Phantom’s Encounter

Courtesy of Monsters in Motion is this 1/8th scale diorama of a key scene from the Lon Chaney film, The Phantom of the Opera, where the Phantom confronts Christine in his lair under the opera house.  The original all-resin diorama consisted of the middle column, the figures, steps, boat, and lower base.  Added and carved from balsa foam are the back archway and support column as well as the large side wall.  A round piece of tin foil was rolled over the foam creating various random indentations to mimic the pocked surface of the stonework.  The balsa foam was then coated with gesso for strength before base coating and subsequent painting.  The back of the diorama is covered with foam core board.  The water is Woodland Scenics Water Effects and following instructions was poured on the constructed wood base and the boat placed in place.  In the film the Phantom has a lantern on his boat so this was added.  All paints are acrylics.