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How to detail a landscape

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robvic

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Jul 29, 2001, 11:24:46 AM7/29/01
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Can anyone suggest any good web sites with content about detailing scenery,
in particular bushes, trees and grass?

Does anyone have their own preferences on the above that might be worth me
trying?

I have just stuck down my grass green scatter material, which looks OK, but
in my opinion it is too ALL green and needs some hi-lighting somehow. After
that I will be moving on to tree and bush making so any suggestions would be
most appreciated.

Thanks to any responses,
Robin S.
rob...@yp-connect.net

Todd Mueller

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Jul 29, 2001, 12:28:47 PM7/29/01
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This is a big area to cover, there are many excellent techniques. Here are a
few books that would point you in the right direction:

How to Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0890241244/qid=996423879/br=1-9/ref=b
r_lf_b/104-1390188-4720760

Scenery for Your Model Railroad
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0890243239/qid=996424029/br=1-21/ref=
br_lf_b/104-1390188-4720760

Todd

---< This article was posted through www.newzpig.com >---

Rathburne

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Jul 29, 2001, 12:36:20 PM7/29/01
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Buy and use scenic express blends. I use forest floor. Then add trees and
bushes on top.
There are thousand different types of trees. What type of scenery are you
trying to make?

--
Please visit
http://communities.msn.com/BubbasBendRailfanandClearCutSociety/photos.msnw
to see some of my train photos.
robvic wrote in message <3b64...@nap-ns1.netconnect.net.au>...

SEF826

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Jul 29, 2001, 12:34:27 PM7/29/01
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One of the things I did on my layout was to use fields of flowers. Theyre
available in a variety of colors icluding pinks and lavenders.
Most finished layouts these days have a heavily weathered look, which I
personally love. The flowers interspersed into the greens actually stands as a
rather dramatic contrast to the rust and grime of the railroad itself and the
dirty grey weathering of the associated structures.
Also, think about fruit trees. Another chance for dramatic contrast.
Depending on your scene both oranges and apples are available. Flowering trees,
such as dogwood in white or pink can be used a well

Steve
modelling the 1950 Monon Route

Rich

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Jul 29, 2001, 1:31:15 PM7/29/01
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You need to use different blends of scatter material. If you use just one color
it looks fake or unrealistic. There is a great video put out by Woodland Scenics
called, "The Clinic" not endorsing their product but it really is useful for
going through all the steps necessary to making realistic looking terrain and
landscapes. You can get it at any good Model Railroading Hobby Shop. I do
endorse this Video however!

SP UP RR

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Jul 29, 2001, 3:23:46 PM7/29/01
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Try mixing small amounts of different colors of ground turf.I used 2 parts
Green Grass to one part yellow grass.I don't use glue either.I paint a small
area(12"x12") with a dark brown(Chocolate brown works) color then sprinkle on
the ground turf before it starts drying.If you have a bare spot it blends in by
looking like dirt.Works great.if your going to have a forest just get some old
dry leaves this fall and put them in a blender(with some water).Chop them up
very fine,Spread out on a baking sheet and dry it out at around 150 degrees.If
you have them fine enough makes great leaf litter like on a forest floor.Also
for rocks you can use Pine Bark painted grey with a dry brushing of light grey
or white.Makes great stratified rocks when stacked.If you have them in your
area you can use wild Hydrangia(Wild version of snowball bushes).When they
start flowering(Early June sorry) cut the stalk off at the first leaf back from
the flower pot.Cut off all the flowers leaving the buds and fuzzy things under
them.Spray with Green spray paint and sprinkle on some ground foam.......or you
can spray with red and yellow for fall trees and use the corresponding ground
foam.Just because we have all these fancy expensive items available doesn't
mean you have to buy them.You can usually get most of your scenery free in your
own back yard.Oh,You can also use real dirt.Sift it though a screen and clue it
down.If you want ballast contact a local rock mine or marble company.See if
they will sell you some very fine crushed stone.Guy that used to be in the
train club did this and sold it on the side to train shops(He worked for the
mine).Amazing how fine they will have.Down to N scale.
Model Railroader and railfan
SP UP R...@aol.com
Jonathan Rutledge

Trainman

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Jul 29, 2001, 10:38:32 PM7/29/01
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All good tips below. I also make my own fine turf from sawdust. Sift the
sawdust through a kitchen strainer or collender to get out the coarse stuff,
or make sawdust special using a plywood or veneer blade in a table saw. I
then add about a half cup of water and a few squirts of "Ceramcoat" in a
margarine tub 3/4 full of sawdust. Stir it up real well, and dump it out on
a sheet of newspaper to dry overnight. Comes out as nice as the Woodland
Scenics fine turf.

Make about half a dozen batches using various greens, browns and yellows,
and blend them together for specific areas. Generally all the "tended lawn"
around a specific property will be fairly monochromatic, but vacant lots,
fields, and other areas will have a micture of colors.

Don


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