I have been wanting to build a platform/staging/display base for structure photography of my scratch builds, rolling stock, etc. One thing led to another, and before long it was developing into a full fledged diorama' . Here are the beginning shots of the" Scenic Express" Super Trees under construction. This is a great product and the "Super leaf foliage material, actual tiny leaves look terrific and make very realistic trees'..
Several construction pixs follow. Here's a pix of the trees under construction: I used, Aileen's, tacky spray and the SE, "Super Leaf" foliage material.
Next up, Hydraulic Cement for side walks and roads'. Moving right along, As we all know in this hobby, when building a project, one thing leads to another. What started as just a background to use for taking photographs of structures on, started to develop into a full fledged diorama. 24 x 24" green insulation board from Lowe's as the base. I wanted some elevation and used, Styrofoam from packaging material to do that.
I also wanted to try Hydraulic cement for a sidewalk and a road. This stuff works great, a 50,50 mix of water and the powder, spread it out, let it dry. Nice effect follows'..I also used Arizona Rock and Mineral company, Red Stucco, for the base on a dirt road in the actual 'Onion Town. We'll get to that later'..
The rock cliff is foam rubber from Scenic Express also. It comes in a plain yellow ugly color. However, when Hunterline's Blue stain is applied, Black A & I ,and a variety of 'Pan Pastels colors added, you can achieve this result. I am not going into every intricate detail on this thread, as most viewers are already excellent model craftsman. However, for the benefit of new modelers, I am only too happy to explain in detail for you exactly how I achieve the results you see in this thread if you are interested in these techniques that I use.
Now, here are the two Rich White, plaster kits. Again a simple wash of Hunterline Blue, Brown, washes. Apple Barrel Acrylic Craft paints: Antique white; Parchment; Yellow; Burnt Umber, and A/I, and of course Doctor Ben's "Industrial Weathering Powders" and a variety of "Pan Pastels'. A finishing lite spray of "Dull Coat is applied, but very lightly. Also, I do not prime the plaster. I think better color is received by the washes soaking in directly on the plaster. Just my preference, as most kit manufactures recommend priming...
Onion Town, being test fitted for detail parts. The small cabin, junk piles, fire wood stacks and figures are resin kits from, "Rusty Rails Models". These are some of the best castings I have worked with. Very clean and extremely highly detailed, and they are priced right as well. I really enjoyed painting these figures and all the accessory pieces. Painting technique is mentioned in above thread'.. Being Resin', all pieces were primed with Rustolem, Camouflage Undercoating, (Tan) color) and left to dry for 24 hours to achieve a good solid base. This paint drys in about 10 minutes. But the longer it dries, the better results are obtained for craft acrylics adhering to the parts. 
The road material is from Arizona Rock and Mineral Company, Arizona, Red Stucco, as a base coat, then covered with sand from Michael's Crafts.
Not too many pleasures on the homestead', but luckily, Thelma Ann is one of them'..
Finishing touches. Different prospective shots, and night fall arrives'. If you take notice of the "Airex car, and the Airex sign on the bait shoppe', Airex fishing tackle was owned by "Lionel Toy Train Company". and they were darn good reels'...
Thanks for looking in'...
