First layout backdrop - not sure which direction to take. Advice?

[tbdanny]

Hi all,

I'm almost at the point where I'm ready to do the backdrop on my layout.  It's the first time I've done a layout backdrop, and I'm not quite sure which approach to take.  Not in the context of how to paint it, but what to paint.

I'm modeling a Pacific Northwest logging operation during the year 1948.  I've seen photos online such as this one, https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4b/0d/d9/4b0dd9eb4410da42fad2e2cb87257380.jpg, where the backdrop seems to be just painted sky blue with tall trees in front of it.  While this is the 'deep woods' look I'm going for, there are two scenes in particular where I don't think this will work:
- Camp D will have several tree stumps around it.  What happened here was that the area was logged out and they established a 'high line' to bring logs down to the railroad from further up the hill.  As such, I'll want to have the treeline start further back than at the edge of the layout.
- On the same side of the layout, the railroad crosses a creek in a small gully.  Again, the sky masked by tress approach won't work as the creek needs to disappear into the backdrop.

I have considered using photo backdrops, however the creek scene would need to match up exactly not to spoil the effect.  On the other hand, my mother-in-law (who is very supportive of my hobby) is an art teacher.

I'm just not sure which approach to take and any advice would be appreciated.

[Grampys Trains]

In this shot, Hammer Creek disappears aroung the bend byond the bridge.

In this shot, Stoney Creek disappears aroung a bend and into a culvert.

In this shot, Roaring Creek appears from this culvert.

 

[tbdanny]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I didn't plan that far ahead while putting the river in place, so it meets the backdrop more or less head-on. However, it has given me an idea.

In order to get the tracks across the creek, the logging company would have had to build at least a footbridge to allow construction workers across the creek. These days, with the trestle in place, that bridge would be abandoned. If I model this low to the creek and right on the backdrop, then that could help disguise the transition, possibly to a photo backdrop.

[mlehman]

If you haven't planned for a specific scene, making a photoimage backdrop work can be dicey as the issue with the creek shows.

Since you have the talent available, I say go for a painted backdrop. My own talent is minimal, but with an instructional video I did a decent job and still am pleased with mine. Greg Gray of the St. Louis area painted a lot of the local layout around there and made a tape for Green Frog that I highly recommend if you don't have someone with skills available. This is my Silverton backdrop.

Even at this funky angle, it looks OK.

Sometimes it's can be even simpler, like the generic look of distant mountains in the haze.

[Anonymous]

Watch Bob Ross paint on netflix....might give some ideas about how to paint the backdrop.  Plus baby squirrel!!

[tomikawaTT]

Instead of an abandoned footbridge (standing or collapsed) try putting a beaver dam right at the backdrop line.  After all, those tree-chompers are ubiquitous in your area.

Unless the foreground modeling is of Smithsonian caliber I'd shy away from a photomural backdrop.  You want visitors to look at your trains, not the photo.  Count me in with Bob Ross - except that his, "Happy little trees," won't be if you include a clearcut slope (aka stump farm) in your painting...

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with cedars, and a clear-cut area in my future)