LDM34046 Posted October 2, 2022 Author Share Posted October 2, 2022 Another project I wanted to try was making my trees a bit more substantial. The previous layout used solely seafoam however, although they looked good, I felt they looked a bit too delicate. Following a Luke Towan tutorial I picked up a pack of Woodland Scenic armatures yesterday. The idea being, once bent into a suitable shape, seafoam branches are added before being painted and flocked with Coarse Turf. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 2, 2022 Author Share Posted October 2, 2022 Interesting… The technique is working well. I’m not entirely convinced on the shape of the armature. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 2, 2022 Author Share Posted October 2, 2022 A few modifications with the overall shape since the last photo but I'd thought I'd grab a few photos in situ on the layout. It's only temporarily placed as I've still got a few bits I want to add to it. It was sprayed brown and Burnt Grass Coarse Turf was applied with Layering Spray. A few more tuffs need to be added in places. I also made a Seafoam tree using left overs from Lancaster Lane with the new Coarse Turf applied. Happy with the results and I think the Seafoam trees will make up the forest along the backscene. Still not sold on using on the Woodland Scenics armatures for the bulk of the trees. The profile doesn't look natural. The one I've made fits in well hidden behind the garages with a few branches hanging over the roofs. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 2, 2022 Author Share Posted October 2, 2022 “When’s the last train?” 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 8, 2022 Author Share Posted October 8, 2022 A busy week at work. Visited Hornby’s Great Electric Electric Train Show. Interesting to say the least… However, a few purchases and plenty to be getting on with! 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 9, 2022 Author Share Posted October 9, 2022 A flurry of purchases at the show yesterday. Some lovely new rolling stock additions for the layout. Three new mineral wagons. A really soft spot for these Bachmann models. A good base to test out some new weathering skills. Another private merchant wagon, this 7-plank with coke rails makes a nice change to the rake of regular 7-plank. A great find, one of Bachmann’s limited edition colliery wagons. A nice mix of variety and some added colour to the stock list. Looking forward to trying some new techniques to make them look suitably grubby. I understand the gripe some people have towards the cost of our hobby, especially with the latest release of all singing and all dancing locomotives but exhibitions really are a great place for bargains. Four mint condition Bachmann wagons, all with modern couplings and metal wheels, all under £10 each. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 9, 2022 Author Share Posted October 9, 2022 I also stumbled across this new business. Primo Models, specialising in pre-made finescale trees and scenics. Beautifully modelled and relatively good value for money, especially the smaller trees. From the same business I picked up these pre-made static tuffs of long grass and wild flowers. Small packs are ideal for ‘micro’ modellers like me. Not a paid advert, just a great small business emerging and a really happy customer. Plenty of new products on their website should anyone want to have a browse. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWolf Posted October 9, 2022 Share Posted October 9, 2022 (edited) I have a couple of Larch trees by Primo Models, a species pretty much mandatory for the area of Shropshire I'm modelling, I'll post up a photo. Edited October 9, 2022 by MrWolf Picture 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 9, 2022 Author Share Posted October 9, 2022 18 minutes ago, MrWolf said: I have a couple of Larch trees by Primo Models, a species pretty much mandatory for the area of Shropshire I'm modelling, I'll post up a photo. They’re lovely models and I’m sure they’ll fit in well on your layout. Glad to see his brilliant work his getting about! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWolf Posted October 9, 2022 Share Posted October 9, 2022 Aston needs a lot of deciduous trees around the river and some more larch on the far bank representing the fringes of Oaker Wood ( those two will be behind the crossing house to represent those around Aston Hill) if money was no object, I would be buying most of the correct species, but I got up to around £500 and thought how much wire I could buy! That said, I shall be making a sizeable repeat order! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 10, 2022 Author Share Posted October 10, 2022 (edited) Decided to start on the weathering with a wagon I’ve had sitting in the box for the best part of a year. The bright red needed toning down. It was part of a bundle I won from Hornby as a runner up for their ‘Photo of the Year Competition’. A few of the panels were painted brown as replacements. A watered down dark grey acrylic paint was painted over the top before being wiped off with cotton buds leaving the grime in the cracks and around the edges. Black and light brown weathering powders were then lightly applied over a few of the brighter flat surfaces in a streaky downwards motion. Matte varnish sealed it all together. Finally found the nack with varnish, avoiding the white dusty look I’ve had in the past. Happy with the final result. Definitely a less is more approach with weathering. It’s been well over a year since I’ve weathered so happy with the progress. Edited October 11, 2022 by LDM34046 8 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted October 11, 2022 Share Posted October 11, 2022 Looks good, what was the nack to getting the varnish right? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Dragonboy Posted October 11, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 11, 2022 (edited) 3 hours ago, sb67 said: Looks good, what was the nack to getting the varnish right? You beat me to it sb67 as I can never get a good finish with varnish. I use Dullcote which I know is no longer available and my can is getting awfully light in the hand so must be on its last legs. Brian Edited October 11, 2022 by Dragonboy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 11, 2022 Author Share Posted October 11, 2022 I can’t take the credit for the varnish. @NHY 581kindly offered a few tips over on his Sheep Chronicles. My early attempts at varnishing resulted in a dusty white look on the models. This was a result of over spraying the model. I use Humbrol Matt Varnish. With no research it was the second cheapest in my local model shop and I’ve settled with it ever since. Following @NHY 581 advice I found that the can needs well shaking prior to use, a minimum of 30 seconds to a minute. Having the can at room temperature also aids coverage. Spraying the wagon from about half arms length I’ve done one, maybe two passes of each side of the wagon. I’ve found less is definitely more. In the past I’ve over-cooked it and the wagons have looked wet with a thick coat which then dries cloudy. One or two light passes with the spray is enough to seal in the weathering powders leaving a matt finish. I am by no means an expert. My journey of weathering and painting is very much trial and error! 