Making Little World Workshop models
At Little World Workshop, every model is more than just a collection of materials—it’s a singular work of art, hand-crafted over hours, days, weeks even. Whether displayed as a standalone diorama or as a feature within a model railway, each piece tells a story, with beautiful miniature scenes that look stunning as display pieces or blend seamlessly into a model railway bringing a story and presence to any setting. Here’s a look at how I make these one-of-a-kind creations:
Inspiration & concept: where stories begin
All my creations start with a simple spark—often from overlooked details in everyday life. An abandoned old hut, grass breaking through broken stones of a road, peeling paint on a barn door can set my imagination in motion.
Cornwall’s industrial history, with its old ruins, also inspires me. The crumbling chimneys and deserted mines stand alone as nature takes over. There’s a character in this mix of decay and beauty, which I try to capture in my industrial models—a nostalgic nod to history. (I can spend hours exploring these sites, gathering ideas and details for future projects). This is particularly the case for the small scenes I make for model railways.
Fantasy adds another angle. My whimsical scenes draw from myths and folklore, particularly from Norse, Celtic and Anglo Saxon legends, with ancient monuments, caves, water and forests often speaking my imagination, conjuring up images of magical portals and gateways to other realms guarded by magical beings.
From small moments, stories emerge—each rich with detail, humour, and heart. I envision people and animals in scenes of daily life, absorbed in comical, heartfelt, or relatable activities, each with a backstory that explains why they’re in this specific moment. I then select a pivotal scene, transforming it into a frozen moment that feels alive, inviting viewers to imagine the seconds before and after. This focus on a single moment adds depth and draws people in, creating a model that feels both personal and immersive.
Once the idea is in place, I sketch out the structures, figures, and objects to tell the story I have in mind. I spend a lot of time here, often adjusting the design until I’m happy with it. In one scene, for example, I spent hours, tweaking the positions of two workmen and a fox, until their interaction felt natural and created the narrative I wanted.
Materials: the foundations of every scene
Each material I use demands careful work and precision to bring out its unique qualities. Paper and card are intricately cut, shaped, and layered to create delicate structures, while wood is carefully carved and textured to capture a natural, weathered look. Working with clay requires sculpting and refining each tiny detail, and metals like bronze, copper, and steel go through multiple stages to achieve the perfect aged patina. Plastics and resin, selected for their durability and sharp detail, are meticulously finished to seamlessly blend with the other materials. Even the sand, soil, and fibres used in landscapes are applied with careful attention, creating scenes that feel as if they’ve been plucked straight from reality. The effort poured into these materials transforms each model into a visually stunning piece, rich with layered detail and true-to-life textures.
Construction: building a world, one piece at a time
Building my model is a meticulous, hands-on process. Many structures are crafted from scratch, and every brick, stone, and wooden beam is individually carved, shaped and assembled by hand to achieve a look that’s rich in character. I employ modern tools, 3D printing and digital microscopes, for precision and traditional hand tools and the resulting irregular finishing to add character and a touch of uniqueness. The pieces come together in layers, with each detail adding depth until the scene feels complete. The final steps include delicate air-brushing, hand-brushing and weathering to add weathering and texture to the look.
Assembly: where the scenes take shape
With all the pieces made, the scene truly begins to take shape. For me, this is the most exciting step. Each element, from main structures to tiny figures and objects are positioned to create depth and create narrative according to the sketches from the design phase.
At this point that I can see if the pieces fit together as I envisioned.
Once I’m happy, the base is painted and decorated and the separate pieces are glued into place.
Final Touches: adding personality and story
Finally, the finishing touches are added to bring true character to each piece. These might include a rusted spade propped by a door, a weathered bucket beneath a window ledge, hand-sculpted foliage, or even birds perched on a roof. I might also add subtle warping to wooden edges where damp has set in, all adding personality and a lifelike finish. Some of these details are only noticeable up close or to the owner who knows exactly where to find them.
Quality check
Once complete, each model undergoes rigorous quality checks, ensuring every detail before it leaves my workshop. Electrical components—such as LEDs and servos —are repeatedly tested throughout the process and finally, every piece is carefully inspected under magnifying lenses and fixed or replaced if necessary.
At Little World Workshop, each creation is a testament to the time, care, and artistry that goes into every piece. Every model is a unique, hand-crafted work of art ready to find its place in the hands of someone who appreciates its story.
Explore my miniature worlds and discover a piece that sparks your imagination.