Below is a link to a few photos of some rock outcrops I have been working on for my layout. These were constructed using rigid foam insulation covered by plaster cloth. I then applyed some Woodland Scenics foam puddy to provide texture. I did add some spackle when I ran out of foam putty. I then coated everything with a gray auto primer. After that was dry, I applied various washes of Woodland Scenics water based paints using the the following colors: stone gray, burnt umber and raw umber. I will probably add some dark chalks to complete.
I don’t mean to sidetrack your thread into what I feel is a related and relevant issue (for me), and I hope you’ll forgive me if I seem to be doing that.
I find it difficult to actually see and to be able to offer you reasonable feedback based on the imagery at your link. The scene is poorly light, and the images are not well-enough focused for me…maybe it’s my monitor, but I dont’ think so since I use it to manipulate a lot of image files most weeks.
Would it be possible to have you retake the scenes? Check the white balance and make sure it is set for the type of lighting you are using. Add more light, maybe from a table lamp. And figure out how to get a sharp focus that has the rock faces razor sharp. From there, I can offer you some criticism or suggestions.
Otherwise, what I can make out looks okay. Maybe a bit more grey? Or, it might just be the white balance.
I think they look pretty good. When I started doing mine one of the things I read was “the more colours you use the better”. I noticed a vast improvement when I started dry brushing on a lot of different colours that you would find in Rocky Mountain granite. I also used lots of washes.
I dabbed spackle all over the foam to help roughen up the surface prior to painting and it made a big difference in the appearance. After painting I took really finely sifted dirt out of the yard and sprinkled it over the rock and let it fall where it may. I then lightly brushed the excess off with a 2" bristled paint brush. I then hit it with the glue. Next I repeated the the above process with ground foam.
I think the most important thing is the use of as many colours as possible. I bought about a dozen those $2.00 bottles of craft paint at Walmart for the job.
They look pretty good. As was noted, more color = better, then go over everything with a wash to blend things together. Finally, use a light-colored paint sparingly applied (maybe dry-brushed on) to highlight things that stick up.
Also consider you probably don’t want that to be solid rock. Consider adding some “dirt” or “turf” in level spots as would naturally occur around and about rock outcroppings. Those are also places where bushes or trees might grow, so can guide you in doing that – unless this is a desert location[C):-)]
From what I see in your pictures you’re getting there. I had a problem with rocks too.
My current layout is approaching 28 years old and I use High Output Fluorescent lighting so I can what I’m doing. One thing I didn’t expect is the light from the fluorescent lights fading my scenery as bad as it did. The rocks seem to be worse than the Woodland Scenics flocking. I used Plaster of Paris to make my rocks using WS molds then used WS Earth Colors to stain the rocks. Over the years the lighting has taken its toll on my scenery.
Luckily I didn’t seal all of my rocks and I’m gradually redoing the color. I was stuck with the rocks that I sealed because they wouldn’t accept the re-staining. I have gradually replaced most of the rocks that were sealed.
I though I’d pass on my bad experience about serious fading from the HO Fluorescent lights.
It might be the photo but they look a little to greenish to me.
Some, but not all, rock formations have parallel lines where different formations of rock have been lifted up. These layers can be at any angle you can imagine, so they don’t have to be parallel to the track.
I agree, they are a bit difficult to see, but rocks are difficult to criticize as there is so much variation in rocks. Look at and take photos of the rocks in the area you are modeling, then compare.
Adding scenery around them will also make a great difference in their appearance.
The rocks look nice, but the picture quality isn’t very high. You might consider using white with a thin-tip brush to highlight some changes in the rocks or a blend of different tan/beige shades.
Adding trees, bushes, or other types of scenery allows the eyes to wander across the layout instead of focusing on just one area.
