"Small-mindedness" comes in scales
Miniature makers all have one thing in common: they make tiny things. But you’ll find that there’s actually quite a range in tininess: the miniature scale. Often we’ll see the scale specified as how many times smaller than life-sized. 6 times smaller, for example. Or even 24 times smaller. In other cases, the scale is defined in an absolute sense. One such popular absolute scale is 75mm miniatures. But why would you go for this scale? That’s what we’re going to be exploring here. Let’s have a look at the perks, pitfalls, and some petite projects for building 75mm scale miniatures.
Absolute scales aside, in the end being smol is just relative.
Contents
How tall is a 75mm mini?
If you’re not familiar with the metric system, you might be wondering: what scale is a 75mm figure? It’s like this: on average, 75mm scale miniatures will measure about 3 inches from head to toe. You can see it as a figurine-centered benchmark. Say, you’re making a diorama of the Shire, using a 75mm miniatures scale. Therefore, you’ll populate it with 3-inch-tall hobbits, and sprinkle in some of those cute rounded hobbit houses that will perfectly accommodate the 3-inch-tall inhabitants. As a finishing touch, you let Gandalf pop in for a visit. Now, Gandalf shouldn’t be a 75mm miniature. He’s not a halfling, after all. So you place a 4.5-inch-tall wizard in your scene, likely to bump his head as he makes his way into the hobbit dwellings.
When you’re mini and oversized at the same time.
Now consider a different build within the same literary world: the fellowship is making their way through the woodlands. Again, you can opt for 75mm scale miniatures, but not make it a hobbit-based unit of measurement this time around. If the taller members of the fellowship measure 3 inches tall, your hobbits would now be 2 inches or less in length. As such, it’s all relative in the end.
Advantages and disadvantages of 75mm scale miniatures
We’ve covered what 75mm miniatures are, but why would you pick this scale over any of the other popular miniature scales? Let’s consider some pros and cons.
- Detail. Within the range of common scales for figurines, 75mm miniatures sit toward the larger side of the bunch. Being bigger in size, these miniatures generally offer more intricacies and detail in their design. This holds first of all for the manufacturing stage. For example, when a figurine gets created with a 3D printer, a larger scale will help to incorporate more life-like features. But it also holds true for the painting stage: with a larger surface, there is more detailing that can be achieved. Applying paint also tends to be less finicky overall when you’re not dealing with teeny tiny objects. Then again, your figures being bigger also means that they are a bit less forgiving when it comes to obvious imperfections.
- Scope. Beyond the size of your figurines, it’s important to consider the scale of your miniature project as a whole. How much of a scene do you want to immerse your miniatures in? How much physical space would that take up? The space occupied by one or two buildings in 75mm miniatures scale could equate to a complete town square in 15mm scale. On the other hand, when crafting at a larger scale, you can introduce yet another level of immersion. For example, consider the inner scenes that are discovered when peeking through the windows of said buildings. Sometimes less is more… and sometimes more is more.
Projects at 75mm miniatures scale
Whether you want to build an immersive terrain for your tabletop gaming sessions, a stunningly detailed dollhouse, or a breathtaking diorama, here are some themes to consider for your next project with 75mm miniatures.
75mm fantasy miniatures
We’ve started this article with hobbits and a wizard, so why not go a bit further down the fantastical lane? Miniatures and fantasy go hand in hand, most notably when it comes to popular tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons and Warhammer. But 75mm fantasy miniatures also make an amazing theme for dioramas. After all, when building a fantasy world there are no rules limiting you, only your own imagination. What kind of fantasy figures and creatures would you have roam in your miniature world? What otherworldly structures would you erect? With this in mind, consider the shoppable gems below for your fantastical build.
75mm steampunk miniatures
Let’s hop on to the next theme – beware, it’s gonna get steamy. Steampunk is a genre of science fiction that imagines a post-apocalyptic world where steam power is the dominant technology. You can create a diorama that showcases this aesthetic by using materials like metal, wood, gears, pipes, and wires. Meanwhile characters are dressed in a style where the Industrial Revolution meets Victorian Romanticism. In addition, you can feature familiar steam powered vehicles and machines, or invent new ones, like an airship. As you can probably already tell, the steampunk theme makes for some of the most amazing miniature scenes. From the adventures of sky pirates to the laboratory that alchemists’ dreams are made of. So get your gears going and check out the steampunk miniatures below.
75mm medieval diorama
When you think of European medieval times, what image comes to mind? Chivalrous knights in shiny armour? Minstrels and feasts in large castle halls? Colorful gowns and tapestries? Or rather the darker, bleak sight of a battlefield or a siege? As you can see, there are many ways you can go when creating your own scene with medieval miniatures. Whether it’s a diorama of two armies clashing or a dollhouse furnished in medieval style, building in a historical theme will bring back a little bit of the days of yore. So if you’re thinking of tapping into your inner stonemason, below are some shop finds you might like to incorporate.
75mm vintage diorama
Whether you were born in the previous century or the current, most of us can relate to the sense of nostalgia from eras past. So if you could pick a decade from the 20th century to set a vintage diorama in, which one would it be? You can recreate scenes from your favorite movies or books, build a bustling street or decorate the retro interior of your dreams. While we’re in that old-timey mood, let’s look at a few vintage models we’ve found on the good ol’ web.
75mm fairy tale diorama
If you’re going for timeless whimsy, then a fairy tale diorama might be the theme for you. Let Hansel and Gretel stumble upon the candy cottage in the forest, or make a long braid for Rapunzel to let down her tall, quaint tower. Mermaids, witches, knights… oh the rabbit hole of possibilities that awaits. On that note, below are some miniature assets that might just be the perfect starting point for your own fairy tale creation.
In conclusion
As you’ve seen, 75mm miniatures are small things with big potential. While they can be impressively detailed in their own right, 75mm figurines fully come into their own when immersed in thematic scenes. Whether it’s in the context of a tabletop game, or world building in a detailed diorama. In this article, we’ve looked at a few popular categories. From the imaginative fantasy miniatures, steampunk miniatures and fairy tale dioramas to historical (re)creations with medieval miniatures and vintage dioramas. Now the question remains: what would you build?
