Backdrops

Vince Barton

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Feb 6, 2002, 8:29:52 AM2/6/02

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I would like to start a new thread here concerning backdrops. Maybe some of
you could share some ideas for backdrops other than the commercial paper
products available. Share with us something neat that you did to enhance
your layout. I am asking this because I am coming to the point that I will
have to do my backdrop, so why not get a thread going on the subject. Thank
you, to all who participate.

Vince

KTØT

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Feb 6, 2002, 10:58:11 AM2/6/02

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I'm in the middle of trying to finish/improve my backdrop right now. When we
started on the layout I put up sheets (4' x 8') of 1/8" tempered Masonite on
all three walls, coving the corners. Then my wife painted the basic sky
color on and added clouds.

Now I am trying to work out a way to add a distant horizon at the bottom of
the backdrop now that the layout is in place. The approach right now is to
cut some thin foam board (I'm using the fan-fold insulation foam for this)
and place it next to the bottom of the layout.

There are some photos on Yahoo of the present state of the layout; the
backdrop doesn't show well so I'll be taking some more soon. I believe
you'll have to register with Yahoo to see the pictures, but that's not too
painful.

--
73 de KTØT
Bob Schwartz
Modeling Waseca, MN in the 50s

"Vince Barton" <vba...@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
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: I would like to start a new thread here concerning backdrops. Maybe some

:
:

Vince Barton

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Feb 6, 2002, 11:12:53 AM2/6/02

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Bob,
How is your layout listed in Yahoo?
Vince
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KTØT

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Feb 6, 2002, 12:08:19 PM2/6/02

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Doh! Forgot to put in the link... Sorry. Look at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MRPics/files/Bob%27s%20Experiments/

Bob

"Vince Barton" <vba...@nc.rr.com> wrote in message

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: Bob,

panentilt

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Feb 6, 2002, 2:00:00 PM2/6/02

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I offer my background as an example. A lot of people say that a background
should not detract from your modeled layout. I believe if you work hard to
create a realistic layout, your background should be as good and definitely NOT
less.

My background will eventually incorporate photographs of structures applied against
the painted sky and distant horizon. Elements will be blended together with
a combination of Woodland Scenic foliage and photos of "modeled" structures
to "extend" the layout into and past the wall.

There are a couple photos of my friend's layout included. It's a coal mine that
was positioned against the wall. I painted the backdrop so as to blend the hard-
shell scenery "into" the wall and beyond. The chute coming out the back of the
coal mine is painted on the wall. Try to find the dividing line between the back-
drop and the hardshell scenery.

One last comment....IT AIN'T AS HARD AS IT LOOKS!

Have fun!
Glenn

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/panentilt/lst?.dir=/My+Railroad&.view=l

Vince Barton

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Feb 6, 2002, 5:32:32 PM2/6/02

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I see you did a curved corner. I'm still deciding on that for my layout. I
am a bit tight for space and lots of big ideas, so I may skip the curve and
stay with corners. Don't need to decide today.
Thanks for participating in this thread.
Vince

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Vince Barton

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Feb 6, 2002, 5:23:30 PM2/6/02

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Amazing. Your right about the effect. It really works very well. Kudos on your chute/hill. I am going to give this a try on something simple, like your chute.

Vince

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Gavin Miller

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Feb 12, 2002, 8:31:51 AM2/12/02

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Vince,

I remember when I was in your position last year, about to embark on the
backdrop for my layout.

I asked this group similar questions to you, and I remember Glenn being good
enough to share his experience and photographs of his EXCELLENT work with
me. I found his work quite inspirational and gathered ideas for my own
effort. THANKS GLENN, GOOD BUDDY! :-)

I used the cloud "template" method to airbrush soft-edged clouds onto my
plain blue background. I found this much easier than trying to HAND paint
clouds - they always look to "solid" and artificial. It's called "Easy
cloud painting for the artistically challenged" heh heh. You can see the
result of my efforts on my website at:-
http://users.bigpond.net.au/miller_site/Ntrak2.html

or on the MRPics newsgroup at:-
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MRPics/message/768

I also found this "how to" website I'll share with you:-
http://www.tttrains.com/tips/clouds.htm

Cheers
Gavin Miller
Perth, Western Australia

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Dave B

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Feb 12, 2002, 2:17:44 PM2/12/02

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In article <bP8a8.21096$Zu6.1...@news-server.bigpond.net.au>,
gjmi...@bigpond.net.au says...

