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I know what pain is like, I deal with it on a daily basis, and how important meds are and how they can make you feel. I truly commiserate with your situation and hope the meds help - a lot.
As always Jim, your work is excellent and inspirational am glad that you are still able to do what you very obviously love and continue to do it to such a high standard.
My dad was a pharmacist (I guess he still is because he just renewed his license!) for 50 years. Most doctors don't know one drug from another and new ones are released fairly often. Your advice about drug fact checking should be underlined, because you are ultimately responsible for your health. Doctors only give medical ADVICE.
For many of us we begin a holiday tomorrow. I'm still trying to get my track laid down. I didn't think working with a simple oval and one turnout would be so difficult. I'm almost finished with the inside of the layout. Next, track down and then the outside edge of the layout. Progress is slow I know and reinforces that this will be it for me.
Did I mention I've finally come upon a name for this? Besides the PCM&T Co. this layout will be referred to as "the Dead Tree Mine Subdivision." Not too creative, but here's a photo that gives the village and the mine its name. Have great weekend. Jim
Rocks seem to have a place on most layouts. They are everywhere in real life and unless you are modeling some Iowa cornfield you probably need some rocks to make the layout or module more believable if not more entertaining. Luckily rocks come in all shapes, sizes, and textures. Like painting clouds on the backdrop it is hard to goof up a rock. Let's see some examples of some of my past endeavors.
Big cliff with some carving to break up the monotony. Acceptable especially when you have a big area to cover.
Here is an example of plaster casting attached to the plaster cloth.
Here is a finished photo of the above picture.
More plaster castings.
And finally sometimes 'rocks' are not 'rocks' at all.
And then there is this example of the ubiquitous "Jim" rocks, represented in the final stages of my career. P.S. I see Montanan sneaked in. It is all good.
And, this is the type of rock we will deal with today.
First, we use Sculptamold, not plaster. Simply mix water and Sculptamold in an old mixing bowl.
Next, I like to add some tint. In this case WS Black because I want my base color to be gray. You could add any tint color, brown, raw umber, yellow, etc.
Next mix the ingredients. I've evolved into using my hand and squeezing everything together. A paint stir-stick will work as well.
Take the bowl to the layout and then the fun begins. I always use a drop cloth if I think stuff will end up on the floor. Paper towels are handy. At the layout just grab a handful and apply to the surface of your plaster cloth. You have plenty of time to do what ever you want to these 'rocks' once applied.
Here I did a whole end of my layout. I wanted to show you that Sculptamold will adhere to the vertical. Plus using the 'rocks' this way provides me with an area I don't have to throw ground covers on the layout hope they stick! When dry these 'rocks' will also perform the duty of a fascia. Impervious to humans just like eighth inch hard board.
After you applied your mix then some carving should be done. The amount of striations is up to you. You make not want to use any.
We are almost finished. In one case we are. In my previous couple of layouts I simply applied the Sculptamold by hand an left it as is. It gives you rough rock with sharp edges. Looks good too. This layout I want the rocks to look more weathered. So, I apply water and gently rub the rough rock with my finger to a more smooth look.
That is all there is to it. Simple and fast. Total time including mixing, placing, carving and weather 31 minutes for this side of the layout. Not bad. Later I will add some more coloring to the rocks. That can be done at anytime. Jim
Thanks guys. Jim, It is simple and it does look good and real. My whole philosophy here is to keep it simple and doable by most and mostly at least cost. Some pages back I did a tutorial on how I'm weathering these rocks this time. I just use my spray glue for the area ground covers around the rocks and what ever hits the rocks and sticks I leave it. Check it out. No paint, dyes, just glue and ground covers. Jim
Thanks Jim , I will dig around and see if I can find it and thank you again for the tutorial , I have a couple spots that are ready for rock and would be perfect for this method.
RR, You're welcome. I've forgotten to mention that Yahooing/Googling Sculptamold will show that this stuff comes in various amounts. If one is skeptical you can get a 3 pound box to try out. I buy the 25# bags because I'm a believer. In fact I've purchased three 25# bags for all the layouts shown in this thread. Jim
