The central VA door layout progress

I've heard of that, but I don't use it around the tracks. I've been using dirt like this for years and never had any trouble.

Just to be safe though I am going to use some manufactured dirt along the ROW.

 

And for todays work...



I added static grass to the hills and some fine and coarse turf to slopes by the river.

 

I noticed there are some varying shades of green in there could you elaborate on your technique on the grass? You've already told us about using the woodland scenics silfor grass, but what about color and those other bits of green we see? And who makes it? How about those trees?

Maybe a photo album or blog of plaster to scenery could help?

 

Well, my "plaster to scenery" methods are pretty much on this thread, but I did throw this together quickly.



My main thing is that I use the WS light green static grass as a base layer for everything. The "toppings" are:

- WS coarse turf burnt grass for bushes.

- WS fine turf burnt grass for color and texture

- WS fine green blend turf for more color and texture. I only use small sprinklings of this as it is very vivid.

I apply all these randomly and always make sure to leave plenty of the static grass showing.

BTW the coarse turf atop the cut in the background and the coarse turf in the foreground are the same color, just the foreground turf is is wet so it looks darker, incase that was what you were referencing had " different shades".

Hope that answered your questions...

 

Oh, and an advantaged to the static grass is that you can rub small amounts of fine turf into it and then vacuum the turf out leaving the static grass "stained". Its a cool way vary the shades of the grass.

Ok... I'm done.

 

Scenery details...

Right o' then, I've added a fence in one of the pastures and stuck in some tuft's of dry grass, made from Sycamore tree seed clumps.

The seed clump...


The stuff from inside it on the layout.


The whole scene...

 

Forest floor...

So then... here's some MORE progress! I hope you guys are not getting sick of this!

Forest floor...

Gluing down ground up leaves, ground foam and twigs. A little static grass is sprinkled on the wet glue as well.


With some super trees...




Hmmm, I need to paint those trunks...

 

You are doing a fantastic job!!

I like the colors you are using, what are you using for paints?

Craig

 

Very nice Dude!
Did you scratch build the fence? Is it a candidate for CEQ?

 

Hardly sick of it. We are all groveling. We are not worthy oh great scenery one.

 

If you mean for the rocks, then I am using diluted polly scale paints. I just use reefer white for the base color and add black and brown accordingly.

The Earth color is just a tan latex paint.

Yup, I scratched the fence, but what is CEQ?

Awe shucks...:tb-embarrassed:

 

Alright!

I've finally got enough scenery to make photos like this.

 

CEQ = Is my thread on "Cheap Easy and Quick" projects.
Cheap Easy and Quick Awards - TrainBoard.com
Can you give us an idea of "How I Did it"?

 

Heavy undergrowth...

I've added some polyfiber and coarse turf to the fields. It was looking to "front lawnish" and not enough like the overgrown hills of Virginia!

Before. To imaculate.


After. Thats a bit betta'!


Close up on forest edge.

 

Very good illustration of how a simple change can have a HUGE visual impact on a layout. Nicely done. Jamie

 

Riverside trees...

Ok, I added some trees along the riverbank!


The whole scene as it is now...


As usual, Questions? Comments? criticism?

 

You have some exceptional scenic skills my friend. What did you use for the dead leaves on the forest floor, and also what materials for the trees? Will you be opening a dam up stream to give some water to the scene or will it be a dry creek bed?

 

Thanks man. The dead leaves are, da ta, dead leaves! I just grind them up in a blender. I've head that natural stuff like this can rot or mold but its never happened to me. I think as long the leaves are perfectly dry when you glue them down it should be good. Hey, Lou Sassi does it!

The trees are Scenic Express super trees with Woodland Scenics ground foam. The trees in the background of the first shot ( where the tracks go into the backdrop) are super trees with some polyfiber stuck to thicken them out.

And water is coming after I finish the main scenery work. I don't want some matte medium dribbling down onto it and killing the glossing surface!

 

New fence...

I just added this...





The old fence looked a bit to large to me, so I used tiny nails and fine black thread to make this new fence. I need to finish the rest of the fence though or it won't keep cattle out very well.:tb-biggrin: