Large Scale Central

Painting Rocks Made from 3" Rigid Foam Insulation

Modeling
#1

For some time I’ve been unhappy with how I’ve been coloring the “rocks” and rock faces on my layout. So far I’ve just been winging it and relying on my painting experience to miraculously pull me through…it never happened to my satisfaction. It’s always been off.

Both my mountain yard and the mining district are based on the mines to the west of me here in the mountains, which have a particular coloring to them and I wasn’t getting it. So this afternoon I sat down and made a determined effort to get things the way I want. Here’s the sample I worked on, and I hope I’m getting closer to the look I’m after (real rocks from the mines and my painted efforts in both pictures):

Thanks for looking. Any suggestions or resources would be appreciated.

edit: actually here’s a better picture of the rock son the right:

#2

Your an artist by profession, so of course they look off to you. To us peasants they look just fine…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#3

What Ken said

#4

What Ken & David said.

#5

What Ken, David and Lou said

#6

do you know, what is the best, but most difficult phrase in modelling?

“i declare this done!”

you can work for weeks (or longer) on a mountain. if perfect, or not, nobody will notice.

everybody will concentrate on the rattler, the forty-niner skeleton, and the old saddle, you put into the scene. (or the bathing girl in the small pond… if the mountain really went wrong)

#7

Ken Brunt said:

Your an artist by profession, so of course they look off to you. To us peasants they look just fine…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

Most artists are scared of the brighter colors and involve themselves on neutral tones. John is a bright boy and bright boys sometimes forget brighter accent colors. Perhaps some hints of green foliage here and there. He loves Italian Opera Ken but forgot the oregano sprinkled on the rocks (ya know the crap you slip on while spelunking ? Don’t forget the mountain goats and cougars John …cougars are good!

However I’m no expert but it’s a wonderful model train forum that is FULL of expert advice !

This post has been edited by : ROOSTER

#8

Yep, to us peasants it looks just great! Well done.

But you are the king, so how happy are you? After all, you are the one that will looking at it every day.

#9

I knew I posted this for a reason. I needed the reality check and encouragement, or I’d never get this, it’s been going on intermittently for months. I think this is good enough to take the method and colors out onto the layout, and it’ll probably get better as I go along. (I’ll get to the oregano at some point, Russell.) Ken had a point about “I declare this done!” It’s weird because I never have that problem with my work, especially once the check clears!!!, but on the railroad…geez, do I fret!

Thanks.

#10

Looks great

Dennis

#11

John, I have one question … which one is the real rock? (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#12

Yes, you will get better, and faster, as you do more of them. But it looks good to me.

#13

Dan Hilyer said:

John, I have one question … which one is the real rock? (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

I wasn’t sure at first either. Had to study the texture to figure it out. Looks great John!

#14

Suck ups!

He’s not happy with it so make him work and think even if it is “excellent work” he cannot have the easy out.

I never got the hallpass I seeked from the masses of LSC !!!

#15

Rooster ’ said:

…

I never got the hallpass I seeked from the masses of LSC !!!

#16

Rooster ’ said:

Suck ups!

He’s not happy with it so make him work and think even if it is “excellent work” he cannot have the easy out.

I never got the hallpass I seeked from the masses of LSC !!!

Well, NOW you have one!

#17

Bruce, this is still one of my all-time favorite builds, and it fits great into the setting:

#18

Bruce Chandler said:

Rooster ’ said:

Suck ups!

He’s not happy with it so make him work and think even if it is “excellent work” he cannot have the easy out.

I never got the hallpass I seeked from the masses of LSC !!!

Well, NOW you have one!

You checked the wrong destination. Counselor would be more like it. …(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)