Hey everyone, I really appreciate all the great comments. I've still got a ways to go on the area where the trees are most notably the underbrush at the front edge of the trees. I'm feeling pretty good about the backdrop right now, I'm certain I can get a respectable result. With 170 feet of backdrop, I figure about 30% is covered with buildings, that still leaves around 120 feet of research, photoshopping, and painting to do. It doesn't seem like such a daunting task now that I have gained some confidence and am enjoying the process - actually looking forward to it!
Again, I want to send a thank you to biL. His coaching and enthusiasm really pushed me to go further than what I thought I was capable of. Rest in peace, biL.
If I can be of help to anyone, I'll be here.
Well done Gary---I'm sure biL would be very pleased.Your scenery is a lasting tribute to his memory.
In all seriousness, Gary, have you considered writing up your backdrop techniques for one of the major publications? Here is why I think that would be good:
1) Your finished product is excellent.
2) Your tutorials and methods could be extremely helpful to others.
3) Backdrops are one of those "intimidation" parts of a layout. Showing that a person can do a great job with a first attempt will motivate others.
Gary S Wrote:If I can be of help to anyone, I'll be here.
How soon will you be retiring? I figure you can spend about 6 weeks here. Did I mention I am only 1 mile from the Fort Wayne line with 70+ trains a day (except when Wayne is here without CNnutbar)
Charlie
I'd bring him along more often, Charlie, but that horseshoe plays havoc with the passenger seat in my car.
Wayne
Mister Nutbar, thank you.
Kevin, you got me to thinking, at the San Jacinto Model Railroad club annual February train show, they put on several clinics throughout the day. I am considering putting together a PowerPoint presentation and see if they would allow me to give a clinic.
Charlie B, sorry, no retirement for me for at least a decade.
The latest project - backdrop for a pipe yard.
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Houston Tubular Inc, located just south of Houston in Pearland, Texas, is the inspiration for my pipe yard.
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And some coated pipe...
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And backdrop 90% done, and playing around with the scene. Have to build a ton of the stacked pipe thingies to populate the area.
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OK...You either cheated...Or you have the steadiest hand this side of the Red river....
Is the siding of the blue building plastic sheeting...Or did you actually draw in the flutes on the siding..??
Kurt, thank you for the nice compliment. It is funny, but from 2 to 3 feet, the pipe stacks look pretty good. Up close, well, kind of rough. But since the shelf is 2 feet deep, there ya go!
Gus, here is how the lines were drawn... cheating!
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And a photo of the pipes on the left side of the layout:
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The stuff in the far background will get a blue wash to make them look hazy and distant.
That's awesome!! Very nicely done. And it's not cheating - it's using available resources smartly.
Andrew
MasonJar Wrote:That's awesome!! Very nicely done. And it's not cheating - it's using available resources smartly.
Andrew
Gary does a very unusual blending of technical drawing with artist painting. It is a rare talent to perform precise technical work (90° angle on drawn buildings) and artist work (tree branches) at the same time on the same object.
