Hello, I would like to have your advice regarding putting up a backdrop on my layout. As you can see, 3 sides are open so should I put a backdrop on all 3 sides or just one?
I'm modeling freelance, transition era.
Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
Thank you and have a nice day
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Serge
Nice looking layout.
At a minimum I would start by painting the walls a sky blue. You can start with 1 backdrop and just paint clouds on the others. Ultimately I'd put one wherever the layout comes close to a wall.
Good Luck
Springfield PA
YES, I agree on both points ,nice ....Jerry
My layout is bolted to the wall on three sides. I painted the walls sky blue then put up a set of printed backdrops I got from Busch. The layout is now surrounded by a hilly forest scene on three sides with only the operators area being open. The background adds a 3D punch to the photos.
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Those Busch backdrops are really a winner when it comes to a 3D effect. I have used them on two different layouts I had built some years ago. Unfortunately, they have a "European" look to them, which may not be suitable for the region you may model.
The easiest way is, as mentioned, to pay the walls sky blue - but what is sky blue? I prefer a light gray - very light gray, as we don´t see a clear blue sky many times in the region where I live.
Hello, I would like to thank you all for the suggestions and compliments, I still have a long way to go and this is my first layout.
The more I read topics on this forum and also articles in MR, I say to mysel, gee I should of done it this way instead of the way I did it; I guess it's called the learning process.....
The original reason why I wrote this topic is that since my layout is open on 3 sides, should I build backdrop walls on the left and right sides of the layout or should I leave them open? Layout size is 9' x 12'.
Many people simply put the background on 1-2 feet sheet styrene and attach it to the sides of the layout. That allows you to still reach over for maintenance and still give you a trackside scenic view.
Consider adding a two-layered backdrop. The sky could just be the walls of the room, painted pale blue, perhaps with clouds added if you like. But then, as a separate panel, add everything up to the horizon, i.e. everything that isn't sky. This panel could attach to the layout sides, and it would be low enough to see/reach over from outside the layout. It might even be removable, and if generic enough it could be swapped to the opposite side of the benchwork for taking photos from alternate angles. You could use photographic backdrops for this, just mount them to a rugged backing material and carefully cut them out right at the sky's edge.
Hello, I would like to thank you for the additional ideas.
I think I'll make smaller removable backdrop pannels for both left and right sides, and for the backwall, paint a sky and clouds then adding photo backdrop to blend in with the sky.
So you see all of your ideas are very usefull, and as they say....2 brains are better than 1.
Have a nice day
Good Luck with it and don't forget to post pics of the result.
One piece of advice I'd offer on picking the shade of blue for your sky is to paint a small patch of the wall first, let it dry, then see what it looks like under the actual layout lighting conditions. I thought I had the perfect shade, but when I saw it under my florescent lights, it was way too pale. I re-painted with a blue that was several shades darker, and it looks much better.
Just automatically going with a darker blue than you think may not work either, as your lights may not be the same as mine, or in the same position as mine. That's why doing an actual test is better.
Good luck!
Hello again, thanks O'Dave for the additionnal infos on the blue sky paint, I'll be sure to post results once the backdrop will be completed.
Hi Serge.
Judging by the quality of what you have done so far, you have more than enough skill to put up a seamless backdrop made out of masonite. I did it, so that means it can't be that hard to do.
I attached mine with 10/32 machine screws and "t-nuts" to the benchwork. Using a drill to undo the screws, it will come off in a flash if need be.
Filling the cracks was easy using drywall compound and they are invisible even up close. Just take your time.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
scribbelt Hello again, thanks O'Dave for the additionnal infos on the blue sky paint, I'll be sure to post results once the backdrop will be completed. Have a nice day
Here's an option to look at:
http://www.sceniking.com/CatHO.htm
I'm looking at getting C003, which is used here http://www.sceniking.com/SIA.htm (scroll down to the one labeled "Prince Edward Island"
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Hello, thanks a lot Brent for posting pics of your backdrop it looks very nice; I'm a visual person so for me a picture is worth a thousand words....
I think that adding a photo backdrop by SceniKing (thanks Antonio) and blending it in, would complete it beautifully.
Thanks a lot guys
Nice layout! My 2 cents - I understand the benefits of having the layout like an island so you can walk around the outside, but personally if I decided on that kind of layout, I wouldn't have a backdrop. Alternatively, since it looks like you could reach from the center to the back of the layout, could you push the layout back against one or two walls - ie: against one so you could backdrop one side, or into a corner so you could backdrop two sides?
