I bet a number of you savvy this same downer : In a forum, a MRR mag, or even on kit package covers we are floored by the excellent RR depictions of the scenery, structures, weathering, engine detail, lighting, et al. So, why is it that folks who have such an excellent eye and modeling ability to accomplish all this so well still put glossy, ill-proportioned figures and motor vehicles who's tires are always glossy into these scenes ? I can't count the number of times I've seen this same mistake and wonder why, after doing such fabulous work, they foul it up with these 'misfits'. I just bought a prebuilt HO D&RG type water tank. The model is fine. But the box cover is crawling with these. Same in a recent RRMC mag. I'd rather view a scene having no figures at all as opposed to figures such as these ruining an otherwise perfect scene. The hobby has made so many advances, especially in the detail department. Why does this little bummer still persist ? If everyone would at least dulcote these, especially RR track gangs and laborers' overalls, and caps it would become a lot more realistic and convincing a scene, I'd think...Not flaming here. Just bringing up something which never seems to be addressed (or is it 'dressed' ?) . Mark PS. Don't get me started on Bachmann glossy, 'twin brother' engine crews !
I have tried some figures in my scenes and many times I've pulled them and for the same reason you have addressed. But some scenes work or at least in my opinion. Like this scene attached. I made the girls skirt and painted it a bit. I also gave them a shot of dulcote.
Totally Agree! Such a let down when I open a magazine and see glaring errors as you say, but these warrant prime magazine space... beg belief to me. If you have a weathered engine, rolling stock and buildings then you should have weathered vehicles and people Rant over
I like a mix of shiny cars and dull cars, although lately I've been neglectful and the shiny cars are getting a bit too common. I like to give figures either an India Ink wash or even a hint of weathering powder along with the Dull Coat. It brings out the details.
A friend of mine brought some T-Trak modules to the N scale convention in Roanoke last month. They depict the circus coming to town. There is a really cool parade down main street, a huge circus tent, a siding with a circus train and the obligatory midway with all the booths for games and food. He has placed literally thousands of people in the midway. I think he gets the bonus bags off ebay filled with pre-painted figures. A few things bothered me about the midway scene. First the crowd was evenly spaced, no groups of people and no empty spaces, just a homogenous pattern of random people . All the people were shiny and all had shiny back hair. Not a ginger, a blond or a brunette in the bunch. But my biggest criticism was there was no place for all those people to go pee. A missed opportunity to have a row of out houses or modern port-a-potties with lines forming to use them.
This is something more folks could do. Alone, it would go a long way toward minimizing Mark's complaint.
Something that gets old quick for static display is figures engaged in some unusual action: Bank robbery, Fighting fire, Home Run swing, etc. The ones that have the best effect are those in a static pose : Sitting, standing upright talking, laying, etc. When you are talking about photography rather than in person this changes a bit and some of the in-action poses can look right occasionally.
Thanks for supportive replies. I'm always amazed over the positive comments when I open the page again. I'm usually expecting to get allot of flack when challenging ages old MRRing tradition. Candy, it's the shinny blue skirt. I'd definitely dull that way down. otherwise, nice scene.
I would agree that for photos figures should be slightly out of focus. Otherwise the figures become the subject of the picture because our eyes naturally want to see the people. Candies picture is fine to my eyes because I wouldn't get that close looking at the layout. These days with all the computer image modifying tools, it's actually easy to dull down certain areas of a shot. That picture needs to be "fixed in post", as they say.
Geek, how do you make figures out of focus in relation to rest of photo ? I'm just siting figures that are too shiny (overalls, clothing, shoes, caps, most auto wheels, et al, and that some dulcote could fix this in a flash ( or camera flash !). And some figures are poorly proportioned too (Though that's a matter of preference ). Then just take pictures as usual. No ?
Yeah. 10-4 on desription of scene. I think this and evenly placed and sized clouds are kissin' cousins. Next is the photo or painted- on buildings on backdrop; the conflicting vanishing points problem. Mark
Just like in New York City, people PEE everywhere, so there is a prototype for it. People Pee between cars, in doorways, alleys, parks, elevators, subway platforms and on the trains and buses. If you are not careful they will even pee on your leg. Everywhere, anytime.
Just saw someone pissing right next to their car last night, in Mcdonalds parking lot when there is a mens room in same. I go there to use their wifi as none yet at home, not to have anything but their coffee. Also, I grew up in NYC. So I'm very aware of the urine stenches in the subway entrances.....Hey, that's it ! Build a model subway system and dab urine all over it for authenticity......!
Eewwwh! Mark, too much info. The best I saw in person was a layout at the train show in Green Bay, WI. There was mugging in the alley and on a roof top was a gun fight with several dead, among other scenes. All had a natural coloring. Another nice scene Candy. As usual.
