Started on the backdrop this week...

Skyraider Jan 25, 2023

  1. Skyraider

    Skyraider TrainBoard Member

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    Got started on the backdrop this week. The lighting in the room makes it look way more blue than it really is. It's a work in progress, so there will be more clouds, etc. It's kind of like weathering...you have to do little bits at a time or you overdo it.

    The shelf brackets may get painted blue. I'm debating on that.

    IMG_6234.JPG IMG_6238.JPG
     
    Kurt Moose, rye, fordy744 and 9 others like this.
  2. Uncle peanut butter

    Uncle peanut butter TrainBoard Member

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    Any concerns painting while the layout is in place? Looks real nice.
     
  3. Skyraider

    Skyraider TrainBoard Member

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    Excellent question. It's not that bad. The layout is a 32" wide around-the-wall shelf with one peninsula. The original plan was to buy and attach professional backdrops. As a result, I left a pretty good gap (approx 3/8") between the wall and the back of the layout. Backdrops are now so expensive that I decided to buy a cheap can of paint and do it this way. My layout room is roughly 20' X 20, and the backdrops would have cost hundreds of dollars.

    Since there's space between the layout and the wall, it's not too bad painting all the way below the top of the layout so there's not a gap in the paint. With only 32" to reach over, it's not hard on a small step ladder to reach the wall. Once the blue was painted, I took some slightly watered down white and went over the sky just above the layout to make it look more like what the horizon really looks like.

    The clouds are a work in progress. My wife has been huge help with ideas, picking colors (I'm color blind), etc.

    Here's a question for you--something I'm debating on. Should I paint the shelf brackets blue or leave them silver?

    Thanks!!!
     
  4. pomperaugrr

    pomperaugrr TrainBoard Member

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    That is a great start!

    Since you asked, I would take the time to paint the shelf brackets blue. They won't disappear completely, but will not draw attention to themselves.
     
  5. HorrorBusiness

    HorrorBusiness New Member

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    Good progress. Definitely paint the shelf brackets. Right now, they stand out a lot.
     
  6. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Definitely paint those brackets. (y)
     
  7. Skyraider

    Skyraider TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the input. The next step will be painting the brackets!!
     
  8. Uncle peanut butter

    Uncle peanut butter TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the quick response. I too would paint the shelf brackets the same color as the wall.
     
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  9. Skyraider

    Skyraider TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for all the input. The shelf brackets have been painted. Three out of the four walls have the base coat of blue. Clouds still need to be painted / adjusted. Lots of work to do, but it's well on the way.

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  10. Skyraider

    Skyraider TrainBoard Member

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    p.s. in case any of you are wondering about the strange looking round hill that's on the edge of the layout on the right side of one photo...there really is a hill out here named Kiowa Peak (pronounced by the locals "Kiowawh Peak"). It looks like a volcanic cinder cone but it's actually a limestone formation.
     
  11. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Painting those brackets makes a huge difference. Eyes are no longer quickly drawn to their presence. (y)
     
  12. Skyraider

    Skyraider TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, and yes, it does look better. One wall to go and then learn how to paint clouds. This week I got sidetracked working on a kitbash / scratchbuild crane project, but the backdrop is next on the list to complete.
     
    dalebaker and BNSF FAN like this.
  13. Skyraider

    Skyraider TrainBoard Member

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    Made a little progress on the backdrop today. The blue is done all the way around. It will get adjusted a little so the horizon is a little less blue. The clouds have been started but have a long way to go.

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  14. Skyraider

    Skyraider TrainBoard Member

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    Finally made a little progress on the backdrop. As I said before, the lighting in the railroad room is pretty poor. The blue is much brighter in the photos than the actual color. Also, you can't see the fading towards the horizon. Someday I'll have to redo the lights.

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  15. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Looks great!

    (y)
     
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  16. rye

    rye TrainBoard Member

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    I like it!! Why not fade the blue all the way up to the ceiling? :)
     

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