The Moses Diorama

As promised some time back, this great looking set is now being transformed into a diorama. I looked at pictures of the old movie The Ten Commandments for inspiration.

An Ikea frame from the Ribba Range was selected. The frame has depth where the photos can be recessed from the glass front. For my purpose, this depth overlap creates mechanical strengthening for the box sides which have to be created for this diorama. The final steps later in this diorama will make this point clearer.

I selected white card for the background. I cut a suitable size based on the area of the display and added the estimated depth of the diorama. I cut 4 slits at the corners and then curved the edges inwards, allowing a good degree of overlap. The whole was glued using white glue and held in place by clips.

I decided that the scene was to be lifted up and created a stage from cardboard.

White putty was then applied to smooth out the overlapping edges and the awkward corners.

Finally a layer of gesso was applied over the whole surface to create a toothed undercoat for painting. Light sanding was applied to achieve a smooth layer.

Broken pieces of putty were added to the front to create rubble and heighten the sense of false perspective.

The scene was painted to create an evening look, with the last rays of the sun disappearing over the horizon.

Rocks and rubble were painted on the sides and more rocky cardouts were added.

A tryout stage placement with the figures is tested. The figures are bent backwards to allow for vertical alignment when placed on the sloping base.

Last scene with Moses standing on a rocky hillside. Notice that the rock has been cut back to reveal more of the diorama. The picture frame is being made and decorated now. More to come.