Alain Letroye Interview








ETA diorama accessories:http://www.eta-diorama.com

Hello and welcome, so what's in this post, well seeing as this blog is meant to be about Post Apocalyptic miniatures and dioramas, and seeing as I am a little  new to the scene, I thought it was about time I ask someone to tell us how and why they enjoy building dioramas in Post Apocalyptic themes,I  am really starting to like the idea of having a go at building dioramas,so over the next few posts I'm going to show a few of my attempts at building one. but for now, you can read my Interview with 

  Alain Letroye,


Alain Letroye is from Belgium and you can find more of his work on his  Face book page  Post apocalyptic diorama




                       Alain Letroye,

             Post-apocalyptic diorama





Post-apocalyptic diorama




Alain Letroye's profile photo, Image may contain: 1 person, sunglasses

Alain Letroye , Post apocalyptic diorama





Q1 When did you start model kit building and how long have you been building dioramas?

I did a little model kit building when I was a kid, I had to be 10 years old I think. I did that with a classmate. We built aircraft at 1/72 scale of the Matchbox brand. We just painted them as indicated in the instructions and placed the decals. It went on for a few months, it was fun and we were kids enjoying a hobby, soon we found more things to do. To be honest I returned to model making late. At the end of 2017, I was 51 years old at the time. I ended up sick for 7 months. Blocked at home, I was like a caged wolf, very bored and low, and wanted something to keep me busy, in my student years I studied art and I wanted to revisit an artistic activity of my younger years and as I said I enjoyed making models as a kid so if only to give me the satisfaction of achievement. I went out and I bought some model magazines, I think "Steelmaster" was one. I can still remember looking at the superb achievements of the model makers, and the new exciting products (filter, wash, pigments, ....), I had the urge to try to do the same.








Q2 Why do you like making post-apocalyptic dioramas?

Because I do not like constraints! If I'm doing a historical subject, I need to do documentation research. I must respect the colors of vehicles or uniforms. With the post-apocalyptic, I have total freedom. I Started seeing the post-apocalyptic achievements of other model kit makers and painters on the internet and this was already a theme that I liked in the movies or in my readings. I decided to do this same theme in model making.












 Q3  Where should a beginner in building dioramas look for inspiration when thinking of building a diorama? 



 uchronie is a subject that I like, For a beginner Initially, I would say, take for inspiration from other dioramas, look at the work of other diorama builders, either in magazines or on the internet, but also movies, series, novels or comics. Little by little, one gives free rein to one's imagination. Sometimes to change a little, I like to make themes I call "What if",. I like to imagen idea's of which does not exist because it gives me total freedom, I can let myself be guided by my imagination. Some find my achievements frightening. I find it rather amusing. It is certainly less frightening than some current events that can be seen on the news!






Q4 What's the best advice you can give to a beginner, for building post-apocalyptic dioramas?



 I recommend starting with regular priced brands like Revell, Hobby Boss, Italeri, etc ... It takes just a little imagination to transform them, that's why it's interesting to look at the work of others, we can always learn!
Many tutorials on the internet explain the construction of a model and its coloring. There are also clubs to get great advice from more experienced people.




Q5 What would be a good scale{size} miniatures for a beginner to buy to start making dioramas

I work mainly at 1/35, it is the scale that offers the most choice for me in selecting kits and figurines and accessories. I sometimes do try to challenge my self by building small scenes with 28mm or with 35mm action figures. Everyone must find the scale where they are most comfortable working with.



 Q6 What kind of toolkit, paint's and accessories would a new model maker need to buy to build a post-apocalyptic diorama?


  There are so many different accessories for building apocalyptic dioramas: posters, special colors (fluo, blood, ...), figurines for the main  post-apocalyptic characters in the scene your building (stalker, zombie, mutant, ...) Plus Any vehicle can be transformed for the theme: I work mainly with Vallejo acrylic colors with a brush. and I'm going to try using an airbrush soon for painting.
The tools are exactly the same as for any model kit builder whether you are a beginner or long-time model builder, knife and blades with a chisel blade. Sprue Nippers and Cutters. Invest in a good pair of cutters. Tweezers, Pin Vise and drill bits, Sanding pads, some kind of modeling putty
Clamps, But there are many different accessories and tools to buy









 Q6 What are you working on at the moment?


I often work on several scenes at the same time so as not to get tired of working on the same project. Sometimes I take old dioramas that I do not like and I transform them, I change the decor, I add accessories or I change the figures.





 Q7 What do you do with your dioramas once they are finished e,g keep them, sell them or give them away to friends and family as Christmas presents?



My dioramas are put in a showcase, I would never sell achievements, maybe as presents to my friends if I run out of room in my showcase





 Q8 What's your favorite post-apocalyptic film and books?



Obviously, I love Mad Max: Fury Road but also the old Mad Max. I also like Waterworld, Mortal Engines and many others. I like everything that tackles the post-apocalyptic theme. I also love the series "Walking Dead", a great source of inspiration, I also read novels and comics.
















http://www.eta-diorama.com






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