Tutorial: How to build a terrain base for your WW1 or WW2 diorama (1/35 scale model)

How to build a dirt road terrain base for a WW1 or WW2 diorama using XPS foam, air drying clay, acrylic texture paste, and acrylic paints. In this tutorial we build a simple dirt road with a broken wall which is ideal for military vehicles or figures based in World War 1 or World War 2. The terrain can be used with a specific model or as a background/backdrop for photographing your finished models.
Ways to support my channel:
Patreon: / modelnerd
KZbin membership: / @modelnerd
Amazon store: amzn.to/370Fk7H
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/mode...
Instagram: / model.nerd
Music: www.bensound.com
License code: AB3RIBYM5MBKZVFJ

[@andylaurel8449]

Coffee stirrers for floor boards...brilliant!

[@ModelNerd]

Yep - they work better than lollipop / popsicle sticks as they're not quite as wide and are a little thinner.

[@DreamBigBuildSmall]

Thank you for this detailed tutorial. As a new diorama builder it is great to see how things are done rather than just the finished product. I will definitely be trying one of theses soon. 😃

[@ModelNerd]

Glad you enjoyed it! Good luck with your build - and have fun!

[@markedwards4616]

Some handy hints and nice finish.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks!

[@the-primered-thumb]

Thanks mate, never tackled a diorama before ,I'll definitely be liberating some of your ideas, happy modelling 😉👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks! Good luck!

[@markfergerson2145]

That basic setup could represent pretty much any terrain from beach to desert to farmland to jungle to mountains with just a few tweaks.

[@ModelNerd]

Definitely!

[@philRminiatures]

Cracking job on the ground, wall...and vehicles!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Phil!

[@Callairs]

Thanks !

[@ModelNerd]

@@Callairs thank you!

[@lesthiele4921]

That was a great base idea, it could even be used for modern day, with a great big tank sitting on it, best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Les. Yes, I guess it doesn't need to be limited to WW1 and WW2 at all.

[@paulbervid1610]

Great work

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Paul

[@manningjackson2723]

Excellent mate. Love your tutorials, I’ve learnt a lot thanks 👍👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you mate - I'm glad it was helpful

[@foreverplastickits138]

*A basic base but it can do so much and it's so easy to build ... nice work and thanks for this tutorial MN!*

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - glad you liked it!

[@joebloggs8636]

Great job!Thanks for taking the time, in process of my very first Diorama,great hobby in the twilight of my life😊

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you - I'm glad you liked it

[@christianrudolph1138]

Nice base for the difrent Models ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@user-ox3lp5fs4j]

Oh,thanks. Great job~

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@tomtruesdale6901]

Great video on a fine-looking diorama base. Thank you for doing it.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you - I'm glad you liked it

[@larrydee8859]

Great Work Lad! Very good detail, and texture work.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks! This base will be used for my upcoming WWI ambulance diorama.

[@harmlesscreationsofthegree1248]

Very neat process 🙂 thanks for sharing

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for watching!

[@robbo1068]

A very informative tutorial, MN and the final product having multi uses....could be used in many different eras and situations. Depending on the type of scene an addition of a tree, telegraph pole or sign could provide some height to the diorama.......so a very versatile product :)

[@ModelNerd]

Definitely! Lots of space at the front for figures or other accessories like you mention.

[@DutchDaveModels]

Nice tutorial for a base. Thanks for sharing ✨👍✨

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Dave!

[@JuergenGDB]

Excellent, looks fantastic. Thanks again for these great videos.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks!

[@junnyq23]

Crushed it Bro! Keep up the awesome work.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you!

[@woodchild2093]

Thanks for that excellent video. It gave me some great tips

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for watching - I'm glad it was useful :)

[@felippejonsson6078]

Good tutorial, i will save this. Now you got a new sub 🍻

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you mate!

[@anjkovo2138]

👍👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@TheBrengunner1944]

13:08 is that a wagon from the 43rd Wessex ID ?

[@ModelNerd]

I'm not sure to be honest - I can't remember and I no longer have the instructions

[@TheBrengunner1944]

@@ModelNerd No problem.

[@robertjensen1438]

Just some words for the old algorithm.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for watching

[@user-zw7gp8xb8f]

🤝👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@greg8938]

Looks great and well timed, as I’m about to make a couple of diorama bases 👍🏻

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Greg - I'm glad it was useful.

[@MVeminor7]

Hi MN, I lie the brick wall. It has a lot of character. I also like the versatility of the base. Everything looked good against it. Nice Work mate.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate!