Z-Scale Shorty Micro Diorama

[mags_minibuilds]

I want to share my first attempt of creating a Japan-inspired micro diorama layout with the Rokuhan z-scale shorties. This 7.5" x 6" layout is a compilation of scenes that I enjoy in Japan, no specific region or place in mind. It took me around 1 month of time (of any time that I have available). I weathered the buildings, scratch-built several parts (vending machine, bridge, railing, planters, and torii). I've attached some process photos too, as I know it helped me when I was modeling my layout to see how things were created. I loved working with DAS air drying clay for the brick ground and stone wall and it was my first time building with styrene which I really enjoyed. The most time consuming were the mountains, I wasn't too happy with the color of the mountains so I painted it over 3-4 times. So much was learned, trial and error, but it was a fun to make. I have plans on making a micro/cutout diorama for my n-scale B-Train shorties...

 

Edited June 2, 2021 by ZandT

[Cat]

Sweet!

[JR 500系]

That is very nice indeed! Thanks for sharing the making process! Esp. love 'The chopper' hahaha ~ The folliage and grass on the rock face is very realistic! 

 

May i suggest installing some figures? I feel that figures really makes the layout comes 'alive' ~~ 

[mags_minibuilds]

Thanks @JR 500系! I agree about the figures, I have 2 so far but I can add more. My eyes only tolerated hand painting 2 figures I’ll slowly chip at it or find some prepainted ones.

[maihama eki]

Very nice. I especially like how you created the stone surfaces.

 

Everyone who looks at this needs to measure out 6 x 7.5 inches to remind them how small that is!

[RMB]

Amazing work. Love this.

[Martijn Meerts]

If you told me this was H0, I'd readily believe it, and still think it's a great diorama.

 

[cteno4]

Yeah I thought it was n until I finally noticed the title, doh! Really nice job! Kudos.

 

jeff

[mags_minibuilds]

Here's a photo of the relative size compared to my two other diorama layouts - z-scale (left) and t-scale (right). The bottom layouts are approximately 13" x 17.5".

 

 

[RMB]

Amazing. And now we need close ups of the other two layouts please! 😊

[mags_minibuilds]

@RMB Here's some closeup shots of the layout I had created. The other is a Noch pre-formed layout so I hadn't done much on it besides from plopping accessories on top of it. The T-gauge set was created in 2012, but I've added several things to it within the last couple years.

 

Edited June 3, 2021 by ZandT

[mags_minibuilds]

I was happy to be able to carve out some time this week to paint a couple more figures. Added to the diorama to create more "story" to the layout.

[cteno4]

Really fun znt, love the back scene! Kudos

 

jeff

[Dinosbacsi]

What a cute layout! Really nice work, my man.

[gavino200]

Beautiful work. Do you use magnification when painting the figures? How did you make that grass? It looks perfect. Thanks for sharing!

[mags_minibuilds]

  On 6/4/2021 at 6:59 PM, gavino200 said:

Beautiful work. Do you use magnification when painting the figures? How did you make that grass? It looks perfect. Thanks for sharing!

Expand  

 

Thanks! Luckily my eyes are still ok and I work without a magnifier. What really helps for me is a bright light source (with a desk lamp) and a fine hobby paint brush, I use the Tamiya 87154 Modeling Brush (though I had just placed an order for the 87153 which is one notch finer, for future figure painting).

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10249766?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_content=10249766en

 

Around/inbetween the rails, I used Woodland Scenics 2mm static grass (with a cheesy $20 applicator):

https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/item/SGLG

 

On the mountains I use WS Fine Turf. I have 3 different shades of green and sometimes I mix the colors so there's variety in color to add interest.

https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/FineTurf

 

For the bigger bushes I use WS Bushes. If the pieces are too big, I break them apart into smaller chunks.

https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/GCBushes