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This diorama also serves as the cover of A World of Dioramas by Per Olav Lunda. Exhibited at Rydals Museum in Sweden
Learn more at https://youtu.be/8HE9JSPDka4
So what can a model railroader learn from this diorama? Many things indeed if one just takes a bit of time to look.
First, notice the imputed action of the boy at the center of the scene struggling with dogs striving to take his sausages from him. While the general rule of modeling is to show people at rest since the model itself is stationary, this rule was in a sense broken here but it works. So, break a rule when there are compelling reasons to do so. Another rule broken is that of injecting humor into a scene. The general rule is that humor can wear thin after a time - in his case the humor is a bit subtle and for some reason, it seems not to wear thin - so it is more than acceptable, it is wondrous.
Next, notice, the bulletin board to the left (above the resting bicycle). The various messages - of varied ages and posted in a bit of a hurried fashion, tell a story that there is life here.
Third, notice the open door at the rear of the scene. This device has three purposes: it affords us a look inside the structure and tells a story of what is going on inside - the room's primary purpose can be assumed to be for storage. Its final purpose is to introduce some bright colors in the form of the dartboard. This spot of color draws the viewer's attention deep into the scene.
Fourth, notice the large sign to the left, by the brand it is displaying, we get an idea of the place and era that is being depicted. Also notice that unlike what we find in many model railroads, the sign's orientation is integral and natural to the scene; it is not facing the viewer. Too often model railroads place sign and make them of a sign and legibility aimed at visitors rather than aimed at achieving a realistic result.
Fifth, notice the diorama's thin display stand. The stand seems to be purposedly weathered and heavily at that. This continues the story told within the diorama itself - a run-down scene. Consider that your valance and fascia can impart knowledge about the scene being modeled.
Sixth, the clothes hanging to dry and the little boy resting at the top of the stairs tell us that this scene is a mixed one - a combination of business use and residential use.
Seventh, one might also appreciate the restraint exercised by the diorama builder. While there is ample clutter, the builder resisted the temptation to get carried away and indulge in exaggeration.
Eight, notice the gentle introduction of poverty in the scene, the stairs to the second floor have no handrails.
Lastly, notice how well the workman resting on the bumper of the auto under repair is rendered. Here Lunda exercises the general rule that figures are best modeled at rest rather than in active poses frozen in time.
So if we were to summarize the main techniques used in this diorama, we must conclude that they are threefold: restraint; pulling the viewer into the scene; and effective judicious use of color to make everything in the scene pop. Everything in this scene is applicable to model railroaders of all scales, era, and place.
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