Episode 61: Barry & Jim on their latest box dioramas and trying something new with every project

Above: Barry’s latest box diorama “XOR”

After epic conversations about big topics with multiple guests on the last two episodes—Perspectives on digital sculpting with Alan Ball and Nello Rivieccio in Episode 59, and a recap of World Model Expo in Versailles with Joan Biediger, Joe Berton, and Pat Vess in Episode 60—your hosts talk amongst themselves in this one, with Barry giving an unusual (for him) but very welcome (by Jim) step-by-step on the creation of his latest box diorama “XOR,” his eleventh (see his gallery here).

In the process, they talk about forced perspective, using gels for lighting in box dioramas, color palettes, a little more on digital sculpting, and other specifics—a few of these things newer challenges to Barry—as well as bigger, broader ideas like the occasional conflict between the artist’s intention and the viewers’ reception, and minimalism and maximalism.

“Big ideas about miniatures and modeling” is what we promise, after all. Whether this podcast ever gets there is up to you, the listener, to decide.

In any event, here are some of Barry’s in-progress shots leading to the finished work above.

Meanwhile, Jim talks about some of the new things he’s trying for a box diorama that he’s looking forward to showing at the MMSI’s 50th Chicago Show on Oct. 17-18. These include his first attempt at sculpting a male nude (he’s done some women in his previous 27 boxes, but never a male), obscuring the corner of the box with trees, playing with pastel dust, and using some larger LED bulbs to simulate bright sunlight.

Some photos of Jim’s work in progress and other things he and Barry discussed in the second half of the show follow. Thanks as always for listening!