I agree it would be nice to match the backdrop with the scenery, but not practical. Ah well. Don’t think too hard.
@Aegis21 posted:Have been working on everything but the layout. Honey do time out for sure. I am about to attack the backdrops and how to do them... It would seem that they would be last to do, to carry the scenery and roads, rivers, buildings into the horizon. However if I am painting them, all the scenery would be in the way of painting. (my head hurts lol) Getting hog tied again with over thinking, I think..... pun intended
As the renown philosopher Curly once said, “I’m thinkin’ but nuthins happenen”.🤫
@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:As the renown philosopher Curly once said, “I’m thinkin’ but nuthins happenen”.🤫
I just said that to myself a couple days ago! 😄
I stop to think sometimes and forget to start again!
Good point, John. I do that too! No wonder they shoved me out the door at work! 😄
I've been learning how to paint the backdrop and I'm not sure I get all the nuances of perspective. A couple of different views of the same area. I thought the blue sky wasn't bad...
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John, I'm not sure about the nuance either, but you sure nailed it and made it look so real! Great work!
@Aegis21 posted:I've been learning how to paint the backdrop and I'm not sure I get all the nuances of perspective. A couple of different views of the same area. I thought the blue sky wasn't bad...
It looks pretty darn good to me!
@mike g. posted:John, I'm not sure about the nuance either, but you sure nailed it and made it look so real! Great work!
Thanks for the encouragement, I am totally out of my comfort zone.
@charles mcdaniel posted:It looks pretty darn good to me!
Thanks, appreciate the feedback.
@Aegis21 posted:Thanks for the encouragement, I am totally out of my comfort zone.
I know what you mean, I know nothing about doing it, but will try to learn and do my best! Then again most everything looks good for me as long as the trains are running good! 😆
Your Hired. Looks pretty good to me. I started in one area I was re doing. My second effort was more like what I was I was looking for. It’s been so long now I’m sure I forgot how I did it. I’ve watched a few videos and what I’ve pretty much got out of them is. You don’t try to really paint anything with brush strokes. Just dab or stipple the paint.
I can appreciate real photo backdrops that match the theme of the layout. Often times to me they look to good to the eye and grab your attention more so than the actual scenery on the layout. I like your approach. Well Done.
John, I think it looks marvelous! I agree with Dave and Mike. Your backdrop will provide just the right setting for the actual foreground scenery and trains, which are your focal point.
@Aegis21 posted:Thanks for the encouragement, I am totally out of my comfort zone.
That’s what makes it all the better; challenging yourself with something out of your comfort zone. You’re much more daring, and successful, than me. I would never attempt such an undertaking. Congratulations John!
Jay
@mike g. posted:I know what you mean, I know nothing about doing it, but will try to learn and do my best! Then again most everything looks good for me as long as the trains are running good! 😆
Well said!
@Dave_C posted:Your Hired. Looks pretty good to me. I started in one area I was re doing. My second effort was more like what I was I was looking for. It’s been so long now I’m sure I forgot how I did it. I’ve watched a few videos and what I’ve pretty much got out of them is. You don’t try to really paint anything with brush strokes. Just dab or stipple the paint.
I can appreciate real photo backdrops that match the theme of the layout. Often times to me they look to good to the eye and grab your attention more so than the actual scenery on the layout. I like your approach. Well Done.
Thanks, however it is not my approach, this is from the web. Chris Lyons has a five part video that I have been trying to emulate. I still need to learn how to paint conifers and do better fields. But it is a great approach as it allows the railroad to be the focal point.
@Mark Boyce posted:John, I think it looks marvelous! I agree with Dave and Mike. Your backdrop will provide just the right setting for the actual foreground scenery and trains, which are your focal point.
Thanks Mark, your build is certainly inspiring me to move forward and if I take a step back then thats ok too.
@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:That’s what makes it all the better; challenging yourself with something out of your comfort zone. You’re much more daring, and successful, than me. I would never attempt such an undertaking. Congratulations John!
Jay
You say daring my wife says fool hardy LOL
John, Chris Lyons was one of the names I was trying to come up with. I think I’ve watched all his videos. Most of the layouts he visits or operates on all seem to have the same style as far as backdrops. Your rolling hills or fields as well as color choices reminded me of his work.
@Dave_C posted:John, Chris Lyons was one of the names I was trying to come up with. I think I’ve watched all his videos. Most of the layouts he visits or operates on all seem to have the same style as far as backdrops. Your rolling hills or fields as well as color choices reminded me of his work.
Yes I have watched and did my best to emulate his methods. My only difference was my scenes are in the fall so red, orange, brown and yellow were incorporated. I still cannot make a decent conifer. But I will keep trying. Also during this time I am fabricating my trestle using 3d printer. So I can get distracted on purpose and then go back to my failing conifers. lol
I watch anything HO modeler Marty McGurk has on You Tube. He models the fall in Vermont which is kind of where I’m at. His layout update #7 offers a few tips on painting a backdrop. You don’t see him actually paint it. But there’s some good info. along with colors he uses.
@Dave_C posted:I watch anything HO modeler Marty McGurk has on You Tube. He models the fall in Vermont which is kind of where I’m at. His layout update #7 offers a few tips on painting a backdrop. You don’t see him actually paint it. But there’s some good info. along with colors he uses.
Thanks for the valuable info! I will look him up for sure!
This is a crazy hobby for sure. One minute I am learning to paint a backdrop, then 3d designing a trestle and learning how to build a layout. Geeze, then the electronics aspect, scenery, weathering, sculpting, and signalling and many more I haven't mentioned... Here is my best attempt at conifers to date and printed trestle parts. I am liking the green paint on the vertical supports. Let me know what I overlooked and can improve. (there is always improvement possible) 
Thanks
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John, I think you just named a few of the different aspects of the hobby that hold our interest and we never get bored! 👍🏻
Your conifers look good. They could be a little more full looking, either fuller branches or branches slightly closer together, but they are certainly good as they are. Your backdrop is good.
The trestles look great! Starting with a well done drawing, your printed parts are great!!
Thanks Mark on the good advise on the conifers. They could use the help you recommended. And yes I am never bored LOL
Your trees are looking good, don't be afraid to add a little brown here and there on the branches, lighter on the top and darker as you go down the trunk to the ground... Your background is great. Too much detail, and folks focus on that instead of the trains, structures, details and the theme. We all forget', but many times less is more'.. You are doing very nice work.. Don't forget to have fun doing it'..... 😁 👍
John, if you add a few foreground trees such as Supertrees to the front of the trees you painted along with some bushes. You will have the effect that the tree line extends back. But they will no longer be the first tree you see when viewing. Your looking at a 90 degree angle going from the layout to the backdrop. A few layers of ground cover and bushes will soften the transition and I think you will be pleased as to how it comes out.
@Quarter Gauger 48 posted:Your trees are looking good, don't be afraid to add a little brown here and there on the branches, lighter on the top and darker as you go down the trunk to the ground... Your background is great. Too much detail, and folks focus on that instead of the trains, structures, details and the theme. We all forget', but many times less is more'.. You are doing very nice work.. Don't forget to have fun doing it'..... 😁 👍
The CEO agrees with your suggestion and comments. Thanks for the advise! I struggle with the backdrop, however, overall it is fun to do something I've never thought I could do. Thanks for the encouragement.
@Dave_C posted:John, if you add a few foreground trees such as Supertrees to the front of the trees you painted along with some bushes. You will have the effect that the tree line extends back. But they will no longer be the first tree you see when viewing. Your looking at a 90 degree angle going from the layout to the backdrop. A few layers of ground cover and bushes will soften the transition and I think you will be pleased as to how it comes out.
Great point, I will do the best I can in this area. The track will be elevated in that section, and trees a shrubs might be cramped. The rest of the layout will be lower and conducive to foreground trees a bushes. As I get towards town, the background I hope will become more hills and fields and less mountainous. That should facilitate your suggestions. Thanks for your comments, as it makes me think in overall effect rather than just the localized look.
Catching up on your recent exploits John. Everything is looking good. The backdrop looks great! Channeling your inner Bob Ross...
I agree with the others that some browns and yellows added to the trees will help. Pine's will yellow and thin out toward the bottom naturally since they don't get as much sunlight as the top of the tree. Adding 3 dimensional trees and shrubs will help too. OK to wait until the track and other scenery is installed before deciding what to add.
The bridge piers are nice too. Only thing that jumped out to me was that the rivets look a little too big.
Keep up the good work.
Bob
John,
I like your backdrops, very Impressionist. They set the tone for the display of both foreground scenery and the trains which is what most of us want to show off. And Bob Ross would be pleased with your "happy little clouds". Thanks for the inspiration. Earl
Good morning John, I really like your back drop and the details your putting into it. I think your on the right track with waiting till you get some track in that area before you start adding more trees and shrubs. As for the bridge piers I think they look great and hope you will be adding them to the 3D page on the forum. I am just wondering if your also going to be doing curved sections of raised bridge piers?