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWolf Posted October 11, 2022 Share Posted October 11, 2022 Varnish advice duly noted. I like what you've done there, The dirt between the planks highlights them nicely and takes away the plasticky look that red wagons seem to suffer from more than other colours. The corner plating and axle boxes are particularly convincing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ringfield_Motor Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 (edited) On 09/10/2022 at 14:44, LDM34046 said: They’re lovely models and I’m sure they’ll fit in well on your layout. Glad to see his brilliant work his getting about! Love the texture you've used on the ground. Is this Plasticard or Daz Clay? Edited October 13, 2022 by Ringfield_Motor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 17, 2022 Author Share Posted October 17, 2022 More weathering on the workbench this week. Decided to try my skills on the new mineral wagon. This time I used just the weathering powders instead of the dark wash. A subtle approach working into the edges and around the doors, working down in a streaky motion. I also wanted to experiment with the new AK Interactive weathering rust pencils. Another technique of trial and error but happy with the streaky rust effect on one of the wagon's panels. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 17, 2022 Author Share Posted October 17, 2022 Another tree has been planted on Brewers Street, this one taking pride of place behind the station halt. I can’t take credit for this mighty oak(?) as it was actually my dad who built it. Having seen my previous attempts he wanted to give it a go. My earlier attempt was knocked together in a matter of a morning. Dad however spent a couple of hours each day over the course of three days and the result show. The branches were trimmed of sprue and hand painted instead of spray and the seafoam was glued to each branch with tacky PVA before a further coat to blend the gaps. The results are impressive and looks rather natural, something I struggled with using the woodland scenics armatures. The tree is yet to be covered in scatter and foliage but that’ll be done once the holes have been drilled definitively for the final placement. I know dad reads this blog from time to time so thank you for your modelling contribution! Your help is always appreciated. 8 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWolf Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 Nice job! I am looking forward to / dreading the thought of (strike out that which do not apply.) constructing the dozens of trees my layout requires.... But I keep getting inspired by the efforts of others. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 17, 2022 Author Share Posted October 17, 2022 3 minutes ago, MrWolf said: Nice job! I am looking forward to / dreading the thought of (strike out that which do not apply.) constructing the dozens of trees my layout requires.... But I keep getting inspired by the efforts of others. It’s a bit like ballasting. Everyone dreads doing it but actually once you find a process that works, little and often gets the job done. I’ve decided ‘quick’ Seafoam trees will make up the bulk of the background and then make some more detailed armatures that’ll sit in the foreground. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 (edited) Another topic of conversation this evening while I was doing a spot of weathering and taking a few photos. Layout Lighting. Both Lancaster Lane and Brewers Street are lit by the bedroom LED spot lights. The bulbs are warm LED which gives a yellow hue. Although I try and adjust the white balance in photoshop it is still noticeable in the photos. Some photos and angles conceal it better than others. When I can I try and shoot the layout during the day when I can rely on natural light but most of my modelling takes place during the evenings when it's dark. Last weekend I did shoot a comparison and the difference is night and day (pun intended!). I've been starting to look at the different lighting options. In hindsight I could have designed the layout with a built in lighting pelmet however I was concerned with the layout being too tall as it sits on the bedroom desk. My second idea is to get an LED Desk Lamp that sits over the layout. I've found a few online that are 80cm in length which would just about cover the length of the scenic area. Most of them also have options to change the warmth and brightness. The third idea is to get some small portable diffused lights to illuminate the layout from the side when shooting it. Only issue is they'd have to be put away and brought out when shooting. Working with natural light is the ideal situation and when filtered through the window shutters I can get some brilliant effects. The only downside is there isn't a constant supply of natural light when modelling after work, especially in the winter. Edited October 18, 2022 by LDM34046 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 22, 2022 Author Share Posted October 22, 2022 More progress on the weathering with the Hornby ex-LSWR brake van being the latest result. Particularly happy with the results of the streaky rust on the duckets and wood grain scribed into the panel with fibreglass brushes. 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWolf Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 I like that a lot, work worn but not looking like it's awaiting it's turn as firewood. One from the less is more school of weathering. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 22, 2022 Author Share Posted October 22, 2022 6 hours ago, MrWolf said: I like that a lot, work worn but not looking like it's awaiting it's turn as firewood. One from the less is more school of weathering. Thank you! I agree, the whole less is more approach seems to be working across the board when it comes to the different areas of modelling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDM34046 Posted October 22, 2022 Author Share Posted October 22, 2022 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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