How to Model Newspapers for your Diorama or Layout

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How to Model Newspapers for your Diorama or Layout

Newspapers are common as rubbish in run down streets. It’s easy enough to add a few model newspapers to your layout or diorama to just add another layer of clutter to bring your model to life.

I modelled these in HO scale and used a width of 0.14″ to represent a scale size newspaper.

You may want to be creative and model double spreads and open newspapers or multiple pages spilling out. Where there are newspapers, there is often other clutter so make sure that the whole level of rubbish is appropriate for your era and setting.  The best way to do this is to look at photos of the location and time that you are modelling.

How to repeat the image to print

I used Word but any document editing software should do.

I import a newspaper, change the width to 0.14″ then type a space.

I now have a tiny newspaper and a space. I select those, copy them and paste them (I highlight with my mouse, use cmd or ctrl C and cmd or ctrl V but you can right click too).

I do this 10 or so times then re-select the newspapers and repeat but this time I’m doing 10 at a time which makes it quicker.

Normally I fill a whole page.

Then I just send it to print. Without the spaces, the newspapers run together. It’s a matter of personal preference whether you do the space as it does mean more cutting afterwards.

The Real World

Rubbish Heap
Rubbish Heap
Rubbish Heap
Rubbish Heap

real_world_blog-103

Papers on the floor
Papers on the floor
Yellowed paper
Yellowed paper
Yellowed paper
Yellowed paper

 

Materials

  • Images of Newspapers – Google Images Search will produce loads
  • Layout Paper – I got mine from HobbyCraft. It’s used to trace images from one layer to another and is therefore thin enough to see through. Any thin paper will do though. If you can print on tissue paper then that could be even better.
  • White Glue and Water mix (30:70)

Optional:

  • A yellowish coloured wash – I used Mig Neutral Wash
  • Pigments to tie the newspapers in

Index

00:14 The Real World 00:29 Method 05:53 Final Result 06:12 Mini Kathys 08:00 Close All the modelling scenery videos can be found by clicking here. If you are enjoying the series then please subscribe to my blog for the next weekly instalment: