Building the Ultimate Medieval Tavern Diorama - Realistic Miniature Model Scenery
How to build a realistic, miniature, fantasy Tavern diorama from scratch from balsa wood and styrofoam. This scale model is in 1/24 scale.
Patreon: / smolworldworkshop
Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE if you enjoy my content and want to support my channel!
Channels Referenced in this Video:
Night Shift:@NightShiftScaleModels
Check out Some of My Tutorials Mentioned in this Video:
Cabin Diorama: • Build an ULTRA-REALIST...
Santorini Greece Diorama: • Santorini Diorama DIY ...
In this tutorial, I show you how to build an architectural scale model from balsa wood and basswood strips. I cover several DIY techniques for creating the Ultimate, Realistic Diorama. You can apply these techniques to anything that you're working on, such as dioramas, scale models, model railway scenery, model railroad layouts, wargaming terrain, warhammer 40k, d&d scenery, tabeltop gaming, action figure displays, dollhouse accessories, fantasy dioramas and whatever else comes to mind.
I show you how to make a model house from scratch that looks hyper realistic, just using some miniature, strip basswood, balsa wood, and foam board you can buy from the hobby and crafts store! I take you though every step of building a half timbered building, plaster stucco to the frame of the building, making a roof structure and shingles from balsa wood, adding a miniature glass tudor windows, making a miniature brick chimney and stone walls from XPS foam, Painting and weathering everything, adding 3D printed barrels and accessories, and adding model railway scenery like dirt, terrain, ground cover, rocks, branches, moss, paper leaves, and much more!
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:36 How to Make a Balsa Wood Frame
1:49 How to Make Foam Core Buildings
3:00 How to Seal Balsa Wood
3:27 How to Paint Balsa Wood w/ Acrylic
3:54 Miniature Plaster Walls
7:44 How to Paint and Weather Diorama
9:24 How to Make Miniature Wood Shingles
14:03 How to Make Miniature Moss
16:25 Carving Stones From Styrofoam
18:52 Paint XPS Foam with Acrylic Paint
23:04 Medieval Windows DIY
24:08 Assembling a Miniature Diorama
25:19 DIY Cobblestone Road
28:38 How to Make Miniature Terrain
29:36 Scale Model Dirt
31:24 Realistic Woodland Ground Cover Mix
32:32 How to Model Realistic Moss
33:51 Last Minute Details
34:40 Final Result!
35:03 Please Support Me on Patreon
Music:
"Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"
Song List:
1. Fractals
2. Fantasy
3. Home
4. Galaxy
5. Empty City
6. Recovery
7. Existence
8. Floating
9. Nightscapes
10 Distance
"Man, that wood and plaster building looks so realistic and GREAT. What'd you use?" "Wood and plaster."
Haha if I can use the real materials I often try to!
but the drywall was 1/32" thick/2"x2" sheets...the mudding and sanding alone would be brutal...
THIS is a Hobby, I Dream of getting into!!!!
Glad to hear that! You definitely should start making miniatures if you haven’t yet, it’s lots of fun! Thanks for watching!
My dad used to be a Model Railroader. One of the things I learned from him was "very very seldom does nature give you just one layer of Anything." He would rattle off some element of the Lay Out, and spend a few minutes showing me the difference between 'flat', and 'natural'. So, in memory of Daddy, I would add another sprinkle of leaves...especially on the roof. Color them if it's autumn. Maybe a tree stump (holy cow! BIG tree!) From where that old monster died and came down...who knew it was that far gone? Blocked t'road nearly a week. OTOH...I absolutely love the way those cobble stones turned out!
Absolutely brilliant work. The end photos showed how realistic it looked blending in to the outdoors like it was a full sized building.
Thank you so much for all your kind words, I really appreciate the support!!
Tip ~ if you put your plaster mixture into a baker's piping bag, it's super easy and very little mess when applying the plaster to your walls! Works like a charm!
That’s an awesome tip!! I’ll be sure to use this one in the future! Thanks for sharing!