No matter what you do just have fun and just to be safe keep checking in with the CEO for her thoughts! LOL
@RSJB18 posted:Catching up on your recent exploits John. Everything is looking good. The backdrop looks great! Channeling your inner Bob Ross...
I agree with the others that some browns and yellows added to the trees will help. Pine's will yellow and thin out toward the bottom naturally since they don't get as much sunlight as the top of the tree. Adding 3 dimensional trees and shrubs will help too. OK to wait until the track and other scenery is installed before deciding what to add.
The bridge piers are nice too. Only thing that jumped out to me was that the rivets look a little too big.Keep up the good work.
Bob
Bob,
Thanks for the input on everything. The rivets were sized with printer capabilities taken into account. I use a PLA printer and for the size of the main pieces (some around 12 inches) the pla was the way to go, however I give up some fine detail. I didn't try smaller ones and maybe I can get away with a properly scaled rivet.
Again Thanks for your interest and help
@Conductor Earl posted:John,
I like your backdrops, very Impressionist. They set the tone for the display of both foreground scenery and the trains which is what most of us want to show off. And Bob Ross would be pleased with your "happy little clouds". Thanks for the inspiration. Earl
Thanks for the comments, I have watched a lot of Bob Ross videos, even one his son did. He always brought a light hearted kindness to everything he did.
@mike g. posted:Good morning John, I really like your back drop and the details your putting into it. I think your on the right track with waiting till you get some track in that area before you start adding more trees and shrubs. As for the bridge piers I think they look great and hope you will be adding them to the 3D page on the forum. I am just wondering if your also going to be doing curved sections of raised bridge piers?
No matter what you do just have fun and just to be safe keep checking in with the CEO for her thoughts! LOL
Hi Mike,
Sure looks like you have a new train room and pleanty of fun in front of you! Not sure how useful the bridge piers on the 3D page as they are not too user friendly (not fully parametric designed , I took short cuts! ) , I am working out some "bugs" and could have some rendition available. As for curves... I am also looking at that possibility. I just don't know if I'll have the time to put into that, for my own use. lol And I ALWAYS check with the CEO! Thanks as always
@Aegis21 posted:Hi Mike,
Sure looks like you have a new train room and pleanty of fun in front of you! Not sure how useful the bridge piers on the 3D page as they are not too user friendly (not fully parametric designed , I took short cuts! ) , I am working out some "bugs" and could have some rendition available. As for curves... I am also looking at that possibility. I just don't know if I'll have the time to put into that, for my own use. lol And I ALWAYS check with the CEO!
Morning John, I know it takes alot to come up with plans for 3D prints and folks like you are what make things do able for people like me! I am sure you will get it all worked out to make life easy for you!
I know sometimes its not easy and it all trial and error, but when it all comes together is sometimes a great time and you just sit back and smile!
@mike g. posted:Morning John, I know it takes alot to come up with plans for 3D prints and folks like you are what make things do able for people like me! I am sure you will get it all worked out to make life easy for you!
I know sometimes its not easy and it all trial and error, but when it all comes together is sometimes a great time and you just sit back and smile!
Hi Mike,
The major difficulty is my lack of knowledge using fusion 360 software. I have been learning bits and pieces as I need to, but not having a full grasp of ALL the tools that are available. I will certainly share anything I have done in 3D as a return to ALL the tremendous help I have gotten on this forum. I am trying to figure out how to easily adjust the vertical support heights to maintain the proper design grade of the elevated line. I did learn to use the program to take two components and put them together, however somehow I messed up the actual height by 3/4" of an inch! 
that is an issue I didn't see coming. Unfortunately I am also working on the backdrop painting with even less skills than using fusion360... lol So it is learn to paint a tree, then a field, then a hill... you get the picture (pun intended lol) When I get the trestle parts worked out I will certainly share them and anything else that could be useful to someone!
John, I was an art teacher (of teens) for 33 years and can navigate a loaded brush pretty well myself. Having said that, I probably won't be painting my own backdrop and opt for commercial ones instead especially since I am doing an urban/industrial setting. I am TOTOALLY IMPRESSED with your painting skills and the fact that you are a novice at that. Stop doubting yourself; you have skills, man! Seriously, great job. The comments from the group are also on point and should be taken into consideration.
Mikki
Mikki
Hi John, I know what you mean, its been awhile since I used SCARM and I am having a heck of a time with it to the point I had to ask for help again with my future layout!
John, Take Mikki's word for it. Your backdrop painting looks really good!!!
