Santorini Diorama DIY - Build a REALISTIC Miniature Scale Model of Greece in 1/24 Scale

How to build a realistic, miniature, scale model diorama of Santorini Greece. I had so much fun capturing the Cycladic Architecture in 1/24 scale.

If you'd like to support me and my work, as well as have access to process pictures, 3D files for download, & more exclusive content, then please join my patreon! I'd greatly appreciate it :D

In this tutorial DIY, I show you how to build an architectural scale model from foam core or foam board from scratch. I cover several techniques for creating the Ultimate, Ultra-Realistic Diorama. You can apply these techniques to anything you are making, such as dioramas, scale models, model railway scenery, wargaming terrain, warhammer 40k, dollhouse accessories, action figure displays, and much more!

I teach you several technical skills, such as how to cut through foam board, how to 3D print details for dioramas, such as miniature tables, chairs, windows, doors, flower pots, etc, how to create a realistic stucco texture for miniature scale models, how to use an airbrush for painting miniature details, how to make realistic scenery, how to make and paint realistic stone walkways using XPS Foam, how to make realistic miniature staircases, and much more!

My favorite technique that I learned was making realistic scale model flowers using 3D prints. It was tedious gluing each individual flower using super glue, but I was very happy with the results!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:30 Diorama Layout (3D Sketch)
0:47 Build a Miniature House from Foam Board
3:29 How to make Miniature Stairs from XPS Foam
5:03 Assembling Building 1
6:12 Gluing Foam Core Walls
7:05 Building another Foam Staircase (Proxxon Hot Wire Table)
8:00 Making Building 2 From Foam Core
9:08 How to Apply a Realistic Stucco Texture to Miniature Scale Models
13:31 Assembling all the walls
14:32 Filling Gaps with Spackle
14:57 Back Wall and Planter Boxes
15:27 Front Platform Construction
16:19 Stucco Application 2
16:36 Acrylic White Paint Base Coat
17:12 Make and Paint Realistic Stones from Styrofoam
23:53 White Touch Up Paint
25:22 How to Remove Supports from Resin 3D Prints
28:20 Miniature Trellis DIY
29:41 3D Printed Shutters
30:04 How to Paint 3D Prints with an Airbrush
32:16 Assemble Miniature Doors and Windows
32:59 Miniature 3D Printed Chairs
33:26 Terracotta Flower Pots
33:44 Installing Doors Windows and 3D Printed Accessories
35:14 Adding Dirt to Planter Boxes
35:58 How to Make Realistic Miniature Bushes
37:40 How to Make Realistic Scale Model Flowers
39:41 How to Make Potted Plants for Miniatures
41:31 Planting Miniature Flowers
42:06 Adding 3D Printed Tables and Chairs
43:26 Final Result!
44:12 Patreon (Link in the Description)

Music:
"Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"

Song List:
1. Saturna
2. Lucid Dream
3. Fantasy
4. Nightscopes
5. Distance
6. New Beginnings
7. Edge of Tomorrow
8. Replicant Hunter
9. Rendezvous
10. Menace
11. Fractals
12. Home

[TeoMaragakis]

As a Greek I approve of this. The details are insanely accurate.

[yupitsme]

saw the thumbnail I thought it was the real life santorini 😮 love this build 🙌

[ewed]

Finally I send my hamster on a summer holiday. Real good job!

[sirrathersplendid]

Lovely job! Had a neighbour who decorated the whole exterior of his house in the gorgeous white and blue Greek island aesthetic. Used to look at it in nostalgic admiration whenever I walked past — memories of idyllic Greek summer holidays. And then he sold it, and the new owners not only scrapped the colour scheme, they clad the building in fake stone. 😱😱😱

[ronferguson]

What a refreshing change from boats, planes, tanks and trains. You have a incredible eye for detail without over doing it. Simple beautiful work! Thanks for sharing your incredible talent.

[andreakerry]

Fabulous. I love anything in miniature so I'd love to see a log cabin

[bradcraig]

What a fantastic build! I visited Santorini decades ago and you absolutely nailed the look and feel. So much to admire here, and so many great techniques shared. Very glad I found this channel.

[nomanejane]

Its so cool to finally see a Mediterranean style building

[cchristner]

Beautiful! I get so tired of dioramas of dilapidated buildings from the Depression that are overdone on YT. You nailed the colors and scale, and the flowers and shrubs accented the bold blue and stark white exteriors perfectly. I've subscribed.

[curtk]

That is really cool- Only thought one more flower color and the steps and balcony might need a little foot wear. Then possibly a coffee cup left on one of the tables. Then a stick broom for sweeping up the fallen blossoms left leaning on the backside of one of the post. LOL Love it. The stone pavers look amazing.

[Shatterpath]

It's like a mini vacation! Absolutely lovely.

[alexlegere]

Gorgeous! The attention to detail is spectacular. Little side note, if you print those tables upside down you’d minimize overhangs and the required supports meaning less work for you. I’ve never seen someone 3d print flowers like that before either, the little printed details are just stellar!

[robertarguello]

Sometimes it pays to put yourself through the grind. And in this project, your stone work resulted in perfection!

[robertcornelius]

As a non-Greek I approve of this. Awesome!

[marshannajohnson]

Wow, wow, wow! My mund is blown. If I didn't see this video, I would have thought this was a real building. That last shot by the ocean looks so realistic.

[pkmnmastertash]

That stucco is amazing. I don't doubt the time that went into it for a second. I've only made a small fireplace with spackle covering it for a stucco like appearance and I was sure it was going to be the death of me 😅

Those flowers also are an amazing idea, they really do look leaps and bounds better than the foam ones.

Seeing this finished out in the sun with the shadows casting naturally and the wind wiggling the plants... amazing work, truly.

[catche]

The outside shots of this are amazing. It looks so realistic, it's incredible

[Stanty]

Amazing work on this! Applying the grout between the stones was very satisfying, and gave a great result!

Also appreciate the makers paradox being features, where no matter how accurately and precisely things are planned, modeled, printed, and cut, somehow there is always random gaps that appear! It's just the way

[DavidRLentz-bi]

David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA (Saturday, 21 September, 2024)

I greatly prefer this scale, for my own model- and diorama-building aspirations. Thank you so much for your presentation here; in the aggregate is it all both extraordinary and delightful! Even more, this dwelling looks photo-realistic with the right backdrop.

[ej]

Beautiful Santorini! You did an amazing job on capturing its essence.