My branch line runs close to the backdrop. When I placed some 1/87 Holsteins close to the backdrop, and the new, clean cows contrasted with the dirty cows in the backdrop. A wash of mud colored acrylic paint only took a few seconds for each cow.
And do not forget dark green at the back end[:D]
How utterly silly … [(-D]
Isn’t that “udderly” silly? [:-^]
I don’t have any cows on my layout, but I certainly weathered my pigs.
Very good point - and not only cows.
We carefully weather buildings, rolling stock, even roads and sidewalks - but how many of us have model scenes including ‘critters’ that all look like they’re ready for their close-up at the County Fair?
A horse under a working cowboy isn’t going to look freshly washed and combed like a Derby entry. Country dogs are covered with mud and brambles more often than not. As for wildlife, unless the ‘critter’ has just walked up a gravel bank after swimming a clear-water river or stream…
There is one dog which I plan to include in a very specific scene, at my smaller coal mine. His prototype, found at the prototype of that coal mine in 1959, wasn’t a Labrador, and definitely hadn’t been washed lately, but he sure was friendly. That’s how I ended up covered with coal dust…
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
It sounds like the dog “weathered” you.
I’ve weathered my sheep. Does this count? [:)]
Wolfgang
Range stock shouldn’t be shiny. At the very least, they should get a thin wash of India ink and perhaps some mud around the hoofs or maybe even to their bellies. Even these pampered milk cows aren’t shiny.
Mark
Interesting topic. When you think of it though, a lot of animals are dirty from running around in dirt all day.
Mr. B … Pigs? … I won’t squeel on you? … [swg]
Wolfgang … I like the sheep. Your locos need a sheep catcher instead of a cow catcher. [:)]
Mark … Your photo helps, thanks.
Everybody … Thanks for your thoughts.
It’s not always a question of being dirty. For example, I weather my human figures, usually with a little powdered charcoal followed by a spray of flat finish. I’m not trying to make them look dirty, just tone down the shinyness of the paint on them and to bring out the “shadows” - i.e., help emphasize folds in their clothes etc.
Take a look at the August 2010 RMC for an example of someone weathering people.
Also don’t forget cattle cars if you have any. There is a farmers livestock exchange in the area where I live. There is an auction every Monday and the trucks hauling the cattle have their sides well decorated with you know what.
I would assume this applies to rail cars as well.
Happy Railroading
Bob
This post is being milked for all it’s worth. Mark, before I even new the dairy picture was posted by you I thought that sure looks like California out in the west Sacramento Valley.
The author also weathered cows (and deer) in the article… [:D]
It’s at the southeastern end of Sonoma Valley, California maybe 3 miles or so north of San Pablo Bay. The dairy farm (Sleepy Hollow) is becoming surrounded by the southward expansion of vineyards.
Near me is a place that happens to sell life-size plastic (I think they are plastic) cows. They used to have them behind a fence looking out exactly like a cow might. Driving by, you could only tell they were fake by one thing - they were too clean! Definitely weather that livestock!
–Randy
Clean cows are supposed to make more milk, right? So keeping them clean could produce more traffic.
But then having all the cows clean is a bit unrealistic and cowntradictory. A paradox perhaps?
Garry:
Seriously, buddy, I almost fell of the chair laughing at the topic, then I got curious. I’ve got some cattle just off high-country pasture at Wagon Wheel Gap paitiently waiting for the train that’s going to pick them up and take them down to winter pasture in the foothills. So I went out and looked at them.
Holy COW, to coin a phrase, they’re SHINY! Stupid little detail I completely overlooked![:O]
So thanks for the topic. Tomorrow is india wash and dullcote. Who’da THUNK?
Tom [:D]
Tom W … Good to see you! … My stock yard at the meat packing plant has one of those electronic sound effect thingees, and it makes cattle mooing sounds… It’s a hit with guests. … (Keeps them distracted while I rerail a train that never derails when I have no guests. [:-^])
My limited but many decades of experiences has brought me to the conclusion that livestock don’t make much noise except when they’re doing something they don’t want.
Mark