Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 94

Backdrops and clouds

Here's how I do backdrops.

I use templates to spraypaint clouds onto the blue "sky" background. It's called cloud painting for the "artistically challenged" he, heh (like me!!)

I have found I can get MUCH more realistic looking cloud shapes by using these plastic templates than I ever would by painting directly onto the backdrop with a paintbrush. I think clouds painted directly tend too look too "heavy" or "solid".

To create my templates. I just hacked away at some scrap plastic sheets with a pair of scissors, cutting rough cloud edges or complete shapes (not rocket science - random wavy lines do just fine).

These templates are held close to (but not hard up against) the backdrop. Then, using an airbrush or spray can, flat white paint is MISTED on. Less is better in this instance. Your clouds will look nebulous and hazy if you just mist it on. Too much and they start to look too solid.

Try to achieve sharper edges on the tops of clouds (where the sun shines on them) with feathered edges underneath (in the shadow). Allowing the "sky blue" colour to show through the cloud at places gives it a realistic misty look.

Here is a photo of my home-made cloud templates.

Gavin Miller
Perth, W. Australia
http://users.bigpond.net.au/miller_site/Gavin_index.html

Gavin Miller has attached this image:

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 94

Here's a photo showing my blue painted backdrop at the left and some experimental cloud painting using templates on the right.

This was one of my first attempts. I ended up painting over the clouds a few times (using a paint roller and blue paint) until I was happy with the amount of clouds and the way they looked.

Gavin Miller has attached this image:

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 94

Here's a shot showing my backdrop with the first layer of hills (the horizon) painted on.

These hills were misted with white paint to "fade" them into the distance. Then another, "closer", ridge of hills was painted on top and the whole scene again misted with white. A third ridge of even closer hills were painted on and another mist of white was applied.

By this time, the first (horizon) ridge was faded into the far distance by several mist coats of white paint.

Gavin Miller has attached this image:

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 94

Here three layers of hills have been applied and "faded" into the distance.

Waiting for foreground detail to be added.

Gavin Miller has attached this image:

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 94

Here I've used a kitchen sponge dipped in green paint to dab on "foliage" texture to the foreground hills. I've used a paintbrush dipped in tan paint to add randon "bare earth" areas in the hills and I've painted in some "man-made" structures (as this is supposed to represent the suburban hills).

Gavin Miller has attached this image:

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 94

I decided another mist of white paint was in order. Then I added a nearby "treeline" using a sponge dipped in green paint.

This completed the backdrop.

Gavin Miller has attached this image:

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2002
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Posts: 195

I have a lot to learn.. please continue this lesson, professor...

Great layout, modeling photos.

Great!!!

__________________
Luis Daniel Lopes
Lisbon, Portugal
NARA member #61
ICQ #102437774



"No smoking unless you are a locomotive"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Columbus GA
Posts: 1167

Hi Gavin, That is absolutly excellent!!!! Please post more photos as more progress is made.

__________________
Take Care and Have Fun
Vic
President and Chief Robber Barron
D&RGW - Durango Divison

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 94

Here's what the scene looks like when you throw some Woodlands Scenics foliage clusters in front of the "treeline" painted on the one-dimensional backdrop.

I think the three dimensional clusters blend quite well and the whole scene has depth and "distance" (from the hard foreground objects back to the soft horizon).

Gavin Miller has attached this image:

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2002
Location: Hershey,Pa.
Posts: 186

Excellent work Gavin...
I hope to see more tutorials in the future!

Matt-Chocolatetown USA

__________________
"the POWER of the New York Central!"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Poverty Acres, North Carolina
Posts: 2073

1st rate Gavin! Enough detail to look very real but not so much as to take your mind off the layout itself! I'll have to give that template idea I try. Thanks for the info. How about a track plan???? Please!!!!!


BTW you ought to submit this to the Academy!

__________________
Nantahala Midland
"Route of the Noonday Sun"
NARA Member #54

Last edited by Tyson Rayles on 08-27-2002 at 05:09 PM

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2001
Location: Huntsville, TX USA
Posts: 1017

Wow! I have got to try that out! I think your backdrop technique combined with Tyson's background tree technique are just what I need for my Eastern Tennessee logging layout...

Thanks!

__________________
Rory Glasgow
Copper Ridge Railway
NARA Member #53

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2002
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Posts: 195

I agree with Tyson. this should on tha Academy. Because It's a good way to make clouds and hills.

I also think it should have one or two clouds templae samples, from who the artistical challange is very far... (like me )

Put it on the academy!!!PLEASE!!!!

__________________
Luis Daniel Lopes
Lisbon, Portugal
NARA member #61
ICQ #102437774



"No smoking unless you are a locomotive"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Vernon Hills, Ilinios
Posts: 903

Gavin,
Beautiful backdrop work!, I agree, this should go to the academy.
Looking at the last shot, I think you need a few more locos!
Pete

__________________
Articulated steam rules!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Louisville, KY USA
Posts: 1494

Fantastic!!

Gavin,
That's the best looking backdrop I've ever seen!
If you were ever "artisticly challenged", you have definitely met the challenge!

__________________
The K&I RR
NARA Member #48

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged