I'd love to have a spiffy pun retort, but can't think of any. I'm sure other forum members will find some.
Today was another good day! Doing this rock painting goes fast. It's very forgiving and very artsy-craftsy. I got Ravine #2 prepped and ready for "realistic water".
The trees came to me from Frank Miller when I bought the watchman's tower and corner store in 2005. He just gave me this shopping bag full of trees. I hadn't looked at them until today since I didn't have a layout on which to plant them. Being that they're many years old, some were pretty beat up, but I was still able to salvage 26 of them. That's worth a few $$$ given that large trees go for 8 bucks a pair.
The Tallus along the banks are a combination of W-S large and X-large tallus plus broken plaster scraps that I died in a mixture of W-S slate gray tint, India Ink, water and Isopropyl 91% alcohol. I glued them in place with W-S spray scenery cement, and then will be encased in resin water.
I painted the "Faux" abutments a concrete color. I'm going to weather them more with chalks, but for now they work.
Since I was in a painting mood, I finished all the other rocks with first and top coats. All that's left is some weathering powder treatments, and putting in more vegetation.
I also put some ground cover and working towards finishing up the rear area so Ravine #1 can be plastered, STM'd, painted and "watered". Now that I have one under my belt, this next one will go quickly and confidently. I think I've captured the Kentucky limestone cuts faithfully. (Sorry about the soft focus...cell phone is not the best platform for steady pics)
Here's the palate I used for the rocks. Added to this was Chrome Yellow which I mixed with the grays to warm them up a bit.
Tomorrow there's no train work. Grandson's school Holiday program is taking place and we're all going out to lunch. But I should be back in the train room on Friday and pour the water and finish up Ravine #2. The I will unveil the tower and get the bridge mounted.
Before I landscape any more inter-ravine areas, I want to prepare the raised edges of the town rear side. I rather not be messing with plaster and paint while the area in front of where I working is fully landscaped. So I estimate Ravine #1 plastering will start some time next week.
