Then how to create the boards... I thought about getting pre-built diorama mats from Build-a-Rama, but those are expensive and I figured I could create my own using materials I had on hand. Nothing really needed to be fancy, just something that looked like dirt and which could hold the artillery model, figures, and other accessories. To create the boards I did the following:
1) Cut out and glue sections of heavy cardboard together for the base.
2) Use duct tape or something similar to cover and smooth the edges of the cardboard.
3) Spray paint the cardboard on one side with a natural base color (green, tan, etc.)
4) While the paint is still wet, start sprinkling sand/dirt onto the wet paint & press down with a paper towel; let dry.
5) Shake and brush off excess dirt that did not stick.
6) Spray the board heavily with a spray lacquer, like dullcote, and sprinkle on more dirt. Let dry. (A spray glue would work even better).
7) Shake and brush off excess dirt that does not stick.
8 ) Repeat this process until a suitable layer of dirt is affixed to the board and little to none is coming off when handled.
9) Make minor terrain features like pitting, small craters, etc. by pressing into cardboard in between lacquer sprays.
10) Glue on terrain features like pitting, rocks, pebbles, rubble, sticks, foliage, etc.
11) Spray a final coat of lacquer and allow to dry thoroughly.
12) Place artillery model, figures, equipment, other accessories onto board. May wish to use poster putty to hold things in place but allow easy removal or movement.
Again, my process is nothing elaborate, but provides a diorama baseboard that looks real enough... I made several dioramas using the process described above and am happy with the results. Enjoy the pictures
German PAK-40 75mm Gun Diorama:
German MG-34 Machine Gun Anti-Aircraft Diorama:
US M1919 Machine Gun Sandbag Emplacement Diorama:
German FLAK-36 88mm Gun Emplacement Diorama:
