I am looking for suggestions. Is this scene looking ok? I think I need to add a little color but not sure what to do. Any suggestions? I have added more trees to the landscaping by the interloop since this picture was taken.
I like everything I see except for your twigs near the tracks. I'm afraid they don't work...at least not for me. They look too much like snapped twigs. The bark doesn't have enough scale detail and roughness to it, and the chopped ends look like a giant beaver did the dirty deed. Honestly, the rest of it looks darned good. I think I see that you have used some flocking or grass, maybe a couple of blends, and then added 'bushes' of ground foam? That is what I do, and I think it looks good if done properly...which you seem to have done. Your trees are credible, and I think I see furnace filter trees that look good. Keep up the good work. At some point, you might want to weather your water tank. But, that could be a project for a cold day in a month or two.
I think it looks very good. Some variations in the color of the ground cover may make it look better. As for being good enough all it has to be is good enough for YOU. Gary
For a first time, you are off to a good start. Just keep at it, your techniques will develop and skill levels rise.
Yea, I put the twigs down because of the dead tree I have next to the caboose. With the angle of the picture, it is hard to see the tree. The water tank was a dark brown and was hard to see in the corner so I painted it yellow
I agree, it looks great - especially being your first time. Keep up the good work, and rest assured your technique will only get better as you do more. My only nitpick would be I notice you have not ballasted your track. if you are planning on doing that, my advice would be to ballast before adding more surrounding scenery - much easier. And if you are not planning on ballasting, consider it again, it is incredible how much it does for the look of your layout.
Thanks JNXT 7707. I do plan on ballasting the track. The closest hobby shop is 65 miles one way. I could get it on ebay but I like to see first hand what I am buying when it comes to scenery material.
Looking good tramp. I like the streetlight, really adds something. As I mentioned before, you're going to be amazed at what ballasting the track will add to the overall look too. Are you going to paint your ties and rails? Also - on trees with bases, it's good to cover the bases so they don't show. Makes it look like it's really growing instead of placed on top.
I do plan on ballasting the track. I am practicing on a length of 3' track I have on a sheet of plywood. When I feel that I can do a decent job, I will move to the layout. Don't know yet about painting the ties and rails, I am not that good with my hands. I will add foliage and grass around the base of the trees, just haven't got there yet. All comments are appreciated. Thanks
If you paint your ties/rails before ballasting, you really don't need to worry about a steady hand. All you are doing is covering, don't worry about keeping paint off the tops of the rails, you take that off after you paint. I do it with a bright boy after the paint dries. With the ties, you're just covering the tops of them since the ballast will be filling in between and covering the sides. I do it with paint pens - rail brown and tie brown. Just run the pen tip along the insides and outsides of the rails, then over the tops of the ties. If you get rail brown on the tie or tie brown on the rail it's no big deal. You could do it with a bottle and paint brush but that would be a major job. The main goal is to get rid of the shiny silver sides of the rails and the jet black tops of the ties. Not absolutely necessary by any means but I think it adds a big dose of believabilty to the overall scene.
Where do you find these paint pens at? I am interested in these. Seems less messier than using an airbrush. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
An art or craft shop should carry some; remember that they don't have to be model RR colors, just colors that look appropriate. Two other suggestions - look at the "fall" trees, the brightness of the orange seems to take away from the scene, maybe add some dark turf (browns or greens) to tone them down? On the same note, some weathering on the water tank would go a long way, perhaps a dark brown or thin black wash. Keep chugging on it, and keep the photos coming!
