Who is AF Diorama
I made this website neither to show the pros and cons of military equipment nor to make a case for which nation has the better or worse resources. This website is simply a curated collection of my favorite scale models which I have constructed for my amusement and for which I have also produced both fictional and historical dioramas.
The idea of taking large-scale items and reimagining them in a small-scale scenario is very interesting to me. Most of the scale models I have made are from the Modern Warfare era, which is the one I like the most, although I am also working on World War II models. I have lots of models waiting to be assembled and will be updating the website as I go.
I offer custom terrain building services, because can be build from scratch with different materials, I have all the tools to create them and all season foliage for different scenarios along molds to create awesome realistic mountains and cliffs.
The Builder
Hi, I’m Alejandro.
Studying war and military equipment from World War II to the present and how technology, intelligence and engineering have transformed the path of the world is where my interest in scale models originated. I respect the warriors behind these machines and their fight to stay alive in hell. As an average civilian who is an artsy person and a fan of industrial design, scale modeling has been a creative way to explore land, naval, and air vehicles.
Planning
To me outstanding scale models are all about the details, all about presenting a small-scale version of reality. And so looking for the best materials is an important first step. Having background knowledge about the model being built and an imaginative idea of the scene surrounding it allow me to focus my search on formats, supplies, and tools that are the best suited for the job
Most of the time, I will make a couple of sketches of varying angles of the model to decide what has the best ‘curb appeal’; I also decide if I will move forward with a straightforward out of box, or OOB, model or if I’ll incorporate any modifications. Historical resources must be researched before working on the model; I use magazines, books, and online resources.
Using color selection accuracy, painting techniques, and weathering methods are also essential. In one way or another, I have painted for a long time and it’s not the part that is most complicated in my process, so instead I concentrate on finding the best approach for the specific model I am working on.
Not all models are made equal; there are some brands that are more detailed than others. I try to pay attention to this and have found that the brands I prefer are those that are more accurate because the quality of the plastic and cast is better and other which are easier to assemble.
Like a lot of modelers out there, I have several boxes waiting in line, and I will usually use a spark of interest some photo or documentary ignited in me before choosing what I’ll work on next. After that, it’s all about investing the time to plan and enjoying each part of the process.
Development
Let me start by admitting that I am one of those people whose first step is to not follow the instructions on the leaflet. I have found a process that works best for me. First, I study the manual thoroughly to get an idea of what needs to be done. Second, I cut out and clean all the pieces of each step (not sprue) and group them in a labeled Ziploc bag per step; this allows me to look at each piece and become a little familiar with it. Third, I start assembling the model but leave out parts that will need to be painted/weathers separately from the main structure. Fourth, I do not prime the model but I do give it an initial, light covering with the main or base color; it’s important to mention that it is a light covering on purpose, so as not to lose any minute details. Fifth, I slightly remove the paint from the parts on the main structure where I will have to glue something on in preparation for that part I will have to glue on. Sixth, I start painting smaller details on the main structure and set any decals. Seventh, I start weathering the model depending on the diorama I have planned.
When I’m working on models in 1/72 scale that I really like and that can be built using different configurations, sometimes I like to make a couple of additional versions set in different scenes. Whether it requires constructing pieces from scratch or buying upgrade kits, it is a fun process to make different versions of the same model. I particularly like to use photoetching in steel, nickel and brass because the material gives a look that is a lot more realistic.
Finally, it really is useful to spend some time learning about the model you are building and what is looks like in real life and where it has operated and what it can do. If you familiarize yourself with it, it will make the assembly process less painful, faster, and better. Personally, I like the 1/72 scale the most as they don’t take up too much space to display and several of them will fit into a single diorama, making the overall piece more exciting.
Diorama
Creating a scene to bring context to the model is very important for the impact of the model and it’s one of my favorite things about scale modeling. From flora and fauna to manmade structures, constructing a diorama sets the scene. If you are taking a historical or fact-based approach, make sure to study where and how the model you assembled has been used. But if you want to get inventive and prefer a fictional setting, the sky’s the limit for any landscape you want to create.
I use high-quality products from brands like Faller or Woodland Scenics because I have found that quality does impact realism. I keep a wide inventory of foliage, snow, bushes, accents, turf, grass, and ballast of different colors and textures. For terrains, I use rock molds and lightweight materials to make supporting under structures for mountains, valleys, waterways, caves, and other land surface features. I also use Testors Custom Decal System to make my own decals.
Dioramas definitely breathe life into a model. I have found that you can be as creative as you like with this. I’ve repurposed items I’ve found in nature; I’ve reused recyclable materials from around my house. Mind-blowing dioramas make the model special.
Thanks
Thanks for visiting my website and learning about my scale model projects. Make sure to visit my network Alejandro Finy Infosite if you want to check out some of my other projects in graphic design, web development, skateboarding and music.