It's so much easier!! Way less mess, way less waste and clean-up is a breeze!!
Yeah I was gonna say baking tools like an offset spatula would work really well 🤍
*Dude, I thought my stuff was good until I saw yours! Excellent work!*
Wow thank you so much, you’re too kind! And your work is absolutely amazing!! I love how you use real construction methods and materials for your awesome projects! Thanks again for watching and for all your support :)
Great technique on the stone. At first, I was thinking '35 minute video, that's too long'. The pace you had was perfect; no time wasted on small talk. You explained your process very well and didn't spend too long on any segment. super well done. I couldn't believe how fast 35 minutes went by. Thanks.
Thank you so much for your feedback, I’m glad to hear that!! Also thanks again for watching, I really appreciate it!
I remain impressed by what you show here, even after watching it several times, it has given me so many new ideas. By showing how you make it, I have slowly started building something again and am seriously enjoying it again... so thank you for giving me a new old goal.
I loved it! It seems so real, the stones especially, I believed, I really believed they were real. and when he places the diorama outside, with the sky... incredible. congratulations!
The detail just keeps on getting more incredible.. I was so impressed by the cobble path that I almost fell out of my seat when the custom made miniature leaves came out.
I would have killed for a friend like you back playing D&D in the 80's/90's. Phenomenal builds you have put together and your attention to detail is great. Will be binging a lot more of your videos over the coming weeks, not that I play anymore, they just really relaxing to watch your work. Peace from the UK.
Thank you so much for all your kind words!!! It makes me so happy to hear you enjoy watching my content. Thanks again for all your support, and thanks for watching!
Very nice work. A lot of old houses like this had a large beam protruding from under the ridge to attach a block and tackle for moving furniture upstairs.
"Old glass" effect is great.
Thank you!
i reall DIG the fact , that you use REAL materials- for detail!!! i would TOO☺
Hahaha thank you!! And thanks for watching :)
I’m working on a video game, and one of the central locations is a medieval tavern. For some reason finding reference images for the walls was challenging. Weird angles, not the full view, etc etc. I decide to check KZhead and I come across this, and it's EXACTLY what I was looking for! It's a great look at the texture of the plaster and structure of the wood frames. Great work! And thanks for
Beautiful work great job
Such amazing work! This is extremely satisfying to watch.
Thank you very much! Glad to hear that!
Looks good as hell....!! Perfect for modeling railroads. When i was a kid i use to take close up pictures 📸 with a polorid Camara of log cabins my mother made from real sticks to sell as displays and i added metal scale cars and take pictures used to look so real. Your house model took me back
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing masterpiece. I love your builds, and I am learning so much. I am currently working on replicating Stephen Kings Pet Sematary, and your techniques will be very helpful for that and also when it's time to create the barn for my 1930's farmhouse. I try to create my miniatures as realistic as I can, and I love detail. I love your channel!🥰❤️
What a joy 😃 I whish I found the peace to build such cozy houses 🙂
Thank you so much!!
That's glorious. I love the leaf/moss details especially, but the windows are also so very cool.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!
STUNNING!!! Simply stunning!!
Thank you so much!
Would you rather have 1 million dollars or the ability to shrink down and live in your dioramas
Good question!! Probably the million dollars so I could make more dioramas haha!
wouldnt be better just to scale up the dioramas? u could just build your dream house.. 😅
@@droneclub1978 haha great point!! But the small ones cost a lot less to make :) thanks for watching
You can do that, on Movie Sets. Lol empty interior with cool facade.
I told my children, when they said they will burn my dollhouses when I die, to be really careful because I WILL be residing in some of them. They won't know which ones. Hahahaha
Amazing work, so realistic and detailed. Love it!
Thank you so much!!!
I agree with you. The complete videos not only show us technique, but lots of technique and real application - as long as your verbal tutorial. I loved this one!
Thank you so much, I’m glad you like the longer videos! Thanks again for watching!
