Best Of Landscape Critique

[Bendtracker1]

As an innocent bystander, let me just say this thread makes for some darn good (and educational) reading. Thanks to all who've taken the time to respond in detail. You're helping more people than the OP, and it's appreciated.

Jim

+1
Maybe this should be moved to "BEST OF" ?

[Dave Schneider]

Great information everybody. The modeled river scenes are are especially nice, and that is were I would start experimenting with the rock castings. Rivers are natural places for the rocks to be exposed and as Lee and others have shown can be really nice scenic focal points. Maybe start with a river crossing and work out from there? As others have written over the years, having occasional scenic hot spots separated by mundane or typical scenery can really expand the sense of space. Screening the view of the track and trains by trees or cuts can help.

Best wishes, Dave

[davidgray1974]

I've been a fan of the casting in place method for a long time as well. However, I recently came up with a new favorite: rubber rocks from Cripplebush Creek.

Funny you should mention these.  Since I'm modeling the mountainous area between Virginia and Kentucky, I purchased some rubber rocks from Cripplebush on Monday.  I went with a few of the Shale selections they have since these are mostly what I observed in some of the photos I collected online from railpictures.net.  (Thanks Ed!)  Kinda bummed though since they haven't arrived yet.  They delayed mailing them out and now I probably won't recieve them til this coming up Monday. 

[davidgray1974]

David,

Lots of good feedback here; I hope you're finding it useful. 

Absolutely!!  The information and suggestions from everyone have been fantastic and more than I had hoped for.  Please, keep it coming!  DKS and Ed, you two should really consider colaborating on a how to book for scenery.  I mean, not that I don't appreciate you sharing your vast wealth of knowledge on the subject, but I haven't seen any books out there that go to the detail at which you guys model. 

[davidgray1974]

Ok, after reading all the suggestions and looking through some photos from the area I am modeling, I decided to make a clean slate, for the most part, and start fresh.  Here are the photos after I removed the rock castings and clump foilage:



Here are the photos with the fresh layers of plaster cloth added.  I decided to keep the casting around the tunnel opening.  I thought they still looked pretty good. :



I know I could have probably built up from where it was, but I felt starting fresh was the way to go.  As stated in an earlier post, I have purchased some Shale rubber rocks from cripplebush.net that best resemble the area I plan on modeling.  Here are a few pictures I found or railpictures.net:

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Awesome! I'm glad you appreciate it. I was afraid I was coming off a little bit too harsh.

And a book with DKS? I'm not worthy...

[davidgray1974]

Awesome! I'm glad you appreciate it. I was afraid I was coming off a little bit too harsh.

No, not at all.  You can't learn when everyone is giving away "attaboys"  all the time.  I want to be able to accomplish the same realism that you guys can produce on your layouts.  The thing is, no one knows what their doing wrong until someone steps up and is honest with the person.  I mean, just because I think I sound great singing in the shower doesn't mean I should try out for "American Idol".  I'm realistic when it comes to my talents at this point.  Like you guys said, practice makes perfect and I hope with your guys help, I can do it.   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

There's another thing I'd recommend too. Before applying a new technique to the layout, try it out on a scrap test bed first.

[tom mann]

The basic land form looks really good!

[ednadolski]

Wow, you guys are making me want to model something eastern!   

Ed

[DKS]

Much improved already! I second Ed K's suggestion to practice techniques off-layout. Use a scrap of foam around a square foot in size on which to practice.

[Smike]

I totally agree, try a test fist! I've been testing for 2 years 

I tried the ceiling tile route recently and felt I pushed it as far as it would go. I felt the results were good (still think David’s results with cripple rocks are the best, but wanted lower $$$)

Ceiling tiles are difficult when working on curved faces, but if you work with them enough (craving, filling, fracturing them a lot to get away from the break off and glue in strips look I see so often) you end up something good, but spending as much time as working with casting with minimal cost benefit.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I like that second photo. The gray cloud does it

However, I'll say this, you might want to try some unsanded black grout for the sub-ballast. Right now it's the same texture as the ballast itself, which looks a little off. The black sanded grout is incredible for that job:


Otherwise, that scene is mindblowing.

[Smike]

I like that second photo. The gray cloud does it

However, I'll say this, you might want to try some unsanded black grout for the sub-ballast. Right now it's the same texture as the ballast itself, which looks a little off. The black sanded grout is incredible for that job:


Otherwise, that scene is mindblowing.

Excellent tip! Ya was never happy about that part. The black sanded grout looks more 'muddy' like. Excellent looking scene btw.

[GaryHinshaw]

David, that new landform is looking good, though I'm not sure what your plan is for that foam plateau in the middle of the scene.

Smike, very nice!  One of the best uses of ceiling tiles I've seen before.  You should write up some notes on your diesel detailing too.

-gfh