> I used the cloud "template" method to airbrush soft-edged clouds onto my
> plain blue background. I found this much easier than trying to HAND paint
> clouds - they always look to "solid" and artificial. It's called "Easy
> cloud painting for the artistically challenged" heh heh. You can see the
> result of my efforts on my website at:-
> http://users.bigpond.net.au/miller_site/Ntrak2.html

Wow, great sky! The rest of the modules are pretty darn good too!
Thanks for sharing.

Dave
--
_________________________________________
http://southern-railway.railfan.net/ay/
http://smrf.railfan.net/SMRF/
http://cvrr.railfan.net/cvmrr/

email is David dot Bott at Dartmouth dot edu

Gavin Miller

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Feb 12, 2002, 8:24:12 PM2/12/02

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Here's a link to some photos of the stencils I made to paint clouds. Not
rocket science! I just got a piece of plastic sheet and started cutting
away at it haphazardly in the rough shape of clouds.

There is also a "before" and "after" photo of my backdrop.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MRPics/message/418

Gavin Miller
Perth, Western Australia

"Gavin Miller" <gjmi...@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
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Dave B

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Feb 13, 2002, 9:21:14 AM2/13/02

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[This followup was posted to rec.models.railroad and a copy was sent to
the cited author.]

In article <0fja8.22453$Zu6.1...@news-server.bigpond.net.au>,
gjmi...@bigpond.net.au says...

> Here's a link to some photos of the stencils I made to paint clouds. Not
> rocket science! I just got a piece of plastic sheet and started cutting
> away at it haphazardly in the rough shape of clouds.
>
> There is also a "before" and "after" photo of my backdrop.
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MRPics/message/418
>
> Gavin Miller
> Perth, Western Australia

Gavin,

I found the backdrop message, but could find no photo links on the page.
The one link as your signature just goes to your homepage which doesn't
have a "clouds" category. I can't find a link to photos and the TOC on
the left side shows "Photos" but it is not a link.

A little help?

Gavin Miller

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Feb 13, 2002, 10:17:36 AM2/13/02

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Dave,

The photo links are in boxes labelled "Attachment" straight underneath my
signature.

You have to click on the hyperlinked word "Download" to see the picture.
Just a quirky little thing Yahoo introduced. The photos USED to be
displayed right under the poster's message, which was much better.

Gavin

"Dave B" <david...@dartmouth.edu> wrote in message
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Daniel Mickey

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Feb 13, 2002, 12:12:05 PM2/13/02

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I think that you did "mighty fine". Excellent technique!

Dan Mickey

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Vince Barton

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Feb 13, 2002, 1:10:37 PM2/13/02

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Thanks to all of you for your support in this message thread. I really like
the clouds stencils and will give them a shot in a month or so, unless I
move which is at this time a possibility. Boo Hoo, all the work I have to
take apart. But I look at it this way, if I do move I will build a bigger
layout!
Vince

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panentilt

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Feb 14, 2002, 4:34:08 AM2/14/02

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Hey, Gavin!

Thanks for the props, but don't sell yourself short. You've got an artist
inside you or you wouldn't be into model railroading. Just let him out
once-in-a-while to stretch.

The cutout cloud templates are easy, but not much of a challange (like building
realistic structures or aging your rolling stock and engines). And I've always
said your background should at least match the quality of your layout.
The best thing about using your talents and a brush is the random appearance of
your sky. And you can always fix a blob of paint by spreading it out until it
acquires a transluscent quality. I find using old crappy brushes with a
dry-brush technique fills the bill 90% of the time.

I've been building a small "timesaver" layout at my work for the guys to play
with. I'm painting the backdrop now and I get comments like "I can't do that!"
or "I'm no artist!". I bet them I can teach them in less than 30 minutes and
now they're painting the backdrop....sorta like Tom Sawyer

If anyone's interested, I'd be more than happy to walk them through the
procedures and I think you'll be impressed with yourselves.

Take care all,
Glenn

panentilt

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Feb 14, 2002, 4:38:18 AM2/14/02

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BTW, Gavin...checked out your page...NICE WORK!!!

Keep up the good work!
Glenn

Gavin Miller

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Feb 18, 2002, 1:01:19 AM2/18/02

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Thanks for your feedback Glenn.

It's great to get recognition of your work from a MASTER of the art!!
Thanks for the inspiration you provided by sharing your experience with us.

Gavin Miller
Perth, Western Australia

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