Benchwork started........not a good cloud day (Pics)

[Anonymous]

Got the basic layout cut and layed in place, still lots to do fastning bench in place(nothing screws down yet). Door will be replaced with new on that will swing outside room.

The dog bone with the track laying on it is 48" at it's widest point and the one by the door is 40".

Not very happy with my first attempt to realistic cloud cover...like the blue though. Hit me with your thoughts. Seems to look worse the more I look at it.
will prob. redo it before fixing bench in place.
I used the system used on the "Dream,Plan,Build" DVD MR sent me.Open to suggestions. Think I will take some cloud pics this week to help get a visual.

Gauge is HO Room size is 14'x10.5'

[spidge]

I had similar results on the clouds using the same method. I guess some people just have a knack or much more experience than us. Remember these guys in the videos and clinics perfect thier technique before they put it in print or on video.
I haven't done it yet, but I plan to add some shadow with a very light grey /white. I hope to show some pick on progress in a few weeks.
Take a look at the link below my pics.

[ARTHILL]

I am in the same period. I do not plan to start over, but to add detail, more grays, more layers. Look at real clouds, they are extreemly complex. I am also using more than one method. Basically acrylics ala Bob Ross, but with some stencel paint on top. Next will be layers of white and gray with a fan brush. It may turn out lousy, but what looks worst to me are simple blotches of white in a blue sky. I will let you know. Several of us are in this stage together and we can learn from each other.

[nucat78]

The colors look good to me and the wispier ones down low look pretty good. I think maybe the higher ones are too rounded or have too regular an edge.

[Anonymous]

I agree going to practice on one wall then re-do it all..may blend all the way up this time.then put in the clouds.

Practice Practice Practice[V]

[larak]

Clouds are a lot harder than they look as you've found out. I tried several techniques and get better as I practiced. (Still not great though). I also learned a few things the hard way and may redo some of my earliest ones.

My best advice is print off a lot of color images of clouds. You can get them off of the 'net or take your own. Then tack them all over the room. Look at them over and over again as you paint. Notice the shapes and color gradations. Notice also that a bit of blue sky shows through some - especially at the edges. they should get smaller near the horizon (further away), and different on the ceiling.

A good technique is to cut cardboard stencils from enlarged photos. Make the stencil of the top and sides of the cloud. You can use a large sheet and get one or two on each edge. Then hold the stencil one inch from the wall/ceiling and spray gently with white spray paint from a foot away. Do not go too heavy. The shape will appear and the edges will be transparent to a pleasing extent. When done, lightly mist the bottom and / or one side with grey spray paint.

Remember too that the sky should be darker blue at the top and lighter at the horizon. (A gradual transition unless there is a smog line.) I did this with two colors of blue blended while wet in the center. You can do it with a misting of white too. The thin white overspray adds depth. Try it also over your furthest mountains if you are going to have any.

Don't worry you'll soon get it to where you can live with it or even love it. Besides, who wants a perfect painting of a sky to detract from the layout?

[Anonymous]

Thanks I'll give ur ideas a try

Just getting ready to take some cloud shots now.........

[Anonymous]

Better Cloud Day....still not "ON TOP of the WORLD" happy but think I can live with it.
Finally made a Guage decision HO! Bought some track at a show to help maintain the decision[:D]

Also bought 23 custom line switches (12R-11L) from EBAY for $80

Now Time to finish benches

[Anonymous]

Clouds do take practice to make them look right. I have some artistic skill with oil paints but I am going to skip making clouds for the layout and will stick to having haze near the horizon for now. Maybe after some of the foreground is roughed in I will consider doing clouds.

One good thing about doing skies is if your not happy with the results, just paint over it and start again.