The new Missouri Valley Western

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I can't claim to be working from a reference photo, per se. I've mostly been playing with materials to see how they look. (I'm a newb at the scenery thing. What can I say?) But the photo at the top of this page is a very rough approximation of what I had in mind:

https://www.aroundiowa.com/blog/2016/08/these-6-luscious-iowa-state-forests-are-great-for-your-health/#.WFQjl2QrIvo

I'm not trying to create the impression of a forest here, just a grove of trees along a very shallow cut. Kind of like we see on the right in the photo.


Jim

Ahh, well, still work from photos though! That's one thing I've learned about scenery: You've gotta treat it like any other model.
In fact, I'm actually in York PA tonight to get a good start tomorrow on getting more reference pics of the area I'm modeling.
Those ones you posted are a good start.

[MVW]

But given their trunk thickness and the way the "limbs" grow it gives them an "asparagus" look.

I think they'd make wonderful background trees.

I came to the same conclusion several days ago, Michael. I'll keep these as placeholders for a while (and that may be quite a while), but eventually they'll be moved to a dark corner someplace. Or broken up and used as bushes. Or ... I may occasionally play with 'em and see if they can be improved a bit more. If some of the small "tufts" or whatever are covered in foam and glued to branches midway up to tone down that asparagus look ...

Ahh, well, still work from photos though! That's one thing I've learned about scenery: You've gotta treat it like any other model.

No argument there, Ed. I started this without photos, just messing around to see how the materials blend together, trying to create something that didn't look too "wrong." Then I searched the webz for images, and that helped considerably.

Lots to learn. But lots of fun! And considering this is my first time playing with this stuff, I don't think the results suck too much.

Thanks for the comments and encouragement, everyone. I'm gonna finish this little ridge off the best I can for now ... then it's on to roads!     

Jim

[mu26aeh]

Ahh, well, still work from photos though! That's one thing I've learned about scenery: You've gotta treat it like any other model.
In fact, I'm actually in York PA tonight to get a good start tomorrow on getting more reference pics of the area I'm modeling.
Those ones you posted are a good start.

Looks like you'll be modelling some snow and ice if you're getting pictures today !  Stay safe out there...

[MVW]

We got the snow yesterday. Forecast is for -27 tonight. A little bit of Christmas shopping on tap for me, then straight to the train room (with maybe a detour to pick up the makings for some hot buttered rum). 

Jim

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Looks like you'll be modelling some snow and ice if you're getting pictures today !  Stay safe out there...

Ugh. I know. The weather screwed my plans up. Instead I caught the Middletown and Hummelstown Santa train in the winter wonderland.

[MVW]

Trying to snap a lo-o-o-ng period of model railroad inactivity by takin' it to the streets. My first attempt at adding roads to the layout:



The road looks a little dark in person (too many washes), but seems to photograph OK. I may not have been using the best choices for color, especially for the sidewalk, but my options were limited. Any recommendations? I'm strictly confined to spraybombs. No airbrush.

Should there be another line of expansion joints, midway between the centerline and curb?

I was gonna go full DKS, and add the strip of .03" styrene for the curb. But I think that's more detail than I need.

I'll probably play around with some chalk for additional weathering, and add a few weeds to the sidewalks. Any other suggestions for improvement?

Jim

[Chris333]

Roads look good to me!

[MVW]

Well, I'd like to post an update. But instead, let me take a moment to tell you that photobucket is a complete POS website.

Jim

[MVW]

This looks much too dark in person, but again seems to photograph well.



I let loose with some AIM "soot black." Hopefully it will tone down a bit with some clearcoat.

Adding a few weeds to the 'walks.

Jim

[MVW]

Doin' weeds (not weed) may be a pain in the butt, but it seems to add something.



Jim

[C855B]

Doin' weeds (not weed) may be a pain in the butt, but it seems to add something.

Darn tootin' they do. It's amazing what a little thing like that can do to draw your eye and question, "Is this real?" Great effect.

[MVW]

Tried out a different base color for roads, and I think it's a bit better. (Actually, it's the color I wanted to use in the first place, but couldn't find.  )



The difference in color is subtle, but preferable. I also took a lighter hand in applying wash and grime. Here are the two side by side:



That's Testor's Flat Light Aircraft Gray on the left. Somebody here on TRW recommended it. (I think it was DKS; my apologies if it was someone else.) That's Model Master Flat Gull Gray on the road at the right, and Model Master Camouflage Gray on the sidewalks. If anybody has other spraybomb colors to recommend, I'm all ears.

Jim

[MichaelWinicki]

I think both look decent Jim.

I've found that at least with the roads I've done, they either look better in person or in a photograph but rarely do I think both look outstanding.

I researched the heck out of road colors prior to doing mine... Books, TV shows, movies– I was always scoping out road colors.

And I've come to the conclusion the color spectrum for roadways is frustratingly varied.

If you have more than one road on your layout, I'd consider using different shades/techniques to color them.  I've gone the multiple shade route on mine with the result being it creates a nice contrast from one roadway to another, which is as it is in real life. 

[wcfn100]

Are you using reference pictures for this?  I'm much more accustomed to the darker parts being between the wheels.



Jason

[svedblen]

Are you using reference pictures for this?  I'm much more accustomed to the darker parts being between the wheels.

I agree. Although this happens to be an asphalt road.
But your colors look great Jim!