Backdrops

[gyurick]

I recently saw a simple 4-step technique for making forested backdrops.

1. Apply white glue to backdrop board with paint brush.

2. While glue is wet, brush dark paint (black, charcoal grey, dark brown, whetever) right into the glue. 

3. While glue and paint are still wet, sprinkle ground foam into it.

4. Attach backdrop board to layout when dry.

I'm considering trying this but I'm wondering if I can tint the glue in advance and save a step. Anyone know?

[Don Z]

White glue usually dries clear, so I'm not sure if you'd actually be able to tint the glue. I could be wrong....my wife always tells me I am!

Don Z.

[ClinchValleySD40]

I'd try it on a small test piece first to see if you like it.   If you can, post a picture of what you've done once you've tried it.    Curious how it looks.

[CSXDixieLine]

This does sound interesting and I'd also like to see some pics if/when available. I am currently working on about 100 linear feet of backdrop, so any technique that yields good results is appealing to me right now! The only thing similar to this that I am aware of is gluing ground foam directly to the lower edge of the backdrop to blend it in with the foreground scenery. Jamie

[larak]

I've done this with a a steeply sloped piece of extruded foam glued to the backdrop to add a bit of a third dimension to it. Carved the foam, painted it with latex dark green. When dry brushed on glue then sprinkled on the "foliage". Note keep the board flat and you will get better coverage.

There was no need to tint the glue. So to answer your question - "white" glue does come in darker colors so tinting should be possible. 

 

You can see the effect in the background. This was relatively early in the scenery process.Ballast, more foreground trees, brush and bushes and it actually looks quite good. It softens the sudden transition from the three dimensional layout to the two dimensional backdrop.

Karl 

[wickman]

Sounds like a great idea, I've used plaster molds on walls which looked great, I would imagine trees stuff would also look good and also blend in well with forground trees.