aged concrete test photo #1

[tom mann]

On my new layout, I have a lot of asphalt and concrete parking areas and streets.  A trip to the area shows that they are fairly weathered.  This is my first attempt to capture the look:



I may dust it with earth or dirt Polly-Scale paint, but I'm happy with the texture and colors.  Thoughts?

[Guilford Guy]

That looks really convincing! Is that more paper, or are you using lance's decal suggestion, or possibly something else?

[tom mann]

Actually, I didn't model anything yet, I just took my 1 foot diameter parody dime and photographed it on my driveway!

I tried paper textures, which do look good, but are hard to "wrap" around a slightly bumpy surface.  I was never sold on Lance's decal method either.

This is just spackling with a light wash of Woodland Scenics Concrete tint, followed by a wash of India Ink.  Nothing fancy nor exotic.

[wcfn100]

Looks like marble.  (awesome marble )

Obviously there are many different types of aged concrete, but my minds eye says yours is too white and missing some texture (hence the marble look).

My mind goes for something more like this:




But I do know that there are much lighter ranges than that picture.



Jason

[wm3798]

What about Dan Crowley's method using that spongy foam surface with a skim coat of drywall mud...  I recall that looking pretty convincing.

Lee

[wcfn100]

I was wondering if texture for something like this could come from 'dry airbrishing' i.e. use acrylic paint and spray at a high pressure from about a foot away.  The paint will go on dry and maybe rough up the surface - maybe?


And to add to my previous post, I have no doubt the your sample would look great when put in the context of a scene, it's just looking at it isolated like that, it's easy for the mind to jump.


Jason

[tom mann]

Yeah, under the stage lights of photography it does look like marble, but the colors look about right for what I need so it might look better in context.  The photo you posted looks like asphalt to me!

[tom mann]

What about Dan Crowley's method using that spongy foam surface with a skim coat of drywall mud...  I recall that looking pretty convincing.

Lee

I think that is what I'm using!  I was going to buy some gator board today, but found this black thin foam stuff instead.  I got it because I needed something to rise to the level of the ties.

[GaryHinshaw]

I like it!  Let's see a picture with a truck parked on it for scale.

-gfh

[James Costello]

Tom, you may want to consider in what context you'll be using the concrete - ie, how old is the adjacent structure and what's the application?

Not all concrete cracks are random and there can be several causes as to why and how concrete has cracked the way it has. The age of the concrete you're trying to portray will also determine the amount of aggregate that may be visible at the surface too and generally, the severity of the cracks. Color will be somewhat subjective even within the specific location - as it varies from aggregate sources and the blend of the mix.

[jbaakko]

That's pretty convincing!  I like it.

[asciibaron]

i like it - might use a dab of yellow to even out the tone?

[DKS]

Tom, I agree with James Costello's comment about context. Sidewalk? Pavement? Foundation? Bridge pier? The appearance of concrete--wear patterns, cracks, coloration--will all vary considerably depending on its application, the specific mix, the region in which the concrete is made, and of course age. I've seen concrete that varied in color from deep brown to nearly dead white, from no cracks to practically falling apart, from smooth, flawless surface to being so worn that it looked more like gravel. Your concrete looks good, but it may or may not be appropriate for how it's being used.

[tom mann]

I added a wash of Ivory Black last night to darken it to resemble asphalt.  Looked good.

Now, what can I use for the tar for crack filling?  I was thinking plumbers putty.

[wm3798]

That would be pretty difficult to manage in a small scale environment.  I think you could achieve the effect you want for tar by simply brushing on full strength black acrylic paint.  In N scale, you can achieve the effect with a fine point black Sharpie...

Lee