Friday 12 April 2013

Heroes for Wargames: Dioramas

Today's post sees us delve back into the essential Oldhammer reference book, Heroes for Wargames for one final time. Now most of us love dioramas though few of us have the skill and patience to produce one. The Oldhammer Movement has yet to capitalise on the concept though I expect it's only a matter of time until we see one or two emerge, hopefully in the style of those presented below. I have selected two of my favourite dioramas from the book, both of which I have never seen online before.

Here goes...


I am not sure who, or whom, is responsible for this battle scene but isn't it impressive? I love the way the colours all merge into each other so it seems that you are looking not at a miniatures display, but an oil painting by some old master. Now if I was to put money on those behind this model, I'd say the Perry's. What do you think? The buildings are also evocative and really remind me of the more recent plastic Fortified Manor, so perhaps Dave Andrews had a hand in this one too. Anyone know for sure?


Next , we have a box diorama by Colin Dixon. Loads of classic sculpts in this one too. I always loved the ambient storytelling that goes into displays like these. You find yourself inventing your own stories as you study the piece.

Love 'em!

Orlygg

12 comments:

  1. I'm glad you posted these two photos, they have been a couple of my favourite war gaming dioramas since I bought my copy of 'Heroes for Wargames', back in the 80s. It is so good to see these images again. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad someone other than me appreciates them!

      Delete
  2. Not only you. I loved these pictures of Dioramas in WD as a boy and with no other sources ... used these pictures to develop my modelling/scratchbuilding skills. I would spend hours looking at pictures trying to work out how they had made stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've had the book for many years and also love the top one especially!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Simply great. As you have said, these have a storytelling style that makes them unique. Love them!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Really beautiful pieces. The bottom one reminds me of the MMV warhammer quest diorama, but less clean and more grungy-dungeon! Wonderful fun, thanks for posting.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Top one is photographed from a different angle in an old White Dwarf back when Dever and Chalk did the painting column. It actually says who was involved in knocking it up, Mssrs. Blanche and Andrews definately mentioned alongside a few others.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Found it - WD67

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/Coopdevil/White_Dwarf_067_Page_45x_zps19eb0db6.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  8. Orlygg, I know this is a tall order but I know you will take the bait, give us an article on all OldHammer Dioramma's, get scanning hehe
    J

    ReplyDelete
  9. some of those dioramas back then were amazing. the undead attack on dwarf strong hold was probably my favourite from back then. always awesome looking scenarios, sadly not something you see as much these days on such a grand scale

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have spent countless hours studying these two dioramas. With the top one, it seems every time I look at it, I recognise a figure hidden away that I hadn't noticed before. I never knew there was another angle of it from an old White Dwarf. Which issue is it? I spent years wishing I could see it from another point of view. I just love the backdrop and when I see some of the spectacular sunsets where I live on the Isle of Wight it always seems to remind me of this marvellous piece. God, I'm lost in a romantic haze now!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Fantastic. Dioramas used to be my favorite part of white dwarf back in the day

    ReplyDelete