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Yep, I've got it. A case of...Model Railroader's Block

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  • Member since
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  • From: Jarrell, Texas
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Posted by Tom Bryant_MR on Sunday, May 20, 2007 7:19 AM
 SteamFreak wrote:
 SpaceMouse wrote:

 

I agree with your wife and Crandell, Chip. If you did this well in one class, I don't think you have any worries. But even if the backdrop stinks, you can always paint over it! Laugh [(-D]

Same here. There are different thoughts and preferences on backdrops. Some want almost photo quality and some want a vague interpretation and leave it up to the beholder's eye to fill in detail.  All of us are somewhere in-between.

It depends what your end goal is but your talent is pretty good in my opinion.  I finally took the brush to mine after many months...and four trys! We are our own worst critics Evil [}:)]

Regards,

Tom

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 18, 2007 5:15 PM

It took us a year to paint the interior walls of our home.

We still have two rooms to go. We have reached our Alamo with these two rather bad rooms despite a total determination to complete the painting mission.

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Posted by railroadyoshi on Friday, May 18, 2007 5:11 PM

I know what you mean completely. :-)

 

You know, there is one thing I do love about this forum. Even though most of the time I spend here could have been spent working on the railroad, this forum recently became the driving force I needed to get crackin'. Why? Well, over in the commuter modelers thread, someone who I thank very much had the courage to stand up and demand pictures. And now as a result, i'm working feverishly (actually, i do have a fever right now, which stinks, but i digress), to complete one of my station platforms so that I can have something to show for my plans expressed in that thread. Speaking of which, I better get down there and keep at it. We both should.

Yoshi "Grammar? Whom Cares?" http://yfcorp.googlepages.com-Railfanning
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Posted by Jetrock on Friday, May 18, 2007 4:47 PM

Okay, so maybe you can relate...well, writing isn't particularly profitable, it's more like a little added income. At least I'll be able to keep the profits from this book: the last book's profits are being donated to a railroad museum! Not that I mind that at all...I can't cut so much into my day job so hobby stuff that doesn't pay gets sidelined.

I didn't quite forbid myself from playing with 'em, I just de-prioritized actually working on the layout in favor of writing. As I mentioned, I'd go down and run trains for a little while to cool down from all the brain-overheating research stuff.

 I suppose that one thing that makes it easier is that a lot of my side projects are so railroad-related: I re-released an album of Sacramento Northern electric locomotives in Marysville/Yuba City, originally released on vinyl in 1964--digitally remastered it and on CD (with the permission of the original person who did the recording, of course)!

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Posted by SteamFreak on Friday, May 18, 2007 6:17 AM
 SpaceMouse wrote:

 

I agree with your wife and Crandell, Chip. If you did this well in one class, I don't think you have any worries. But even if the backdrop stinks, you can always paint over it! Laugh [(-D]

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:28 PM
 Jetrock wrote:

I don't wanna hear it. Despite my massive Basement Empire, I haven't been able to do anything but sneak down to the basement and run a train back & forth for a few minutes in three months. Of course, this is because I was writing another book (not about streetcars, but I did sneak in quite a few pictures of the SP shops, various electric locomotives, etc) and officially forbidding myself from playing with the trains.

 

This summer my plans are to play with trains and play a lot of computer games. Of course, within a week of my book's deadline I get a call from my publisher and they want to know if I want to work on a *third* book....arrrgh!

Well, I can actually relate to that better than you think. I have two eBooks nearing completion (neither mR) and an article I have to complete (is MR) but they are cutting more into my work time than my modeling time--like getting my practice off the ground and writing for my newsletter.

But I say if you enjoy it and it is worth your while in whatever currency, go for it. But if you want to play with trains, forbidding is harsh.  

 

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by Jetrock on Thursday, May 17, 2007 5:20 PM

I don't wanna hear it. Despite my massive Basement Empire, I haven't been able to do anything but sneak down to the basement and run a train back & forth for a few minutes in three months. Of course, this is because I was writing another book (not about streetcars, but I did sneak in quite a few pictures of the SP shops, various electric locomotives, etc) and officially forbidding myself from playing with the trains.

 

This summer my plans are to play with trains and play a lot of computer games. Of course, within a week of my book's deadline I get a call from my publisher and they want to know if I want to work on a *third* book....arrrgh!

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Posted by selector on Thursday, May 17, 2007 3:19 PM
 SpaceMouse wrote:

Crandell,

This is why my wife thinks I can do it. I did this painting last fall when I joined my wife's plein aire group for a session. I only got the clouds and the upper left of the hillside done before we lost light.

Incredible!  I think that is a fantastic rendering, Chip.  If you can duplicate this in the hues you want for the time of day and weather, and then use a small brush to provide the details of foreground trees, you are there!

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, May 17, 2007 3:13 PM

 leighant wrote:
I cannot tell you that you are a forum-aholic.  But go to a forum and try suddenly to stop foruming.  The attempt may give you the shakes if you are true forum-aholic.  But it may be worth the shock to discover the truth, if you are actually one of these forum addicted souls.

Oh, I've know that for about 2 years (and before that, the Cowboy sites) But up until about a month ago, I got about 20 hours/week done on the layout.

 loathar wrote:

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/949-723

Don't know if you've seen these?

No, they are pretty cool. But, I need to do what's in my head.

 Railphotog wrote:

Certainly no posting block:  Posts 7,276!

Bob, your point is?

Cheese,

I can do stuff one at a time, It's the combination of the multiple perspectives of a three-sided artwork that has me buffaloed.  

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, May 17, 2007 3:05 PM

Crandell,

This is why my wife thinks I can do it. I did this painting last fall when I joined my wife's plein aire group for a session. I only got the clouds and the upper left of the hillside done before we lost light.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by Medina1128 on Thursday, May 17, 2007 1:39 PM

 ARTHILL wrote:
I have been painting mine, 2 feet at a time, when the spirit moves. I have it about 1/3 done, and though I am not an artist either, I am enjoying the project. At the current pace, I will have it done about the same time, the scenery and the track work are done. I hope that is before I get enough money to start the roundhouse scene.

NOT AN ARTIST!!?!? Yeah, right. Art, your backdrops look fantastic. When I figure out how to master this stick.. oh, yeah, it's called a ruler.. Looks like I'm stuck with photobackdrops. But then, that's not entirely a bad thing.

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Posted by cheese4432 on Thursday, May 17, 2007 1:00 PM

Trees? Well if there conifiers(sp?) do the bob nye way or whatever his name is.

  1. paint brown sticks for tree trunks
  2. dip the brush in green paint
  3. put the brush perpanddicular to the trunk
  4. bounce the bruch on and off the trunk up and down to the left and right to get branches.
  5. it looks best when done with a clump of trees spaced closely together.

there yah go quick easy and good looking conifiers.

Remember the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked! Quote from Bill54
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Posted by Railphotog on Thursday, May 17, 2007 12:38 PM

Certainly no posting block:  Posts 7,276!

 

Bob Boudreau

CANADA

Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/

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Posted by loathar on Thursday, May 17, 2007 10:55 AM

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/949-723

Don't know if you've seen these?

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Posted by leighant on Thursday, May 17, 2007 10:52 AM

No, SpaceMouse, you do not have Model Railroader's Block.  I cannot diagnose you, only you can diagnose yourself, but....

I have a similar situation of intending to work on the layout, or even a little structure project, and not finding the time or will to go ahead and do it very often.  Not that I don't care.  But I have forum-aholism.  I am a forum-aholic.  I can't stop reading messages and posting replies.  I am powerless over my forum addicition.  They have made my life unmanageable.

I cannot tell you that you are a forum-aholic.  But go to a forum and try suddenly to stop foruming.  The attempt may give you the shakes if you are true forum-aholic.  But it may be worth the shock to discover the truth, if you are actually one of these forum addicted souls.

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Posted by selector on Thursday, May 17, 2007 10:06 AM

Chip, you can do this in layered stages.  I did the basic blue around the three walls in about 30 minutes with a hand brush and acrylic.  Later, I used that same brush, a three incher, to feather in a lower brighter layer after adding some white to the original.  Later still, another lower band with more white added.  This took about one hour total over two days.  Several weeks later, I grabbed the Walmart acrylics, mixed a bunch of green and yellow with some water to make it go longer, and then started dabbing at the place where I had stopped adding ground goop.  Tilt the brush, this time a half-incher, angled this way, then 90 opposite, to create low-sweeping pine branches.  You can add short vertical dabs of greyish brown paint later to give the glimpses of trunks now and there.

Chip, you know how to do this; grab a slab of cardboard and develop a quick and effective technique that makes it look like a forest.   If She says you can do it, you can do it...who'd know better?

