1/64 Diorama Blogs and Scratch Build Tutorials
Process, not products
A blog shows how something was made, including the parts that went wrong.
WHAT THIS IS
Why Read a Build Diary
The useful thing in a diary is the sequence of decisions, shown in order.
- Photo documentation of full builds, from the first cut to the final weathering.
- Technique notes on plaster roads, foam shells, printed textures and LED lighting.
- Several languages, so an English-only list is not the whole picture.
All 4 Resources in Blogs & Scratch Build
These blogs span English, Spanish and French, and cover full scratch builds and single techniques.
Alfonso Perales Links
Spanish directory with selected links of stores, forums, and scale car manufacturers from around the world.
Dios4Diecast
US blog specialized in diecast model photography and the creation of photorealistic scenarios.
Jasmine's Garage
UK blog that teaches how to build detailed garages using wood, blister plastics, and LED lights.
ML Scale
US blog documenting the handcrafted creation of plaster roads, cardboard sidewalks, and foam buildings.
THE METHOD
Learn the craft, not the product
A diary shows the twenty decisions that produced the result.
When you are stuck, the useful question is not what a finished garage looks like but how a wall meets a base without a gap.
It is also the fastest way to learn a technique you did not know you needed, such as casting a hard road surface.
- See the order of operations, which is usually what went wrong.
- Copy a proven material combination instead of guessing.
- Spot the technique that solves a problem you had not named.
OTHER LANGUAGES
Language is not a barrier
A large share of the best 1/64 scratch building is documented in Spanish.
The Spanish-language diorama community has a large body of high-quality documentation, and much of it is not translated.
Browser translation handles written diaries well enough to follow, and video can be followed with subtitles.
- Spanish-language blogs cover some of the most detailed scratch builds available.
- Written tutorials translate more reliably than video.
- Following a build in a second language shows which techniques are universal.
What is a scratch build in diecast dioramas?
Scenery made from raw materials rather than bought ready-made: cardboard, plaster, foam board, printed textures and paint, cut and assembled by hand.
Are Spanish-language diorama blogs worth reading if I only speak English?
Yes. Much of the best documented 1/64 scratch building is published in Spanish and French, and browser translation handles written diaries reliably.
What materials do scratch builders use most?
Corrugated cardboard and foam board for structure, plaster or sand for ground texture, printed paper textures for surfaces, acrylic paint for coats.
Where else can I find build advice?
The channels category has video walkthroughs of complete builds, and the communities category has threads where you can ask a specific question.
Related Guides
Blogs show the method. These guides turn it into a step-by-step process.
More Categories
Resources & Database
Model databases and reference tools for researching castings and converting real measurements into scale.
Channels & DIY Tutorials
Video walkthroughs of complete builds, plus downloadable PDF templates and cut-out parts.
Communities & Forums
Forums and subreddits where collectors trade, show builds, photograph models and ask for advice.
3D Printing & STL Models
Free and paid STL repositories with 1:64 props, workshop equipment, pallets and modular structures.
Marketplaces & Custom
AliExpress, eBay and Etsy for imported dioramas, discontinued sets and handmade accessories.
Online Stores
Specialist retailers for figures, resin accessories, LED-lit buildings, decals and realistic cardboard kits.
ADD SOMETHING
Missing a resource in this category?
If you know a 1/64 scale diorama resource that is not listed here, send the title, a short description and the link. Every entry is reviewed before it goes in.