Hi all,
I was showing my layout to some visitors recently, and they commented that the layout backdrop worked, except for one part of it:
I was wondering if you thought this was the case, and if so, what can I do to fix/improve it?
The Location: Forests of the Pacific Northwest, OregonThe Year: 1948The Scale: On30The Blog: http://bvlcorr.tumblr.com
Where's a prototype photo? It's tough to provide feedback about a possible fix without knowing how it's supposed to look.
Rob Spangler
The mountain in the background, which is the part mentioned by the visitors, was based (loosely) on this photo: http://www.planetware.com/photos-large/USOR/us-oregon-mount-hood.jpg
If you'd care for an opinion, I see a couple of things that could be fixed. First, the big blob in the distance is much too steep on its sides. flatten them out into a more conical shape. Make more of the top white with snow, and darken the terrain below it.
The second thing I would do is to feather out tiny tree-tops on the closest hills. They are apparently close enough to offer some of that kind of visible detail. Later, add some lighter blotches and tree-tops here and there in the vast dark green area to show that those hills are indeed closer.
Volcanos are more conical than what you painted.
- Douglas
What's you're desired effect? I don't care for the shape of the mountain either, but is that your problem? If you are looking for a photo-realistic backdrop, you can assemble computer images and have them printed on banner paper or vinyl at places like Staples for a pretty reasonable price.
On the other hand, if all you want it a backdrop that does not overpower your layout with grandeur, Just work on the image a bit. You can do that.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
tbdannyThe mountain in the background, which is the part mentioned by the visitors, was based (loosely) on this photo:
Well there's your problem. This is the prototype photo you linked:
While this is the mountain on your backdrop:
The shapes and colors are almost entirely different. There are mountains in other parts of the Cascades that more closely resemble yours, but if the effect you want is for something Mt. Hood~ish I'd suggest practicing several tries on scrap material and then re-doing that part of your backdrop. The Cascades are heavily photographed, so you should be able to find numerous images for inspiration. After a few tries you should hopefully be able to get much closer.
You may also want to review photos of other mountains in the region for ideas, like...
Oregon's Three Sisters...
Oregon's Mt. McLoughlin https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerseyjj/442196752 ...
or Washington's Mt. Adams.
DoughlessVolcanos are more conical than what you painted.
The stereotype maybe, but there are an awful lot of them that defy it...
...like Oregon's Belknap Crater.
Or Mt. Lassen in California.
The other problem is that I used a layered approach, with the mountains and background hills being sprayed with white paint to create the distant haze effect. I'm tempted to paint out the mountain and start again, but I'm not sure how I'd be able to redo the layering.
tbdanny:
tbdannyI'm not sure how I'd be able to redo the layering.
Just mask off the foreground hills with some newspaper and masking tape, re-do your mountain(s), and then feather the foreground hills' top edges to suggest some individual trees.
Perhaps the easiest way to suggest individual trees on the top of the foreground ridge would be to get some green and brown paint pens. Use a dark brown pen to draw a very thin trunk, and then use various greens similar to the foreground colours to do the foliage. For conifers, start just above the top on the trunk and create a rough triangular pattern by going from side to side using slightly longer strokes as you work your way to the bottom of the trunk. Go right over the trunk. You don't want to fill the tree in solid, and you don't want perfect triangles. You also want to overlap the trees somewhat. At that distance the trees won't look huge so we are talking trees maybe 1" average, with some up to 1 1/2" tall. I'm guessing at those heights but the point is that they shouldn't be huge. You can do the same thing with paint brushes but I think the pens would be faster.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I will also argue for the make-over, rather than an entirely fresh start. That mountain needs some taper is all, plus maye some detailing by shadows or highlighting to give it some depth. Detailing the mid-ground will also help.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Thanks for all the advice. I'll try to change the shape of the backdrop mountain, to give it a bit more of a taper. It's the first time I've done a backdrop, so I'm a bit uncertain about technique.
My main inspiration for the backdrop was this photo here: http://www.hulloakes.com/images/HullOakesEntry.jpg. I just added the mountain as something in the background.
With regards to the foreground details, the camera on my phone doesn't really capture it properly. Here's a close-up of how some of it looks:
Modeling an HO gauge freelance version of the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line and the Utah Railway around 1957 in a world where Pirates from the Great Salt Lake founded Ogden, UT.
- Photo album of layout construction -
Under the theory of going with what we got . . .
You might try softening the edges and muting the colors a bit. The idea is to give the mountains that far away off in the distance sort of effect. Maybe covering the entire scene with a very thin wash of gray or light tan or something. Notice that Rob Spangler's photo of Oregon's Mt McLoughlin is a bit hazy in the distance. Like that, but even more so.
I'm no artist, just trying to help.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
Hey, it's not all that bad. It looks a lot like Mt. Lassen in California, as seen in one of the posted photos.
Just wipe out that white blob on the top left side of your mountain and add some snow trails as seen in the other photos.
BTW, what is that white blob? Is it a cloud or a snow mass?
Rich
Alton Junction
You need high lites and low lites to make it work. It can be as simple as adding a bit of white to the mix in where the sun will hit first and some dark brown to the shadows.
tbdanny Hi all, Thanks for all the advice. I'll try to change the shape of the backdrop mountain, to give it a bit more of a taper. It's the first time I've done a backdrop, so I'm a bit uncertain about technique. My main inspiration for the backdrop was this photo here: http://www.hulloakes.com/images/HullOakesEntry.jpg. I just added the mountain as something in the background. With regards to the foreground details, the camera on my phone doesn't really capture it properly. Here's a close-up of how some of it looks:
This photo tells me that you have an eye for the effect of distance. However, note that your two mountain ranges, with one faded in the distance (nice job!), have profiles that are essentially identical...paralleled edges? It never happens in nature. Vary the foreground profile by widening it...meaning you'll have to paint over the right hand lower edge of the distant hills.
Danny,
Looking good.....I would just fix the right side of the far mountain. Make the slope steeper. Remember that when you get trees and trains in the foreground, no one will be noticing the backdrop and it will recede into the distance. Or …..you could buy Rob S. a plane ticket down under to paint you one of his killer backdrops…..
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site