Material for add-on backdrop painting?

[NtheBasement]

I want to add some backdrop (distant hills) to my layout by painting something stiff and slipping it behind the trees against the layout room's walls.  I thought poster board would work but it got all wavy when I painted it.  Short of something as heavy as countertop laminate or masonite, does anyone know of something that will work?  Possible builder's rosin paper but I don't know if it will go wavy or not when I paint it.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

There's always foamcore. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foamcore

Or its stronger cousin, Gatorboard https://www.gator-board.com/

I've also got a roll of vinyl flashing from Lowes
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Vinyl--Roll-flashing-Flashings-Roofing-Building-supplies/4294524187?refinement=4294965742

[Scottl]

1/8" hardboard won't ripple and takes paint well.  You can buy smaller sheets or full 4 X 8' at Home Depot.  They will also cut it to size for you (for free on quiet evenings).

[NtheBasement]

I've also got a roll of vinyl flashing from Lowes
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Vinyl--Roll-flashing-Flashings-Roofing-Building-supplies/4294524187?refinement=4294965742

Hey, that looks promising.  Have you used the vinyl flashing?  Any problems painting it?

Ideally I'd like to make individual ridges and layer them, closest on top, to do something like this:

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Hey, that looks promising.  Have you used the vinyl flashing?  Any problems painting it?

Ideally I'd like to make individual ridges and layer them, closest on top, to do something like this:

I have not. I usually just use it to support printed stuff.

[ednadolski]

Ideally I'd like to make individual ridges and layer them, closest on top, to do something like this:

I tried something like that not too long ago, but found it very hard to make it look like anything other than a stacking of layered sheet material (iow, it looks exactly like what it really is).

Ed

[Scottl]

I think it is easier to get the hazy depth effect with the paint itself.  Start with a tree color and make a series of mixes with progressively more sky color.  Then paint them in reverse order (distant to close).

[robert3985]

I would strongly consider 1/16th white Styrene sheet, which I buy at my local plastics supplier.  I can get it in as big as a 4' X 8' sheet if I want.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[NtheBasement]

I would strongly consider 1/16th white Styrene sheet, which I buy at my local plastics supplier.  I can get it in as big as a 4' X 8' sheet if I want.s

Thanks, great idea.  I was able to pick up a sheet of .06" at the somewhat local Curbell Plastics place for $67.  Now all I have to do is learn how to be an artist!

[robert3985]

Thanks, great idea.  I was able to pick up a sheet of .06" at the somewhat local Curbell Plastics place for $67.  Now all I have to do is learn how to be an artist!

Happy to be of assistance!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[NtheBasement]

I'm having a hard time learning to paint!  Oh Bob Ross where art thou?

Best way to get an even coat is rattle-can white primer followed by a heavy layer of craft paint applies with a foam brush.  After several repaints of the first section I decided "good enough for now, time to move on".  Some day I'll pull it out from behind the trees and have a re-do.

No re-dos on this 2nd 8-footer yet and there are parts that I am actually happy with!  The other thing is, I went back to Wally World for more paint and whoops, tis not the season to find green craft paint in stock.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[mark.hinds]

Last time I looked into this (15-20 years ago...) I found a source for 2-foot x 25-foot 30 mil acrylic plastic, which I was going to paint as my backdrop.  Reason for this choice was no seams and structural stability, with the possibility of backlighting it for sunset effects.  Not sure where to find this stuff currently, however.  The 25-foot length is of course a difficulty...