Tim, Thank you so much for these pictures... and I agree with your principle... to get a basic 'structure' onto which you can modify and refine in the light of what you see. I came late to the art of model railways and found the whole world of illusion fascinating. Everything you create is forced into compromise, and until one accepts that wholeheartedly, frustration will always be your partner!
More specifically, your lovely layout oozes atmosphere which, I guessing here, partly comes from your painting methods. I do hate paint pots labelled 'skin', 'rust', 'concrete' and the like; clearly your technique allows for a more varied palette.
The round-house. Hurray! It has no straight lines to cause vanishing point vertigo, but never-the-less the elipses test the best in eye-level expertise. Here, the compromise is deciding from what height the spectator will look down on it. Your pictures suggest to me that 'adult standing height' from about five feet away works splendidly. As you admit, the top lookout ring is not perfect when viewed close-up, but overall I would like to say you have achieved a terrific compromise.
Thanks for contributing this, and I look forward to seeing the finished layout.
Mike.
Thanks... I have not come across it, but I am sure it will list pitfalls as well as sound practice. All our pressies are wrapped and under the tree, but I'm sure hints will come aplenty in the New Year. A Merry Christmas to yourself, and other companions on here.