I hope to learn... I loved your job and your attention to details... really good. Hugs of light from far, in your heart. Thank you by inspiration.🌟👏
It looks absolutely amazing! I'm so jealous of all the great builders who have the skill and necessary equipment to create such wonderful models and dioramas. I could sit and watch a model like yours for hours. 🙂
I'm really loving what you make! Every creation is incredibly detailed.
Thank you so much for all of your support, I really appreciate it!
You are a true master of your craft my man! Very nicely done. I watch a lot of these types of videos and yours are up there with the best of them for sure.
Your talent is incredible! Great video!
Thank you so much!
I really enjoy atching you work, and super enjoy hearing your narration of steps and tips! Thanks for all your time!
Thank you so much for watching! I’m glad you enjoy the videos and the narration!
Beautiful work as always ! Thank you for sharing these !
Thank you so much, I’m glad you liked the diorama! And thanks again for watching!
What a beautiful piece! You are so observant and I enjoy your explanations on building techniques and color choices. The end result is so realistic, especially when you bring it outdoors with natural light and trees! Great work!
Thank you so much for all of your kind words and support! I’m so glad you liked the diorama, and thanks for watching :)
wow, that just looks fantastically realistic! Especially the stone wall at the bottom of the house - I've never seen it done so well and so realistically before! Great work!
Thank you so much!! I’m so glad you liked the stonework! Thanks again for watching :)
you should put some candle lights inside the build so you can make the windows glow and look lived in
Absolutely stunning work. This is exactly how I imagined the Waystone Inn from the book "Name of the Wind" from Patrick Rothfuss. Thank you for sharing :)
Best relaxation therapy is when I go into my studio to create building for my dioramas
I agree!! So relaxing and so much fun!
I never thought anything like this existed since I’ve been watching this the only thing I can say is absolutely amazing, great job man.
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate your kind words :)
Its the "Prancy Pony" from LOTR. Very cool.
Beautiful work. Thank you for sharing your processes.
Thank you, I’m happy to share everything I can!! Thanks for your support and for watching!
Massage for the mind! Your work is phenomenal!
Thank you so much!!
This was amazing. I'm blown away by your creativity.
Thank you! 😊
Wow, what a project! And so many handy tips sprinkled throughout. The only thing missing is some lighting and like someone said a sign.
Thank you, I’m glad you liked the video!! I definitely would’ve liked to add a sign, but I waited til the last minute and ran out of time unfortunately. I also did experiment with adding several flickering leds once I installed the glass. I opted not to install them because it looked more like the building was on fire haha! Thanks again for watching!
Such talent. Very impressive to say the least.
Thank you, I really appreciate it!!!
Awesome! I love how realistic it is. Beautiful 😍
Thank you so much 😀
Amazing, you had me when you made the curbstone walkway and all the little details.👏❤
Thank you very much!! I’m glad like like all the details!
THIS IS INCREDIBLE. So glad I stumbled on this video
Thank you!! So glad you found the channel, thanks for watching :)
SO FREAKIN COOL ! Man, I really love the way this turned out. You have a great vision.
Thank you so much, I’m so happy you like it! Thanks for watching!
*_Great build man._* *_I tend to also add some paint to real life items like stones and twigs so they don't stand out._*
*_I forgot to say it's not a bad idea to add needles/thin nails to the walls where they join. Glue might crack open in 2 years._*
Thank you!! That’s great, I love using natural materials when I can for scenery too!
And that’s a good idea, I’ll make sure to do that for future projects! Fingers crossed this one doesn’t break haha!
absolutley beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much!!!!!!
Absolutely gorgeous!!!! I love all of the intricate details you have crafted into this diorama 😊😊😊
Thank you so much!!! I’m glad you like all the details in this project! Thanks again for all your support for the channel :)
@@smolworldworkshop you are welcome 🤗 I definitely look forward to seeing your builds! 😊
Very nicely done. You need a patron or two, heading in for a pint.
