Building the Pinnacle Creek Mining & Timber Co. RR

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I hate scenicking. The very first time I did it (without reading a single thing) I got lucky and it looked pretty good.
Since then, my every effort has gotten progressively worse. I figured I'd have to model the northern section of the Polar Express.

But your examples inspire me to try again.
Thanks Jim
 
Thanks dm and KB.

Scenery is a skill, I have to admit that. The object of this whole thread is help readers get beyond their issues and build some pleasing scenery that makes them happy. What you all seem to like about my work is that it is detailed and fairly realistic. Thanks. But, many readers here feel that what I produce is impossible for them. Not true, style is style, and no matter what your work will not look like mine. However, if you follow what I show and tell closely your work will be better than you are used to.

Pay attention. This is layout number three in this thread. I'm restating the same stuff I did at the beginning of the thread. If you follow closely I guarantee you will have the best scenery on your block! Jim:)
 
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Thanks Mike.

Before we get to rock weathering class we should make sure the rocks we are working with are the color we want. I've noticed that once plaster or Sculptamold dries it generally lightens in color, especially Sculptamold. This is not an insurmountable problem because we can make a mixture of india ink or black acrylic for a wash and paint our rocks. I used india ink this time around, though I seem to mostly use black acrylic. Here are my rocks after drying. I tinted the Sculptamold in the mixing bowl. I went on just about right but dried much lighter.

IMG_8176_zpsymtc0gjp.jpg


Now my cup is empty and the rocks look more gray. The cracks have filled in and I like the result.

IMG_8177_zps6kd8197h.jpg


Jim:)
 
I'm about caught up on the work you did while I was out riding , excellent. I really liked the lit buildings and the scenery is really popping.
 
Lynn, I wondered where you were?

Okay, I've darkened the river gorge rocks and if you care to go back a few pages an look for this same photo you can see the darkening effects here.

IMG_8178_zpsevmlh1c5.jpg


Next up, Thursday, will be an easy peasy way to weather rocks. 'til then, Jim :)
 
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About those rocks.

Weathering rocks contains all sort of mysteries. Many things can be involved in weathering them: Sponges; chalk; carving implements; dilutions of liquid additives; even paint. If you look at the photo above you seem some gray rocks. Pretty dull and lifeless if you ask me. Something has to be done to bring them to life. In the photo below I've show the rocks from a different view and will show you how to weather your rocks and make them like 'real' rocks out in the real world. Plus, I will do all this without even touching the rocks on the layout.

IMG_8181_zpsjzyfakja.jpg


How can this be? Simple, but before more attention to the rocks we must add our ground covers to the painted plaster areas first. I start with Woodland Scenics Earth Blend and shake it on the painted plaster cloth. Of course I sprayed glue on the painted cloth first, then shake the Earth Blend ground cover. This ground cover is used to represent dirt. Remember, there is dirt under all grass. I will let this first ground cover dry for a few hours. Then I will spray glue and shake more 'earth' on the spots I may have missed. Let dry over night.

I use a simple sprayer for my spray glue. Notice in the photo below I have some layers of pouring (grasses) already started.

IMG_8183_zpstiqzopwv.jpg


In the next photo you can see what I have after the overnight drying. This drying is important because repeated applications of material will put so much spray glue on the areas that it will start running and ruin your work. Once this Earth Blend is dried running is eliminated.

Almost finished! In this photo you will see layers of Earth Blend, Burnt Grass static grass, golden yellow static grass, green static grass, and some heavier sprinkles of coarser ground covers. Doesn't look too bad and of course spray glue was used between each of these applications.

IMG_8185_zpsuy67mns6.jpg


Oh! About those rocks check them out. They're almost finished being weathered and detailed! In this final photo I merely brush them back and forth with a brush and because of the spray glue used the rocks are a bit tacky and all those ground covers adhere. I find brushing adds a more realistic look and help fill in crevses for a realistic look.

IMG_8185_zpsuy67mns6.jpg


In this photo is close up of a rock. The top is clear and bottom near the ground covers is covered a bit waiting for the brushing.

IMG_8186_zps3zzlz5oy.jpg


So I've weathered and detailed my rocks without a care in the world using only a paint brush. Jim :)
 
Looking good Jim.Doing scenery is probably one of my favorite parts of the hobby, I just have a hard time committing to a design in the area of the layout.
 


One of the ideas I'm considering is using real rocks in this application. While we're on the subject, do you have any recommendations to incorporate rocks in? Or perhaps ideas why you would use your method versus using actual rocks?
 
RR, The first consideration is weight I guess. There is nothing wrong with real rock if your benchwork will bear the weight. The only time I used them, I guess, I was bothered with the thought they weren't in scale. I was in Z then and I remembered they just didn't look 'right.' Castings are made from real rocks so I guess the issue is one of weight. Jim :)
 
If you refer to the previous photo you got a shot at half the rock being weathered. This shot shows the whole rock finished as with some of the rocks around it. Simply brushing ground covers off with a brush when damp will give you pretty realistic look. In this photo below, no bushes are planted yet, simply different ground covers. Jim:)
IMG_8189_zpsgxdxqcle.jpg
 
Thanks fellows, much appreciated.

While back muscle pain (severe) has slowed me down a bit I have been able to get the layout mostly covered with ground covers like this photo shows.

IMG_8190_zpsmxepseva.jpg


I mentioned a page or so back the ground cover ingredients. I'm only able to work in about 15/20 minute sessions these days whereas a two years ago it seemed 2 hours at a time a couple of times a day was no big deal. Don't get old is my best advice I can give modelers these days. On this layout I have mixed my 'dirt' to be a bit lighter and more brown than on previous layouts. It seems to brighten the layout and that is a goal this time around.

Also I mentioned a year ago that I have a surprise for all of you. It didn't happened this past Spring, but I believe you will get your surprise in Jan/Feb next year. Guess all you want. Jim:D
 
The scene looks good Jim.
When I had saw you had posted in the Active Topics, my first thought before coming to your thread was,strange use to see alot more of Jim's posts, realize now that your slowing down a bit from getting more mature. I'll try to be more patient in my expectations.
Looking forward to a surprise.
 


HOexplorer said:
Thanks fellows, much appreciated.

While back muscle pain (severe) has slowed me down a bit I have been able to get the layout mostly covered with ground covers like this photo shows.

IMG_8190_zpsmxepseva.jpg


I mentioned a page or so back the ground cover ingredients. I'm only able to work in about 15/20 minute sessions these days whereas a two years ago it seemed 2 hours at a time a couple of times a day was no big deal. Don't get old is my best advice I can give modelers these days. On this layout I have mixed my 'dirt' to be a bit lighter and more brown than on previous layouts. It seems to brighten the layout and that is a goal this time around.

Also I mentioned a year ago that I have a surprise for all of you. It didn't happened this past Spring, but I believe you will get your surprise in Jan/Feb next year. Guess all you want. Jim:D
Click to expand...

Take your time Jim! Whats the rush?
Mike
 
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