Performing for Giants Diorama

[Mierot]

I'm taking the plunge and starting to work on a diorama for the Year of the Giants challenge. I imagined a street encounter between two bards and a music loving giant.

 

First, the cast of characters:

 

The Giant

Yephima

 

The Players

Liriel Silverlocks

Anwyn

 

 

And the setting, a street corner in front of a half-timber house and a fenced garden.

 

I created a mockup out of some cracker boxes to give me an idea of the overall scene, the placement of the figures, and, most importantly, the dimensions I need to work with.

 

 

This will be fun.

[Girot]

I love everything about this idea!

[ub3r_n3rd]

This looks very promising!

[Grumpy Cave Bear]

I like the idea.

 

Try putting the performers together on a raised stage, like a ledge or a retaining wall. You'll be able to tighten the composition, and have the performers and the giant make eye contact.

[Mierot]

Good idea, Grumpy Cave Bear! Getting the various sets of eyes in line is certainly part of the challenge. Yephima is looking at down at one angle, Anwyn is peering off in another, and Liriel looks like the key to getting them all working together.

[Jasonator]

Terrific Idea!

Music and the Giants, I really like the idea, and having the musicians raised on some sort of Dias

will centralize the action, and make the eye roam around them (especially as a trio)!

Can't wait to see what comes of this one !

Good Luck !

Edited April 11, 2014 by Jasonator

[Mierot]

Today's hobby time was devoted to building the upper story wall. Since there is no shortage of cereal and cracker boxes in my house, I am keeping that as the underlying framework of the building. The timber frame is made out of match sticks and basswood. The spaces in between are filled with cork. The final dimensions ended up being 55mm high by 120mm wide.

 

 

As you can see by the timber count and placement, I like symmetry. I can't help it. 

 

My initial plan was to use spackle (aka spackling paste, aka drywall putty) as a filler to form the plaster walls. However, as it turned out, the timbers are a little bit raised from the cork, so I may just make the cork itself the plaster walls. I could carve some of the cork into bricks or stone, if I choose to be adventurous, adding even more variety to the wall texture.

 

(Edited: I simply cannot spell on Sundays.)

Edited April 13, 2014 by Mierot

[klarg1]

This looks like a great project, Mierot. I can't wait to see how it progresses.

[Bane Of Humanity]

Giant: Oh, You both did so well. Im not sure which I should eat first...

[Mierot]

The building now has its three walls. I'm going to leave the back open, at least for now. I first added match sticks as beams beneath the second story wall, then glued the bottom story wall to them.

 

 

I cut sides to shape and glued them on. Right now the building is top heavy, so it easily falls forward. Binder clip, shown in the last pic beyond, to the rescue!

 

 

I also used some wider sticks as horizontal supports for strength, and to act as floor boards for the top floor. While they won't be visible in the final diorama, I haven't completely ruled out a lurking figure in the window.

 

 

The overall shape is set, so on to the major detail work.

[LittleBluberry]

That is a pretty awesome looking building so far, and I love the concept! 

 

If the logistics of getting Anwyn to look up at the giantess become problematic, you could always have her looking at Liriel.  Sort of like Liriel is the lead performer that Anwyn is taking her cues from. 

 

I'm looking forward to watching this progress! 

[Jonnlink]

Figures hiding in the building, peeking out of the window and doorway at Yephima seems like a wonderful idea! It gives more backstory to the piece. 
 

The town could be terrified of the giant, so Anwyn and Liriel step up to entertain the giantess and save the town! Making them heroes instead of mere street performers.

[galladril]

Yeah, this one is gonna be cool..... :)

[ub3r_n3rd]

This is amazing already, great job!

[Mierot]

The dwarves and gnomes were busy over the last few days. While the stonework is a little large, my cutting skills and hands are only somewhat capable, I think it fits the overall scale of the building. The stones were made out of cardboard and then glued into rows. Each row is 10mm.

 

 

I tried to align, with some success, a small piece and larger piece to represent the corner of a block. I'll use a bit of filler to clean up and smooth the gap between cardboard layers.

 

 

As you can see from the pics, the backing cardboard is curving a little bit. Attaching the building to a base, and some interior bracing with matchsticks, will true it up. I am not aiming to have perfectly square corners, though, as some curve does provide character.

 

The town could be terrified of the giant, so Anwyn and Liriel step up to entertain the giantess and save the town! Making them heroes instead of mere street performers.

 

Hmm...I like the thought of a BFG (big friendly giant) who appreciates a good song, but this does open up an interesting storyline possibility.