This is a great piece, one thing missing is the lack of truly straight edges in buildings of this age, One thing you need to try is cutting the balsa trips out of sheet balsa freehand. This will give a characteristic unevenness typical of such buildings. It's a bit more work but will make a huge difference to realism. Your techniques for wooden framing, like inlay with plaster, are great though and I will try this out myself.
Just beautiful, i am really thinking about quitting my job and doing something like this!
That sir is a absolutely fantastic piece of art, it looks so real when filmed in the right setting, congratulations on a job very well done, best regards from Australia
Thank you so much for all your kind words! I’m so happy that you liked the video, and thanks again for watching!
Beautiful ❤
I love your attention to detail. The moss, the weathering on the wood, the crumbled-up leaves.... these are all creative details that really add to the realism. Awesome piece, man!
Thank you so much, I’m glad you like all of the details, they were lots of fun to create!
This is gorgeous! I am constantly blown away by your skill and patience and attention to detail! Roof is gorgeous, I love the Blended leaves and the moss. And I love your teeny tiny leaf cut outs! Please let me know in a few hundred years when this is ready to be remodeled into a private home/art studio and maybe a small artist shop on the first floor😂
Thank you so much for all of your compliments!! I’m so glad you like all the details in the scenery, I had lots of fun making that part. And sounds good, I’ll check back with you in a few hundred years regarding the remodel haha! Thanks again for watching :)
Your work is breathtaking and mesmerising. The attention to detail and ingenuity are just insane. You've gained a fan. I hope to one day start building dioramas myself.
Thank you so much, I appreciate your support!! Also, I hope you do start building dioramas, they’re so much fun!
Thanks for all of the great tips! I'm building a 1:12 dollhouse from scratch (first one) and can use all of the instruction I can get. ☺ Beautiful result!
Thank you so much!! Good luck with your project!!!
Fantastic job. Fascinating.
Thank you!
the amount of the detail is outstanding
Thank you!
Great work. I have been working on a scale garage diorama for my rc truck collection and you have inspired so many ideas.
Thank you, I’m glad these projects are inspiring!! Good luck with your projects!!!
This is so absolutely beautiful one of my favorite diorama you’ve made yet, I love your stonework it’s always so good If I have one note, is that all the broken branches around, especially because they look fairly fresh it makes it look like the place just was hit by a storm people usually pick up branches like that for firewood, or something pretty quickly after their around idk it’s not necessarily a bad element. It’s just it creates a story there.
Thank you so much!! And that’s a great point about the branches! I only used them since it was a quick and easy way to add detail to the ground. Thanks for watching!!
This is brilliant because I need to build an extension to an existing 1:18 th scale Tudor house and your video has simplified the process for me and I can now feel confident enough to extend the walls to one side of the house in order to add my extension. Thank you. This is beautiful work and I will try your wash as that is exactly the colour I am going for.
Thank you so much, and that sounds like an awesome project! Good luck with it and I’m glad this tutorial was helpful!
Just great!!! I really want to build an inn or pub and detail the inside of it. Love your techniques and your videos are super well done!!! Thanks for the great inspiration!!!! Take Care, Bill
Thank you for your kind words and support! And that would be so cool, good luck with your future projects!!!
Absolutely amazing!
Thank you!!
So many useful tips to learn from this video, thank you so much!
Thank you!! I’m glad you found these tips helpful!
details...details and lots of patience Nice work, indeed
Thank you so much!!
Sell these like real properties, it'd be funny and fun and make you some money, people pay for the fun believe it or not, I like how it's constructed like as if little people got paid for the job building it. Keep it up
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fantastic. 😍
Thank you!!!
Beautiful. Amazing work.
Thank you very much!
Very nice. I've picked up a couple of new techniques from watching this. Time to try them out! Great stuff.
Glad to hear that!! Thanks for watching :)
Wow!! Your work is amazing.
Thank you so much!!
Im so jealous, you have so much talent.
Thank you so much :)
I'm so glad to see this
Thank you!!!
For wiping off the spackle a baby wipe works amazing even better then paper towel
That’s a great idea, thanks for sharing that!
This looks fantastic!
Thank you!!!
