Started on new diorama

[tankist]

in order to get out of the routine i started on new small diorama. the idea is to have some fun, gain skills and have perhaps a better location to photograph locos and rolling stock.

overview of first steps - the pink. since my original cliffs are not something i'm considering investing into WS rock molds this time...

future trestle.

 

[UP2CSX]

Looks like a good start, Anton. With some sculptamold, you can carve some pretty convincing rocks into the pink foam, especially if you're doing a southwestern theme. The trestle would be a good place for a dry wash, running along the grade, to cross the tracks.

 

[tankist]

cast a wall and tried my hand at carving. i knew i'm a poor sculptor but after half an hour irealised just ho poor. tonight went with dad to help him move stuff and a hobby loby store happened to be in the way. broke down and got me rock mold.

some cast rocks
this will look much better then my pathetic carvings...

 

[stationmaster]

Anton, I use those molds ALOT!!!! Woodland Scenics makes a bevy of them for all different moods. I know you will like them much better than whittling down foam board, and MUCH less messy. They weather/color up nice with washes too.

Bob

 

[tankist]

glued the cast rock pieces to the wall and filled the gaps. looks awesome to me. infact i think i'm going to revisit the rocks on my main layout.

trestle abutment (no vertical supports yet)

 

[railBuilderDhd]

Progress, nice progress. I can't wait to start to see color.

Dave

 

[Dougget]

Looks good. It's fun to really focus on a couple of square feet. I did mine mostly to experiment with materials and techniques. Definitely got some lessons learned out of it.
Doug

 

[tankist]

continuing the trestle

 

[tankist]

tried painting the trestle. on photo it much easier to see areas in need of touch up

 

[Will_annand]

Coming along nicely Anton. I like how you have blended the rocks.
You have also done a very nice job on the litle trestle.

 

[quadk]

That is a fine job so far!! The trestle looks great.

 

[tankist]

thank you guys


removed the black plastic ties and glued in the wooden ones. will need to figure out what to do for spikes
the boards near the edge not yet glued in.

 

[tankist]

finished and painted the trestle. track is not attached yet.

took on painting the cliffs - first try at using an airbrush.
blew a coat of india ink/isopropyl on it. covered mostly everything but somehow it didn't reach the deepest cracks. so i did another run this time working the cracks from very close distance literally drenching and making the ink mix run. mixed burnt sienna acrylic with white pigment and lots of water. tried to brush it and almost had a heart attack - seemed that I was overdoing the color, so i brushed it with just water trying to spread it creating puddles on the clifs (layed it flat on the table).

wife, who is usually VERY critical of my work (she is not of a people who sweet talk things. with her its always between the eyes) suddenly really liked it, which i guess means its not all bad. but still, somehow i'm not 100% satisfied with the results...
something needs to be done. your hard critique and suggestions how to fix/ improve are welcome.

overview

another

painted trestle

here is the album. modified it to allow everybody to original pictures. click on individual pic and select "Get Original Uploaded Photo" to see the full 4800x2800 pixel image

 

[quadk]

Looking great. Like the color of the trestle.

 

[stationmaster]

Anton, I've found that "sponging" on the base color is much faster and a bit easier for the "base" color. Of course, when using India ink, rubber gloves are a necessity. Nice job, looks good.

I've used the "sponge" technique for years. Daubing on the color and let nature and gravity do its work. Using a soft sponge also allows me to get into the cracks and crevices. I then go back with another sponge and different color textures followed by airbrushing the highlights. I've even used "rattle cans" to spray highlights, mostly using an "overspray" technique. And I've added texture by adding real dirt, glued in place. Amazing what can be done with a simple casting with a bit of imagination. Adding a fine covering of greenery also adds color and texture. Imitates those plants that can grow anywhere. o

I knew a guy that thought the gloves were unnecessary in the application of an India ink mix. His hands looked "dirty" for a month!!!! lol

Bob

 

[tankist]

ballasted and did a bit of landscaping work.
after everything dries up i will be touching up on things here and there. and first probably be dimming the flamy/ rusty rails

some shrubbery under the trestle

some vegetation on the cliffs

 

[Habbyguy]

Looks great, good job.

 

[stationmaster]

Anton, my current layout started with a single diorama. I was getting bit tired of the layout I'd had for 15 or so years, a static L-beam that had dust bunnies under it large enough to swallow a cat. L-shaped, rather archaic in design and features. Built a diorama one day, though without any idea of beginning a new layout, and it all began. 12 years later, it's still evolving.

I'm trying to find the inspiration to turn a bunch of luaun doors into 24"x72" diramas. I want something unique, that's gonna be a tough one. I've thought of a "throw-back", one using some of my old brass rail, switches, old engines and such. The scene is what's holding me back. I've thought of a scene with a rail gang repairing track, but I think 6' of that would be a bit boring. Maybe a train wreck. Or a scene with trains and trollies/street cars running down Main Street.....(they used to do so in Lafayette, Indiana). I just can't get the picture in my head to start. I'll get a bit of Jim Beam in my system one day and get the idea, I'm sure. Maybe even a working diorama where the engines actually move back and forth.... Maybe I'll do something other than HO scale. O or N maybe.

Very nice job on yours. Props given.

Bob

 

[tankist]

TY, Bob



tried to dumb down the reddish rail color. used the same mixture of paint as main layout. will need to touch up couple places with a brush but it is much better, IMHO. still lots of greenery to plant

while guard rail is in the works, spikes are dfinetly missing here. me thinks sewing pins should make neat spike heads.

 

[FunValleyLine]

Um how about HO spikes for handlaid tracks.

Very nice work and I love the whole job!!