easy rock strata

[upnick]

Hi All,

I have got the backboard on board one covered in foam now and got carving the rockface started but how do you guys paint it i have tried a section with the airbrush with good results but i was thinking of drybrushing the details .... but the foam is delicate and will break off under the pressure of drybrushing.

Do you spray the rock once the first coat of paint is on with PVA/ white glue thinned to harden the surface ready for final painting ?

[Steve]

upnick...
I usually use 3 colors for rocks:

1. black...sprayed on first (making sure to completely cover the surface, especially any crevices)
2. dark/medium brown or gray (also sprayed on, very lightly, being careful not to completely cover the black)
3. lastly I use a lighter shade of the second color and dab it on with a sea sponge cut to the size of a quarter. Just dab it first on some newspaper or whatever else you have to get most of the paint off and then highlight the "rocks" with it. Make sure to turn the sponge as you go because the eye will pick up any repeating patterns.

In this pic you can see the light colored highlights that I dabbed on:



hope that helps

[upnick]

upnick...
I usually use 3 colors for rocks:

1. black...sprayed on first (making sure to completely cover the surface, especially any crevices)
2. dark/medium brown or gray (also sprayed on, very lightly, being careful not to completely cover the black)
3. lastly I use a lighter shade of the second color and dab it on with a sea sponge cut to the size of a quarter. Just dab it first on some newspaper or whatever else you have to get most of the paint off and then highlight the "rocks" with it. Make sure to turn the sponge as you go because the eye will pick up any repeating patterns.

In this pic you can see the light colored highlights that I dabbed on:



hope that helps

Hi Steve,

Great tips need to practice more with the airbrush now to get the effect Many thanks

[upnick]

Hi Steve,

Here is the result not finally finished yet thought i'd show you a picture though

[Steve]

Great job!
I see you are like me and like to do your learning on the layout as you go.
What are your plans to finish it off? Look for prototype pics of similar rock formations and how they blend in with the surrounding terrain.
http://www.shale-mudstone-research-schie...otos-1.htm
http://www.newarkcampus.org/professional...0Creek.htm

Also I look around the internet and find pics that show how other modelers or manufacturers have done it....

click on these pics....might give you some ideas
http://www.cripplebush.net/shale/shale_category.htm

I look forwaed to seeing more of your excellent progress!!!

[upnick]

Great job!
I see you are like me and like to do your learning on the layout as you go.
What are your plans to finish it off? Look for prototype pics of similar rock formations and how they blend in with the surrounding terrain.
http://www.shale-mudstone-research-schie...otos-1.htm
http://www.newarkcampus.org/professional...0Creek.htm

Also I look around the internet and find pics that show how other modelers or manufacturers have done it....

click on these pics....might give you some ideas
http://www.cripplebush.net/shale/shale_category.htm

I look forwaed to seeing more of your excellent progress!!!

Hi Steve,

Many thanks for the links given me plenty of ideas, i'm not sure how the rocks will turn out but i'll do pictures as they progress

[Steve]

You are welcome!
As long as you are having fun....you are doing it right!

[upnick]

You are welcome!
As long as you are having fun....you are doing it right!

Always have fun railroading Steve

[viperman]

Unfortunately, the original tut here by Steve won't work where I need to make a rock cut, but I am looking for similar methods that would work with the joint compound