I just think backdrops on an island layout take away the viewing benefits. Thoughts?
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Hello Aralai, being able to acces my layout on 3 sides is interesting and I thank you for bringing up that perspective.
I will certainly analyse all of your suggestions and see on the premises what will visually look the best.
I cannot move the layout against left wall because I have to leave access (min.3 ft wide) to the electrical pannel.
If your layout is not against a wall I tend to agree with Aralai. My last layout was 5' x 10' and I could walk all around it. I enjoyed running and watching the trains from different vantage points around the layout. That being said, sitting in the middle of things with a backdrop shielding you from the outside world can be nice too. Keep us posted of your progress. I like what you have done so far.
I can't really tell from the photo, but is one side against the wall? If so, then I would tend to backdrop that side, and possibly the side where the industry with the blank chimney is. That might be a good compromise but still leave much of the layout open for viewing.
Hello Brent, thank you for the compliments, it's my first layout so I really don't have a precise plan to follow since it's freelanced, the only part of the layout that's aginst a wall is the back, both left and right sides are open so that would be interesting for viewing as Aralai mentionned it.
Thank you Aralai and Brent for your comments they are greatly appreciated.
Scribbet,
Don't forget to keep us updated with your progress
Hello, as promised when backdrop is completed I'll post pictures of the finished product, but please don't hold your breath, this might take a while....
Just do the walls where the layout butts up against them. The idea is that it is supposed to be off in the distance, so adding them to the open areas would not look right.
Before going any further paint your wall(s) a light blue. Very light blue. Many people use too dark blues for the backdrop. I just did that last week, got the colour cards, went outside and held them up against the sky and then picked a lighter shade.
Painting a backdrop is not very hard. You need a couple of stiff 1" round brushes, a small brush, and a 3" flat brush with short bristles. A stiff fan brush works for doing conifers. For colour, you need Mars Black, yellow, brown, and white. No Green!
You dab a mix of black and yellow onto the backdrop with the round brush, just keep stabbing it with the brush and before you know it, you'll have a forest. Do not add tree trunks, because you don't see them in the distance anyway.
Hello Betamax, thank you for the tips and advice, they are appreciated, it would be nice if you could post a pic of your backdrop so we can see the results of your work, it would give me and others some good ideas.
Thanks and have a nice day
I didn't do this, but I assisted (as well as choosing the 'sky blue' and slathering it on with a roller the week before.)
This was done in a matter of 2 hours (with a short break to enjoy cupcakes with cream, strawberries and raspberries.)
Click on the "backdrop" link in the sidebar.
betamaxMany people use too dark blues for the backdrop.
I think it can depend on the layout lighting conditions. I thought my first selection for sky blue was perfect until I painted a section, let it dry, and saw it under the florescent lights in the train room. Due to the shape of my ceiling, the lights are fairly close to the walls, and they really washed out that blue. It was far too pale for the kind of sky conditions I wanted to replicate, so I re-painted with a darker shade and I like the results much better.
My advice would be to paint a test section or fairly large scrap piece and see how it looks under the lights, then go lighter or darker (or keep it) based on what you see in your room.
Hello Betamax, thank you for the link ; it's a very instructive slide show and it gives us a good idea how to paint a backdrop.
O'Dave I agree with you about the lighting conditions, I weathered buildings on my workbench and when I put them on the layout they looked too dark, I had to apply lighter colours so they can stand out more under the layout lights.
Glad you liked the pictures. The technique isn't that hard to learn.
In fact, the painter did a clinic at an NMRA regional convention a couple of years back, and claims there is no one he can't teach. He'll also be doing a clinic at the upcoming Craftsman Structure Show (CSS).
He is self taught. Developed the techniques on his own.
He also said he gets his materials at De Serres. Cheap brushes and big tubes of acrylic paints, you could probably get all the materials for $30.
Hello Betamax, thanks for the additionnal infos. I have a Omer De Serres store in my area, that's where I buy my pastel chalk and spray paint.
It would be nice to have a train convention in my area (Montreal) the only "Model Train event" I attended so far were Model Train Club Open-Houses.....Luckily I have a LHS where I can meet dedicated hobbyists and also a "Gentleman" store owner who is always there to give me advice and answer all of my questions on any subject regarding the hobby.
Anybody mention 1/2 -inch extruded blue foam for a backdrop?
It's lightweight, cheap, takes paint well and you can leave it as it is until you add painted scenery or poster scenery or whatever