Volcanic/Lava Diorama

[Gwyndor]

As the title says I would like to build a volcanic themed diorama soon!
I have only experience with forests and deserts so far, so I thought I'd get some tips before I start.
Maybe one of you guys has tried to build a diorama of similar nature in the past and could give me some advice and tips on the building process.
Like what's the best way to simulate lava streams or make volcanic rocks.

Much thanks in advance!

[random_dinofan]

Hello!
I personally never did a vulcanic diorama but I've seen a video on YouTube where somebody made a lava base for a custom Kenner-style Carnotaurus.
The channel name is "Ted Brothers" and the video is titled "Kenner-style Demon Carno Custom".
He makes the base at around 2 minutes into the video.
Hope that helps

[Lizerd]

Well, in actual dioramas I really don't know much. However I did have a few volcano birthday cakes and I can get a rough idea from them. For your base try plaster on something like a picture frame or Styrofoam. For the actual volcano I used an actual mold for a volcano, so you could possibly make one out of some clay, fill it with plaster and put it on the terrain. For lava you could try say fake water and painting it a dark red. That's my guess hope it helped.

[Gwyndor]

Hello!
I personally never did a vulcanic diorama but I've seen a video on YouTube where somebody made a lava base for a custom Kenner-style Carnotaurus.
The channel name is "Ted Brothers" and the video is titled "Kenner-style Demon Carno Custom".
He makes the base at around 2 minutes into the video.
Hope that helps

I recall that video but had forgotten about it until now! Thanks for the tip, I#ll check it out again!

[Gwyndor]

Well, in actual dioramas I really don't know much. However I did have a few volcano birthday cakes and I can get a rough idea from them. For your base try plaster on something like a picture frame or Styrofoam. For the actual volcano I used an actual mold for a volcano, so you could possibly make one out of some clay, fill it with plaster and put it on the terrain. For lava you could try say fake water and painting it a dark red. That's my guess hope it helped.

It gives me some inspiration and ideas. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me

[Lanthanotus]

Depending on which style exactly you'd like to realize with your diorama, I'd go with a plaster/cement base, thickly painted with glue and dekced with volcanic sand, or coarse sand which you paint black if volcanic sand is not available for you. Volcanic stones for further decoration are usually available either in pet shops (aquarium decoration) or hardware stores as fillings for gas powered barbeques. For the lava I'd recommend either Gesso or a thick glue that can be sculpted while hardening and which will be painted in hues of red, yellow and orange. Without any electrics (LEDs or such) the whole "glowing" (if desired, not all lava glows, though) effect will rely on a strong contrast between the lava and the surrounding area.

[Lizerd]

No problem 

[Gwyndor]

Depending on which style exactly you'd like to realize with your diorama, I'd go with a plaster/cement base, thickly painted with glue and dekced with volcanic sand, or coarse sand which you paint black if volcanic sand is not available for you. Volcanic stones for further decoration are usually available either in pet shops (aquarium decoration) or hardware stores as fillings for gas powered barbeques. For the lava I'd recommend either Gesso or a thick glue that can be sculpted while hardening and which will be painted in hues of red, yellow and orange. Without any electrics (LEDs or such) the whole "glowing" (if desired, not all lava glows, though) effect will rely on a strong contrast between the lava and the surrounding area.

These are some great tips, thanks! I'll definitly try to find some volcanic sand online and gonna check the local pet store for aquarium decoration. The idea for the lava sound neat too

[spinosaurus1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SQFgu3RHNM

[Newt]

People who paint fantasy miniatures might be a good source of info - there are a lot of fiery demons and what not out there with lava-like features. If you made a fairly runny plaster mixture, you could drizzle it from a spoon to form pahoehoe textures. Rough stones can be made by making a slab of plaster, allowing it to fully cure, and then smashing it (place it in a plastic bag before smashing so the pieces don't go everywhere).

[Lanthanotus]

People who paint fantasy miniatures might be a good source of info - there are a lot of fiery demons and what not out there with lava-like features. If you made a fairly runny plaster mixture, you could drizzle it from a spoon to form pahoehoe textures. Rough stones can be made by making a slab of plaster, allowing it to fully cure, and then smashing it (place it in a plastic bag before smashing so the pieces don't go everywhere).

Thought of that too..... if you, Gwyndor, got a gamesworkshop near you, you'll sure find help there from either the clerks there or the players/customers. They often do workshops on painting figures and landscapes for their Warhammer stuff.

[Lizerd]

Definitely head to a gamesworkshop. A 2 hour visit there taught me more about techniques such as dry brushing, washing, outlining etc then I had ever learned about painting in school. They are a great place to learn on painting.

[Gwyndor]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SQFgu3RHNM

Thanks for the link, Ill definitly check it out

[Gwyndor]

People who paint fantasy miniatures might be a good source of info - there are a lot of fiery demons and what not out there with lava-like features. If you made a fairly runny plaster mixture, you could drizzle it from a spoon to form pahoehoe textures. Rough stones can be made by making a slab of plaster, allowing it to fully cure, and then smashing it (place it in a plastic bag before smashing so the pieces don't go everywhere).

That is a awesome idea. I would need to find a shop like that tho, since I live on the countryside, i think the next one will be quite far away.

[Gwyndor]

People who paint fantasy miniatures might be a good source of info - there are a lot of fiery demons and what not out there with lava-like features. If you made a fairly runny plaster mixture, you could drizzle it from a spoon to form pahoehoe textures. Rough stones can be made by making a slab of plaster, allowing it to fully cure, and then smashing it (place it in a plastic bag before smashing so the pieces don't go everywhere).

Thought of that too..... if you, Gwyndor, got a gamesworkshop near you, you'll sure find help there from either the clerks there or the players/customers. They often do workshops on painting figures and landscapes for their Warhammer stuff.

Seems like a good idea indeed. Maybe I'll have some time during my next vacation

[Gwyndor]

Definitely head to a gamesworkshop. A 2 hour visit there taught me more about techniques such as dry brushing, washing, outlining etc then I had ever learned about painting in school. They are a great place to learn on painting.

That sound very promising! The more I hear about it, the more I want to visit one of these

[Lizerd]

If you want I can show the result of my visit 

[Gwyndor]

If you want I can show the result of my visit 

I'd love to see it!

[Lizerd]

Right here we are

A individual storm cast eternal 

[Gwyndor]

Right here we are

A individual storm cast eternal 

Looking good! I am not that much into painting minis, but Ive done a few so far