LOOK: Filipino artist creates Pinoy palengke in hyper-realistic diorama

The artist also paid attention to the smallest details that made the whole model realistic, such as a D.I.Y. store sign in the wet market, fresh goods on display, hanging tarpaulins as additional cover from the sun and rain, kariton, and garbage around the area. 

He also imitated the faded or worn-out printed ads pasted on the walls and electric posts, walis tingting and a dustpan outside the house, and even the water flowing from a sewage pipe. 

According to Gloria, the project was made from Sintra board, foam board, wood plank, popsicle sticks, tin cans, airdry clay, metal strings and bonsai wires, and other recyclable materials such as thread, fabrics, papers, and plastics. For the coloring, he mainly used acrylic paints.  

Sharing his creative process, Gloria told PhilSTAR L!fe that before starting the project, he ensures that the concept and the whole plan—from dimension, scale, and what must be included—are all laid out to prepare the needed materials.

He also makes sure to put his art style in his works. 

“Lagi kong isinasaisip na dapat naiapply ko po yung style ko, na kahit na ang hyper realistic na diorama ay magkakamukha lalo na kung iisa ang concept na napipili...makikilala ko po o nila, sana, yung gawa ko,” he said.  

Gloria shared that the commissioned project costs over P30,000 (plus shipping fee), and he worked on it for eight hours every day for a month. For other projects, he shared with L!fe that he usually follows a basic rate for a basic measurement, which ranges from P20,000 to P30,000 depending on the project size and the number of needed items inside the artwork. 

Gloria started doing diorama projects in November 2023, which he learned by researching. 

“Natuto ako sa sarili kong paaraan at kaunting tulong ng research lalo na sa mga materials na hindi ako familiar. Tuloy-tuloy lang po sa pag-create at hanggang sa kusa na akong nag-iimprove,” he said, sharing that he had created eight dioramas since starting last year. 

He added that he is the only one making the projects, from planning, and preparing, to execution. 

“Minsan sa planning po may kaunting ibinibigay ang client kapag made to order. Sila nagdidikta ng ilang mga bagay na  gusto nila makita,” he said.  

The Quezon province-based artist shared that he uses almost anything he can utilize like recyclable materials. Otherwise, he buys from school and art supplies stores and informer online. 

For aspiring artists who also want to try and build hyper-realistic dioramas, Gloria said to keep practicing and observing.   

“Kahit naman po ako hanggang ngayon nagaaral pa rin ako at pinipilit na mas matuto pa, marami pa akong dapat matutunan. [Keep] learning at palaging magpractice, 'wag magdududa sa ability at mag-observe sa paligid para maimprove yung skill sa pagbuild, pagsculpt at pati sa coloring,” he shared.