to a dio. I just can't seem to find the ones I need,

[Eshaver]

heepey

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  • Location:Hardin, MT
    
    Posted Today, 03:48 PM
    Done right they seem to always add interest to a dio. I just can't seem to find the ones I need,
    
    
    ARTEMIS1759
    
    
    
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    [*]Location:ND

    [*]Full Name:TJ

    Posted Today, 03:40 PM

    Figures are good as long as they got the right pose or work with the rest.

    Gentlemen, both are VERY Good points !!!!!!!!!!! Ed Shaver

[Mister Twister]

Here are a few more from my collection....Thanks and post some of your figures!

[Mercman]

With out using figures in this one, be fairly boring.

Imagine a race track with no one in the grandstand.

BTW these are all 1/87th scale.

[GTMust]

I don't seem to be able to get the hang of painting figures, even though I've read web site tutorials and many books (including Ken Hamiton's) on the subject. In my opinion, if the figures are realistic, use them... if they're not, leave them off. Nothing can spoil a dio more than badly painted figures.

You seem to have mastered it, Darryl in your first two pictures........... but (and excuse my candour), the two figures by the "Green Elephant" don't help the scene (In my humble opinion). The car could be a great dio, just by itself with the backgound.

But they're still a lot better than I can manage!

Junior..... Your dios definitely need figues as you have done. And at 1/87 scale, it's a little easier to overcome the lack of detail in them. So in this case... definitely add figures!

Tony

[KHamilton]

Great topic...and one that's been argued for a long time. Tony hit it when he said a poorly done figure can ruin an otherwise wonderful diorama. Before using a figure, ask yourself if it adds anything to the story you're trying to convey. If it does, make sure the pose is right (even subtle features like the way the head is turned or where the figure is looking), and that the clothing fits the era, the scene and the story. Most of all, make sure the figure isn't shiny.

I generally like to leave figures out of a diorama just because I feel the scene has more atmosphere (or maybe even a little mystery) without them. But, sometimes you NEED a figure to get the point of the diorama across.

So what's the answer to Darryl's question? "....It depends........."

Here are a couple of examples where I used figures:

One in HO scale:

[Eshaver]

Tony, if you look close on the Right , that's a Prepainted "G " scale railroad figure . The skinny guy walking over to the steps is the gangster from the M P C 28 Lincoln, the guy sitting is again, a pre painted piece I bought in a doll house store .

Ed Shaver

[jerseyjunker1]

Great topic...and one that's been argued for a long time. Tony hit it when he said a poorly done figure can ruin an otherwise wonderful diorama. Before using a figure, ask yourself if it adds anything to the story you're trying to convey. If it does, make sure the pose is right (even subtle features like the way the head is turned or where the figure is looking), and that the clothing fits the era, the scene and the story. Most of all, make sure the figure isn't shiny.

I generally like to leave figures out of a diorama just because I feel the scene has more atmosphere (or maybe even a little mystery) without them. But, sometimes you NEED a figure to get the point of the diorama across.

So what's the answer to Darryl's question? "....It depends........."

Here are a couple of examples where I used figures:

One in HO scale:

those are greatKen

i think the caption fot the guy and girl in the yellow chevy should read

i should have got a panel truck

[ARTEMIS1759]

Got more pics or a thread of the bomber station?

[Sixties Sam]

I use figures in all my dioramas. As much as we all like cars, life is about people. Putting people in the scene makes it a slice of life, not just a model display. I use mostly G scale model train figures. Some are not extremely realistic, but if I put them in shadow, like in this diner diorama photo, they still work to make a decent scene, I think.

Sam

[Mister Twister]

Wonderful pics fellas....In all the pics listed the figures do help tell the story. Sam your diner dio could pass as a picture of a real place on a sunny afternoon and placing the figs in the shadows is a nice idea.

[ronr]

I think they help tell the story, but as Ken said It all depends:

Now this one just would not be correct without the Flagman and drivers

Another where they help tell the story line

[KHamilton]

TJ: Here's a link to the Bomber album on Fotki:

http://public.fotki....ves/the_bomber/

Sam: That Diner photo is terrific. The figures add a lot to the scene and the photo itself is a really nice "Slice of life" snapshot.

Ron: Ditto. The figures look like they really belong there. Like I said, "it all depends"!

[gasser59]

Great thread topic and even better pictures. I built a shop dio a number of years ago and felt it really needed a few poeple in it to help tell the story.

The trouble light just wouldn't be the same without someone on the creeper and every shop office needs an office girl behind the desk.

[Mister Twister]

Great pics guys....Great dio Brad and the office girl is fantastic. Tony mentioned in an earlier post about painting figures and that seems to be a point where lots of builders get hung up. It is hard to paint facial features with out proper magnification like a magnifying lamp. I recently purchased one and I truly don't know how I have managed all these years without one. It has helped me have more detailing ability in small painting areas (like faces) and other ways as well.

[Mister Twister]

A few more shots where I have used figures. I guess....Looking through my Photobucket albums that I have used my fair share of figures over the years. I had forgotten about some of them. As some of you know, most of my subjects are drag racing related.

[GTMust]

I work mostly in 1/32 scale, which perhaps make figure painting more difficult... at least for me! So I really admire the 1/87 scale figures posted by Ken and Junior.

Thanks for the tip about the magnifying lamp, Darryl. Where did you get it? By the way...... your dios are grrrrreat!

Tony

[Mister Twister]

I work mostly in 1/32 scale, which perhaps make figure painting more difficult... at least for me! So I really admire the 1/87 scale figures posted by Ken and Junior.

Thanks for the tip about the magnifying lamp, Darryl. Where did you get it? By the way...... your dios are grrrrreat!

Tony

Thanks Tony, I got my lamp at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon. It swivels and has a 3x magnification. Its been great for detail painting small parts....Helps the eyes also! You can find them on Ebay as well at various prices.

[whale392]

With respect to the intent of the original post: figures are a swinging door. If done correctly and with realistic poses and finishes, they are a great addition to any scene. If done poorly or in an unnatural pose, they can ruin an otherwise great scene. The human body and all of its' textures and subtle nuances are some of the absolute hardest things to capture correctly in scale.

Edited February 28, 2012 by whale392

[randx0]

I completely agree with Bradley,and I will add consistency in detail is also important . if you have a detailed engine that looks realistic but the figure has racoon eyes...... forget about it.

[Chuck Doan]

My one and only figure can just be seen to the right. He can barely be seen thru the door of a garage in 1/4" scale.

There have been some excellent points made here regarding figures. I haven't gotten interested in figure painting-it is a real art.

[Joker]

@ Chuck..

Wow..just Wow..

Your Fotki albums are insane !

thanks for posting the link

[GTMust]

Chuck....... WOW! That's a diarama? I thought it was a painting by a highly skilled and talented artist!

Pheeeeenominal!

Tony