Looking good! Always excited to see you uploaded :)
Thank you!! Makes me happy to know you look forward to my videos :)
Beautiful work! Great result!
Thank you!!
I love it It is so interesting watching you build it
Thank you very much!
I dont work on anything like this, but I found this enjoyable and informative anyway! Great work on presenting and the project!
Thank you!! I’m glad you found the video enjoyable! Thanks for watching!
Accidentally found you on KZhead and decided to watch. Glad I did! Awesome job!
Thank you, I’m glad you found my channel too!!
Reminds me of architecture school in the 90's. We built lots of models from balsa, basswood, matt board & foam core board. Suggestion for the glue-up. Tape, or spray-fix, your drawing to a piece of foam core board then cover with wax paper. This will keep your glue from sticking to your drawing. Use T-pins stuck into the foam to hold your parts in place while the glue dries. Nice model... I wish had access to model railroading skills when when I was in college!
That’s so awesome, I’m glad it reminds you of school!! And those are some awesome tips, thank you for sharing those!
Wow whst a wonderful house. Done s lot of work on the house it looks so real and wonderful. Love ❤️ it.
Thank you so much :)
Incredible Work. Mad Skills !!! Reminds me of Claude Joachim’s work.
Thank you so much 😊
45 seconds into the video and already thumbed it up. Wow.
Thank you for all your support!!
Great video, great build, and unique pronunciation of diorama. +1
Thank you! Cheers!
Amazing details and effects. I particularly like your stone weathering techniques and how you painted the cobblestones and wall a slightly different shade than the tavern walls. Small details like this go a long way towards the authentic look of the final piece. If you’ll permit me, there are a couple of things you could add to add even more realism: 1. Every good tavern/public house needs sign with their name on it. You could either make a free standing one on a wooden post post closer to road or make one that hangs off the side of the tavern on a bar or bracket. You could even give it the look of ornate cast iron, like something a blacksmith would have produced; 2. Candle or oil lanterns would be a nice touch too I think. Maybe 1 on each side oof the door or incorporate it into the overhead cast iron sign bracket idea. Just some ideas. Thanks for the entertaining video!
Thank you so much!!! I’m glad you like the stone work and the subtle color differences! And I totally agree with you suggestions, I planned on adding a sign, but I procrastinated and waited until the day of my outdoor photoshoot to design one. Long story short I just ran out of time! And the lighting would be awesome!! Looking back on my builds, I think they would all benefit from lighting elements, I just need to take the time to plan it out. Thanks again for your compliments, ideas, and for your support!
Beautiful!
Thank you!
Looks super dope man... very well done! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, and thanks again for watching!
You are supremely talented 🥰
Thank you so much :)
This is so cool..I am tempted to try these cool modeling techniques..It needs so much dedication ... amazing...thanks for sharing...
Thank you so much!! And I hope you try these techniques out!! They’re lots of fun and I know you can do this! Thanks again for watching!
I got 3 seconds in and my mind was blown 🤯
Espectacular
I want to live in this! It's my dream house. Beautiful!
That’s awesome!! Thank you for watching!!
This is fantastic, so many techniques for modelers. Put some logs in the side hut.
You can understand the work involved in film model making.
This is beyond incredible and super inspiring! Great work! 🐤
Thank you so much I really appreciate it! Also I’m a big fan of your work as well! Love all the dioramas and scenes you create! Keep up the amazing work!
@@smolworldworkshop wow really?! I’m humbled by your kindness. Thank you 🐤
@@MrSpriken of course! And I’ve actually been subscribed to your channel on my personal account for awhile. Once I saw you commented I realized I hadn’t subbed on this account yet, so I made sure to do just that! I love all your work, the paint work and textures you achieve are amazing!
@@smolworldworkshop that really warms my heart to hear. Your work has inspired me and I’m in awe of the realism you achieve. Thanks for subscribing to my channel, truly appreciate it.
Wow! Thats awesome
Thank you!!!
Incrível! Espetácular! 🌟👏
Thank you!