It is the way I went.  I had to experiment with brush dabs and swipes until my mind said to me that it was actually looking like trees.  Don't forget to use different greens, even some quite dark stuff here and there.

Can you feel the pressure building? Big Smile [:D]

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:37 AM

 ARTHILL wrote:
I have been painting mine, 2 feet at a time, when the spirit moves. I have it about 1/3 done, and though I am not an artist either, I am enjoying the project. At the current pace, I will have it done about the same time, the scenery and the track work are done. I hope that is before I get enough money to start the roundhouse scene.

My scenery is going to be very tree intensive. I'm worried about reaching over them to paint. I'm also worried about sore back leaning over 30".

I'm just going to have to buck-up and do it.

And I will...one of these days.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:35 AM

MB & Stix,

I don't think I'll be able to find a color photo of a fictitious 1885 town. At least not an 8MP digital one. No, I think I'll have to paint it. 

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:32 AM

 MidlandPacific wrote:
Hey, sounds like a great family opportunity to me! 

You'd think. She paints for a living. It would be like the carpenter working on his own house--doing a special project for his wife on his day off.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by ARTHILL on Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:20 AM
I have been painting mine, 2 feet at a time, when the spirit moves. I have it about 1/3 done, and though I am not an artist either, I am enjoying the project. At the current pace, I will have it done about the same time, the scenery and the track work are done. I hope that is before I get enough money to start the roundhouse scene.
If you think you have it right, your standards are too low. my photos http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a235/ARTHILL/ Art
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Posted by wjstix on Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:00 AM
There are several photo and painting backdrop companies around, perhaps one of them (or some combination of backdrops) would work for you. I suspect you're hesitating because you don't really want to do the backdrop painting etc. Don't be afraid to use the products out there!! You can cut out a building from one backdrop and one from another, use a few flats, and probably put them all together into something that will work for you.
Stix
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, May 17, 2007 8:55 AM
There was a thread earlier in the week about photo backdrops.  Since you live in a relatively pleasant and scenically interesting area, why not take the wife, the kids, the dog and the camera out for a drive, with everyone looking for "photo opportunities" while the dog does the driving?  Snap a bunch of pictures, and you'll have something to work with.  Maybe you'll want to blow them up to poster size and use them directly, or maybe they'll just be that basis of your material for sketching on the wall.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by Don Z on Thursday, May 17, 2007 8:35 AM

Just remember the easiest way to fix any screw ups is to keep the airbrush with white paint handy....a little bit of spraying and you have a clean canvas to start anew...

Don Z.

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Posted by MidlandPacific on Thursday, May 17, 2007 8:35 AM
Hey, sounds like a great family opportunity to me! 

http://mprailway.blogspot.com

"The first transition era - wood to steel!"

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, May 17, 2007 8:32 AM
 Don Z wrote:

Chip,

Not that I'm an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but why not sketch on paper what you "see" in your head....that might be all your artist wife needs as a starting point...then show her pictures of buildings from your era and turn her loose!

Don Z.

Not a bad idea. But just to be clear, she didn't say she would do it. She said she would help. She thinks I good enough of an artist to do it myself. She's going to coach me and show me how to fix my screw-ups.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by Don Z on Thursday, May 17, 2007 8:30 AM

Chip,

Not that I'm an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but why not sketch on paper what you "see" in your head....that might be all your artist wife needs as a starting point...then show her pictures of buildings from your era and turn her loose!

Don Z.

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Yep, I've got it. A case of...Model Railroader's Block
Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, May 17, 2007 8:26 AM

I can't deny it any longer. Sure I've got plenty of chores with spring and a new garden and the war of the roses and a 5 hour lawn that has to be mowed every week.

But I have to face it. It's been over a month since I worked on the layout. The next step is an easy one. It is airbrushing white paint from the track base over the existing sky blue walls. Shouldn't take more than an hour. Two hours  with set-up and clean-up.

But I figure it's not the airbrush that has me spooked. It's the backdrop painting. I figure it will take a couple months.

In my vision, the three-wall room is painted in a great scenic vista of which the railroad passes through. The town of Train City is 5% on the layout and 95% on the backdrop. Train City on the layout sits in the corner, but on the backdrop extends to the horizon on two walls.  My wife, the artist, says she'll help, but she wants pictures as reference.

Like I have pictures of a fictional town that exists only in my head.

Nope, it's something I've gotta do. And I don't have a clue how to start.  

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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