I was looking at some pictures taken of my layout and have decided that it is time to start increasing the level of detail painted on the backdrop. I have some art training but I notice that I have tended to make my backdrops in the past too detailed and it distracts from the models. Before I start this project, I would like to see some examples of what other people’s shelf layout backdrops look like, especially those with Eastern / Appalachian area themes. Any websites that have good examples of their painted backdrops that you could direct me to? Thanks - Nevin
Hi Nevin;
If you have XP, search for “blue hills.jpg”. If not, e-mail me, and I send it to you.
I’m not an artist, but I’ve had success to my satisfaction by taking an impressionist approach, rather than trying for too much detail. Sorry I don’t have pics, and I haven’t figured how to put them up here anyway, but you will I think, understand what I mean.
Fuzzy is beautiful.
Der5997 makes a good point as the back drops in MR are more in the distance and show if no detail just impressions. My backdrops are of clouds, nothing exact but mostly grey white strokes blended into the blue.
My backdrop is just blue Masonite right now. I did kind of fade the color with white spray paint (my layout is set in deep summer, when there typically isn’t even a wisp of cloud for weeks at a time.)
Most of the backdrop will be half-flat or flat buildings and trees, with a few photos (taken from the prototype) pasted in between. I’m not quite sure how I’m going to disguise all the joints in the layout between the photo and the road (having roads run directly into the backdrop was unavoidable) other than having a few vehicle models going to and fro across various grade crossings.