Does anyone write down the dioramas/ ideas the have for future builds?
For instance if you want to do a railway diorama in the future so you write down all the kits you’d need and sketch out a concept?
I do this subconsciously with buying one kit then saying oh I need xyz and this would be the perfect diorama. So far I have a few market garden ideas that have one kit associated with it that I own but I don’t want to increase my stash because of the room in my storage area.
Absolutely, I keep a notebook on each project if for no other reason than to refer back to when I look a the completed project and say to myself " how did I do that last time "?
Yes; I too keep a notebook with ideas and sketches of a project. I also trawl Scalemates for info on models and figures alike - and manufacturers’ sites, to identify figures that will lend themselves to it, or more likely (for Cold War scenarios) conversions. I am also constrained by the size of base I use, which although at times curbs my ideas, also makes me think of the construct a little more.
I’m actually quite kind to myself in that if a project comes out at say, roughly 70% - 80% as I envisaged, then that’s good enough(!)
@BootsDMS would love to hear some of your Cold War dioramas, are they what if?
@Seanmcandrews I need to do that as well. There’s a couple times where I’ve done similar things and forgot the technique.
My habit so far has to buy multiple kits and group them together as an I’ll eventually get to this for my dio ideas. I unfortunately find myself changing my mind and becomes less enthused for one reason or another the start another project unrelated to the kits I put aside.
I’m trying to keep my bases somewhat small as I am starting to be intrigued with building my own resin plastic display cases to protect the dioramas.
Great topic. I’ve recently taken to logging/journaling progress and ideas in a “watercolor journal”. I document ongoing builds- which often spawn future ideas and jot it down. I chose the WC journal so I can drop a paint sample on the pages to remember what I used and more specifically capturing any mixes/ratios. I’ll TOTALLY forget otherwise. 
I do keep an online notebook of my ongoing projects, and I often note down ideas for the next project in line as well.
I like logging my work because it helps me figure out my next steps, develop my ideas, explore some thoughts, and, especially, elaborate on my mistakes!
I’ve had dozens of ideas bouncing around inside my head (God knows there’s plenty of room in there). Some are rich in detail, and others still in need of further development. I only wish I could build as fast as I can imagine.
@HAVSUM206 that’s a great idea I didn’t know those were a thing I’ll have to try that.
Seems like a common theme is everyone has ideas for this and that. My problem is i used to read a ton and by the time I’m done with a book I’d have a new kit to go with it because it gave me an idea.
@franchmodel
I used to do that on Instagram but it got tedious and I wasn’t as detailed with the information as I should have been.
@Ddek I feel like i do this as well. Sometimes you just write down what you want to start with then go along with adding the details. Kind of reminds me of a shep paine sketch in his diorama book, he was showing how to maximize space and what to do about it.
OK Greg, one What-if included; I’ve skipped the small scale stuff I sometimes dabble in (apart from the Corps HQ in 1/300); note that in fact all my models, even when displayed singularly, get the same treatment to help set the vehicle in context, so lots of mini-dioramas I suppose; anyway, for what it’s worth:
And lastly a few smaller ones depicting me as I went about my day job as a young soldier - a very long time ago now!
@BootsDMS those are all great. I forgot you were the one that did the T-64s moving up with the Soviet figure directing them.
I used ChatGPT for fun. I took some photos of a diorama I haven’t finished yet and of the kits I was thinking of using, and it gave me an image and a list of tips to follow. The final result and the generated image are quite impressive.
A great subject ! Much like Ddek I’ve got lots of ideas bouncing around my empty noggin. Every new kit gets a vignette like base or a full blown diorama clunking around my skull.
2 ideas that I actually put down on paper, did cardboard mock ups for dimensions & layouts were a MiniArt Tram on a city street with a sidewalk then commercial buildings behind it complete with a sidewalk cafe’ (thanks MiniArt for the figs and delivery van and a myriad of other things to bring a cityscape alive)
Item #2, a repair depot diorama… Once again MiniArt fueled my imagination with their repair van, Amusing’s Strabokrane (SP?) and a RFM Tiger with interior. That kit is on a slow boat from China. This one has a good chance to get done.
BOOTS…That’s a great idea trawling Scalemates for figures & accessories AND writing them down !
Sean, That’s what I do too. Box my idea kits together and pull out that when I’m ready to start.
Guys, thanks for posting such great dioramas too!
@sgtchuck im really impressed with how ChatGPT broke that down for you. Even does call outs for the colors. Could you specify what brand you wanted to use?
@Ivanhoe6 Can’t wait to see what you come up with. I’ve wanted to venture back into miniart kits, my past experience has been hit or miss as I had one fall apart on me but it’s cause i was using a light duty glue. Those kits go up well just tedious. I’ve definitely thought of getting there diorama in a box sets with the two kits and a base.
Inspiring works there, Brian. I like them all of course, but if I did have to choose one I think it would be this one…
As I say though, all are brilliant!
As and when I get ideas, I tend to scribble them down on some paper and put them in the box with the kit it’s intended for.
@Chepster how in depth do you go with your ideas?
I started recording ideas, plans, and sketches in notebooks a long time ago. Sometimes the notes are very simple. Sometimes I block out complex ideas. Maybe one idea in a hundred reaches some degree of completion.
Thanks Terry; there was a lot of building required for that one, but a lot of fun as well.
I recall in discourse with you at the time that if the Bundeswehr didn’t have the M103, then they should have, as it just looked so right in German guise!
It varies. Sometimes it will just be as simple as details of the unit, place and time I want to portray, while other times I’ll do sketches of the layout I want to achieve. And the holy grail is when I combine both!
