backdrops

[thatboy37]

are there any sites that show techniques and ideas on how to paint and decorate the backdrop or the wall. also my other half wants to know do any of you guys have pictures you want to share because she will be doing the painting, and just wants a few pointers.

reggie

[Frank53]

www.backdropwarehouse.com

[Anonymous]

Marvelous Murals You Can Paint, by Gary Lord, David Schmidt

[csxt30]

Reggie :a while back, CTT magazine sent out DVDs on that very subject among other stuff on it. It shows painting a backdrop using the stippling method & looks easy to do, & I thought it looks real nice when done ! The DVD is called "Dream, Plan, Build " . If you can't get it, email me.
Thanks,

[Jumijo]

I just started painting backdrops for my layout, and let me tell ya, it's not that hard! The biggest hurdle you have to get over is your own fear. If you screw up, it's only paint. Paint over what you don't like and move on. Below are some images of my first backdrop panel. I used 1/4" Masonite, but unlike most people, I used the rough textured side, not the smooth side to paint on. The rough side gives the paint something to stick to, and resembles a painted canvas when done. I also think the texture gives the finished painting a more realistic look by building in texture to painted elements like trees, grass, etc.

The backdrop only took me about 2 hours to finish, and much of that time was waiting for paint to dry.

I started by painting the whole thing with white ceiling paint. While that was still wet, I painted the sky with a brush in a cross-hatch fashion. That made blending sky and clouds easier.

After all that dried, I painted in the mountains. All one flat color of blue (extra latex paint I had from some room I painted).

When they were dry, I painted in the tree line, then the foreground pines in the upper right corner. Hard to tell, but they blend right in with the layout's trees.

Finally, I painted in the grassy meadow. Again, all one flat color, but then I highlighted it with some stippled yellow/green and a little brown. Not rocket science, and trust me on that one!

The whole thing sits an inch or so away from the edge of the tracks, yet gives the illusion of distance. It was easy, fun, and worthwhile. You have nothing to lose, so give it a try.

Clicking on the images enlarges them.





Look closely and you can see in the photo below the subtle yellow/green highlighting I mentioned. It's right above the rock.




See the pines in the upper right hand corner? Which ones are painted and which ones are "planted"?

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Go to the library and look up some landscape painting books (Bob Ross Joy of Painting for example). The Dream Plan Build DVD has a great presentation on the technique. The mural is easy to do. Figure it's a background and what you want is perspective of depth and illusion. It does not need to be "picture perfect" to work great.
Jim