Trying out a micro layout (or close to one).

[Guilford Railman]

Can they be hand painted on the road?

It’s certainly possible I would think! I haven’t thought about painting them but it might make the most sense with that approach.

 

[Guilford Railman]

I’ve decided to include the Goodnight Mattress Factory on my layout instead of the two other industrial buildings I bought at the train show. I really like the look of the kit and I know I’ll be happier having it. I’ve taped it together temporarily the same as the other kits to get an idea of what it looks like.

As you can see in the photos, I’ve glued down some of the 1/16” cork sheeting to raise the structures. I will have to sand the cork sheets below the downtown district buildings ever so slightly as it’s just a bit too high to accomplish what I would like. Shouldn’t be too much work and after doing so, I’ll be able to begin work on the structures.

Lastly, if you take a look at the retaining walls, you’ll notice the color is slightly different again. After many attempts and struggles, I found a color I am more than satisfied with

 

[Guilford Railman]

I’ve put down the last piece of cork sheeting for the structure foundations. I still need to sand the plaster for the corner bakery structure but once that is complete, I’ll be moving onto my next task. It will most likely be a combination of prepping the structures for assembly and painting the foundational colors for the rock faces.

One thing I am trying to decide on is if I should paint the tunnel portals a different color. I’m thinking they should be the classic stone color versus the concrete color I have them as currently.

 

[NorthBrit]

Tunnel portals would have been there a good number of years and suffered those years of weathering.
A dirty, smoky gray colour would be my suggestion.

 

[Guilford Railman]

Tunnel portals would have been there a good number of years and suffered those years of weathering.
A dirty, smoky gray colour would be my answer.

I agree! I was planning to lightly weather the concrete portals with a darker gray but I think painting them smoky gray and weathering that will create a better result.

 

[Guilford Railman]

Progress continues! I’ve gone ahead and painted the foundational layer of paint for the rock faces. I’m using a technique from Rons Trains N Things. Here’s the link to the video I’m using as a tutorial:

I’ve also painted the tunnel portals a darker gray color. I need to touch up around the edges a bit and after that I’ll work on finding a weathering technique I want to use for them.

 

[Topherisme]

Nice!!!

 

[Guilford Railman]

Nice!!!

Thanks!

 

[NorthBrit]

Looking good, GuilfordRailman.
I am sure you will not forget the ingrained 'smoke' on the portals.

 

[Guilford Railman]

Looking good, GuilfordRailman.
I am sure you will not forget the ingrained 'smoke' on the portals.

I was actually just googling some images of tunnel portals to get a sense of how to achieve that!

I feel as tho I painted the portals too dark so I’m trying to decide on how to go about weathering this and if I need to paint them a lighter coat. Would a lighter gray wash do the trick?

 

[2Tracks]

Nice build....I like what you've done......

 

[Guilford Railman]

Nice build....I like what you've done......

Thanks! It’s still got a good amount of work to go on it but it’s coming along.

 

[NorthBrit]

I am a firm believer in looking at something I want to build. Looking at what I see and not what I think I saw.
Off course, many times I have to go by photographs etc.
You say that you feel as though you have painted the portals too dark? Then you have. (If you do not change it it will annoy you every time you look at it.)
Paint anything its original colour and weather it appropriately. It is easier to darken things than trying to lighten them.

My wife gave me some make-up powders she no longer wanted. I find them really good for getting into tiny places.

Hope that helps

 

[logandsawman]

Looking good, GuilfordRailman.
I am sure you will not forget the ingrained 'smoke' on the portals.

Soot black weathering powder applied with a dry brush may be the solution

 

[Guilford Railman]

You say that you feel as though you have painted the portals too dark? Then you have. (If you do not change it it will annoy you every time you look at it.)

I think you’re right! Considering I’m already annoyed at it haha. I’ll redo it to my satisfaction and weathering it accordingly afterwards. Thanks!

 

[Guilford Railman]

It was finally warm enough outside today to spray some of the building components with gray primer.

 

[Guilford Railman]

I’ve taken the time to move onto the second step of coloring the rock faces. I mixed up a small batch of paint to create a pinkish/brownish color and diluted it with water before applying it to the rock faces.

Tomorrow I’ll work on the third step of applying an India Ink and Isopropyl alcohol wash.

 

[Guilford Railman]

I’ve repainted the tunnel portals (again) and I’m satisfied now with the color.

Needs a touchup of course but afterwards I’ll work on applying the weathering effects.

I’ve also applied the India Ink and alcohol was to the rocks. I think it turned out pretty well!

Last step for the rocks is to dry brush white acrylic paint onto the surface to simulate sun highlights.

 

[Topherisme]

Nice job, all your projects looking great

 

[Guilford Railman]

Nice job, all your projects looking great

Thank you!