Building the Pinnacle Creek Mining & Timber Co. RR

[Railrunner130]

As soon as I saw Jim's comments on rock color, I was wondering about a more brown/red color.

 

[HOexplorer]

RR, On my test diorama that I originally did the color experiments for the Southern Division I had red/brown rocks. I wasn't keen on the way they turned out. I added ochre color and got it just right. Somewhere along the line my mixing ratios got out of whack and I felt I had to do something different. Since the right side of the layout is mostly gray I simply added a spray that actually make a more realistic coloring for this layout as a whole. I really like how my squirter, not fine mist type, actually went on in spots. By moving or not moving the sprayer I think these rocks are much better. Simply walking into the room makes an amazing difference. Jim

 

[Sirfoldalot]

You do very well by starting out light and then accenting different areas the way you have.
Most modelers, including myself, tend to make scenery too dark -- something to do with the way our mind remembers colors.

 

[HOexplorer]

Sherrel, Correct. Starting out light and adding additional washes is the tried and true method and has been with us for decades.

I'm almost finished with the refurb and here is a teaser photo. Jim

photo not found.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

That is just an awesome photo!
If I were the "contest winner" ... I might be tempted to trade.

 

[Lynnb]

REFURB DISCUSSION:

First off, there is little or nothing incorrect about the left side of the layout. The NMRA fellows said it as great and if there was something wrong at least one guy I know would have said so. BUT, I was never happy about the finished 'color' of the rocks. I did some testing before putting the Sculptamold on the layout. I didn't write down the paint mixing formula that I liked in the test and naturally these rocks didn't come out the way I had planned. In photos they looked a bit washed out and just didn't look right. With these thoughts in my mind and reading the article on refurbishing layouts I decided to "refurb" my left side of the layout.

First, I would have to change the rock color. This sounds easy, but I didn't want some dull grayish paint job covering the rocks that would have to have additional 'washes' to bring out highlights. I still wanted different rocks than the right side of the layout, but would settle for 'first cousin' rocks. I went to my test piece and painted three washes on the rocks. Acceptable, but still not right. Instead of highlighting the rocks I ended up with a bit of a dull look. I'm not blaming Sculptamold for this just the application, by me, technique. Finally, I remembered a spray bottle under the sink that was empty. I mixed Woodland Scenics Black with water and gave my test rock a couple of squirts. Success. I made the mix just a bit darker and headed for the layout. I discretely chose an out of the way place and gave it a couple of squirts moving the squirter so all the liquid doesn't hit the same place thus making the result like the original wash test. In this photo you can see sprayed rocks and the lighter rocks not sprayed.

Simply by moving the squirter at all times while spraying I found that this result really pleases me. The rocks seem to come alive and are much more pleasing to the naked eye and camera. Here's a close up:

So after all the recoloring I've ended up with this photo. It shows rocks that more look like rocks and that, after all, is what modeling is all about. STAY tuned to Part Two of the refurb.

I think the left side looks amazing. I always assume the colors on the layouts I view look different in person but if you say this needs a color job than it must. I use the woodland scenic colors and they seem to work well and are consistant.

 

[HOexplorer]

Sherrel, Thanks. Actually, I haven't been able to get Terry's photo to the store yet! I hope he doesn't get mad at me.

Lynn, I would say at colors are different in person. My problem was I couldn't duplicate the color I had chosen in the first place. Spraying this with diluted WS Black has made all the difference. Jim

 

[tootnkumin]

I have noticed that digital cameras don't always depict colors accurately. Went to look at a car once that was going real cheap for it's model. The pic on the sales website showed an unusual but not too bad egg-shell blue. When we got there it was the most ghastly green you could imagine. Certainly explained the cheap price.

 

[HOexplorer]

Thanks Toot, but not my camera!

Tomorrow.....TREES! Jim

 

[Lynnb]

Sherrel, Thanks. Actually, I haven't been able to get Terry's photo to the store yet! I hope he doesn't get mad at me.

Lynn, I would say at colors are different in person. My problem was I couldn't duplicate the color I had chosen in the first place. Spraying this with diluted WS Black has made all the difference. Jim

Yes I've used the ws black quite a bit to tone down and make all the detail in the rock pop out. I'm going to assume you use it like I do watered down in a squirt bottle.

 

[HOexplorer]

Lynn, This time around I used the squirt bottle as I have on layouts past. However, I got away from it on the previous PCM&T layout that used stucco patch for rocks and use a combination of brush and eyedropper for applying black wash. Also, WS makes a Slate Grey color. I don't recommend it for rock washes without testing first. It kind of dulls the look and doesn't make rock cracks and crevices come alive. Jim

PS I've been having problems with my computer lately. I don't seem to be able to use the 'smilies' anymore here?

 

[HOexplorer]

REFURB PART 2: First I recolored the rocks. Then I added some trees. What I've shown is that with the simplest additions to your layout or module you can have a new look. You may even like the new look better than the old one. This is all good. So if you find yourself in a rut, step back and evaluate what you might do to make your work even better. This was such an easy project plus I really like it. Makes the layout look like more of Southern Colorado and less New Mexico perhaps, but it still retains the 'dry' area look. Later today I will post some 'before and after' photos for comparison. Until then here is the broad look of work accomplished. Jim

Sorry photo will not post.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Personally, I can't decide if I like the added trees or not.
I think that you need a few "leafy" trees in the washes - where they would get runoff water.

 

[HOexplorer]

Sherrel, You bring up a good point, namely 'liking' the original desert or with the makeover. I tend to like the new rock color and trees better, but I'm into photography so trees always seem to liven things up. Modeling the barren desert type area is probably always going to be a no win situation. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. So like which ever and be at peace. Jim

 

[HOexplorer]

REFURB: Remember this photo?

Now it looks like this:

So basically we are allowed to make our own judgements and like which ever. The refurb is the lesson here. Jim

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Supurb !!!

 

[HOexplorer]

Thanks Sherrel.

Here's one I took the other day.

Cannot load this photo.

The thing about trees is that they help us 'frame' our photos rather that just having the subject in the middle. Jim

 

[HOexplorer]

Remember if you have any questions about anything you see or don't see here about model railroading or photography please ask away. Maybe some shy visitor may be able to learn something. Jim

 

[A2TwrOpr]

Great pics Jim!

 

[Lynnb]

Kind of speechless Jim, scene looks so great. And at the same time I'm still working through the thread, back on page 128.