Dinosaur Diorama Planted Up

Robert Townsend’s huge dinosaur diorama is coming along nicely.  With the hard landscaping completed including the creation of a central waterhole, the next stage is to decide where and how to put the variety of plants and rocks to really bring the prehistoric scene to life.

It is important to choose plant models and other landscape features wisely, in addition, careful consideration needs to be given as to where to locate these items amongst the various focal points of the diorama.  For example, plants tend to accumulate around sources of water, so in order to give a model a more natural look, it is important to consider how the vegetation layout close to imitation rivers and ponds should look.

Planting Commences Around the Waterhole

Tropical plants beside the waterhole.

Picture credit: Robert Townsend

Developing a Dinosaur Diorama

Note the surface around the water source has been roughened somewhat.  Despite the action of the water, the constant traffic of large animals coming to drink at the waterhole would lead to a considerable amount of churning up of the mud surrounding the pond.  This churning caused by the movement of dinosaurs is called “dinoturbation”.  Sandstones and mudstones associated with dinosaur trackways often preserve evidence of damage to the ground caused by the passage of large dinosaurs.

Dinosaur Footsteps Sculpted into the Landscape

CollectA Williamsonia plant model draws attention to the dinosaur tracks.

Picture credit: Robert Townsend

Prehistoric Plants in the Landscape

Away from the water, planting can be sparser, but the innovative modeller will use other techniques and devices to add interest and intrigue to their dioramas.  Five tridactyl dinosaur footprints have been carved into the Polyfilla base.  Not the lack of width of the track, very typical of the “narrow gauge” of most three-toed dinosaurs.  The CollectA Williamsonia model plant has been placed adjacent to the tracks, making a focal point within this section of the landscape.

Trees and Rocks of Different Shapes and Sizes Add Interest

Jungle area with rocks adjacent to the waterhole.

Picture credit: Robert Townsend

CollectA Prehistoric Plants and Trees

The CollectA Palm Tree model has been skilfully used to add height to the planting.  Note the sloping gradient, water would tend to accumulate at the lowest points within a locality, this attention to detail helps to emphasise the natural look of the diorama.  The CollectA Monathesia and Cycad cluster has been located to the right of the waterhole and it blends in nicely within the smaller, tufts of vegetation that have been placed along the water’s edge.

The CollectA range includes a variety of prehistoric plants and trees.  The prehistoric plants and trees are in scale with CollectA dinosaur figures.

To view the CollectA range of not-to-scale models: CollectA Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Plant Models.

Clothes Pegs Have a Variety of Uses

Clothes pegs are handy to keep models in place until the glue dries.

Picture credit: Robert Townsend

The Corners of the Dinosaur Diorama

Planting the far corner can present a challenge to even the most experienced model maker.  Robert wanted to create some height using hand-crafted tree ferns, but tall trunks can present a problem when it comes to securing them in position long enough to permit the adhesive to dry.  Model makers use a variety of tools and in this instance clothes pegs were press-ganged into service to ensure the planting was a success.

Creating a Balanced Planting Effect with Other Landscape Features

Nearing completion, the jungle area with more planting and rocks.

Picture credit: Robert Townsend

The planting for the “Jurassic Park III” landscape is nearly finished.  Robert commented, stating that this phase of the project was “about eighty-five percent complete”.  As with all stages of the project, it proves very beneficial just to spend some time laying out features such as trees, rocks and railway modellers lichen and moss to create exotic bushes prior to reaching for the glue gun.

Robert is aiming for a relatively neutral planting scheme, one that could represent any one of three geological periods of the Mesozoic.  It seems that this massive project is progressing along nicely and we look forward to seeing the end result.

Take a look at the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.