I have been toying with the idea of using a more abstract sky backdrop similar to this one.
Of course, there would be hills, trees, mountains, and structures added to the print as well.
I am not a fan of photo-realisitic backdrops, they are not compatible with the atmosphere I want on the layout.
I looked for any examples where someone had used a backdrop like this, but could not find any. My backdrop would be in four sections, 7, 8, 11, and 22 feet long.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Agree that "impresionistic" backdrops can be very or even more effective than photo realistic ones - something Van-Goghish could be really interesting. One layout that an impressionistic approach for backdrops is Perry Squire's Shawmut line (video on this site) - in his case it is more about the mountains than sky, but I still find it visually appealing - it provides an effective background while not detracting from the foreground models.
I've considered a varied gradient print for my backdrop. Back when I worked for a large architecture firm, my bosses reinforced less clouds and detail so the focus was on the model and less on the sky. Just a dull image looked more real in photography. I miss those days of creativity as a job
I'm thinking a Mylar medium with blue, gray image with soft graidents that I'll have done at the UPS store. I'll then overlay another cut out print with trees and hills just to create a slight edge to the landscape layer.
These were basically the images we would purchase or else create on our own taking a high res photo on a nice clear day
https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/blue-sky-gradient
a thick semi transparent Mylar print almost has a 3D effect. It also rolls out really flat along a wall.
Kevin. Look at the sky throughout the day. See what you see and not what you thought you saw.
The patches of different white. The shades of blue. Maybe the hint of yellow. A pinkish glow.
Dare to be a little different. The darker, moody colours of rain clouds. Maybe the sun is glinting behind a dark cloud.
IMG_5793 by David Harrison, on Flickr
Sometimes the sky rewards you
IMG_5898 by David Harrison, on Flickr
A lot of white and a little blue on paint brushes.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
I thought this thread disappeared, but it was moved to the layout building forum.
Thanks for all the ideas so far.
Good morning
Hi Kevin. My little brother's backdrop on the layout he's working on is abstract.
It's just a lighter gray with some white swooshes.
His recollision as a Kid for some reason was usually grayer and more dreary days viewing the DWP up by the Canadian border. When kept simple, you don't always notice a lot of the backdrop when there's other things to look at.
It's been my thoughts for quite some time to get together pictures of both, cheerful sunny sky photos and some wicked stormy sky photos with lightning in them. Then have the photos blown up to transition the sunny day into the stormy day across the back of the layout with just the storm in one zone.
The splices could be put together by cutting the shape of the dark Thunderhead clouds, overlapping the regular cumulus clouds, to make the transitions in and out of the storm on the backdrop.
Then It would be cool to get some type of storm sound system and colored lighting. Maybe florescent of some sort, (a black light with yellow perhaps?) mixed with the other lighting in the storm zone. Separate switches, dimmers and a flash lighting actuator in sync with the sound system could be added. Then you only have to go into full storm mode when you're in the mood for it
You know...When you've been out on a nice day as one of those wicked storms come out of nowhere and everything turns kinda greenie-orange. Even a yellow school bus down the road appears to glow green. Was thinking something like that would add even more excitement to running Trains
That's the backdrop I'm leaning towards on the layout. Being that your really into photography and quite good at it, one would think that's something that might be right up your alley. I'd respect your thoughts and opinions on all that. Watcha think?
TF
I like that sky background. Agree that going outside helps too. Nothing wrong with replicating reality!