I just finished my benchwork last week, my backdrop is primed and I am starting to mount it, and wanting to paint it. I have a question for the group. I overheard a heated discussion regarding detail on backdrops. One idea is to make it as simple as possible with NO clouds, trees, hills, houses, etc. since they can only be viewed perpendicular to the layout or else they look "funny". The other school of thought is to include clouds, trees etc. I know that it is a personal issue and that you don't want too much detail, but what are most of you doing? I had planned on painting clouds, basic background hills, trees etc. Now I am not so sure. Thanks for your thoughts.

-Glenn

Hi Totomac,
My son and I have a large layout (30 x 45) with a 28 ft by 12 ft yard off on a right angle. The layout varies from 36 inch to 48 inch off the floor. We had three major areas to have some kind of backdrops. The 45 ft side only needed a 30 ft backdrop because of sump pump enclosure and other reasons. On that wall we had a photograph of Yosemite printed on wall paper, covering one 30 ft end and about 30 ft of back wall. The wall paper went from platform level to ceiling. The layout scenery blended right into the backdrop very nicely. In another area we had a distant photo of Denver's skylight as a backdrop. The 28ft yard had a photo wall paper of downtown Salt Lake City as a backdrop. This blended in with the yard almost as an extension of the yard scenery. My point is that all these bacdrops have much detail and if you plan what goes on the layout in front to them, it can be very rewarding. We also had most of the layout constructed before we had the backdrops up and the backdrop changed the entire look of the layout. It gave it depth & purpose. I do not reccomend photographic wall paper unless you have deep pocket. I do think that similar effects can be achieved much cheaper.
Frank Arbaugh

The best route to take, in my PERSONAL opinion, is to keep it VERY simple, or go with a commercially printed backdrop. I've seen a number of layouts featured in the magazines that had fabulous scenics, but had "hand done" backdrop artwork that "killed" the overall effect for me. Often it was noted that the artwork was done by a "talented" wife/freind/etc.
I have a degree from the University of the Arts in Phila., and believe me, I would'nt even attempt anything but the most simple backdrop. Yes, I've seen some very well done examples (Eric Hoffberg's layout being one), so please don't start beating me over the head.
One last thought...If you want a painted one, I think it best if you do it yourself. That way, if you don't like it, you can paint over it. Not easy to tell someone else that you don't like it. Joe

On a related note- does anyone use mirrored backdrops. My layout is against the wall, and I thought that using a long mirror might allow the back of buildings and other scenery to be visible. I know it might not be the most realistic, but that's not my intention on the layout anyway.

Bob

Sometimes a simpler background focuses the viewer's attention on the layout, not the artwork...

I used a simple blue sky color with some green blotches in this image:



Rand

quote:

Originally posted by SoCalStu:
Sometimes a simpler background focuses the viewer's attention on the layout, not the artwork...

The clouds looks as though they were done with a stencil. Did you make the stencils or were they bought somewhere? It looks really good.

quote:

Originally posted by totomac:
One idea is to make it as simple as possible with NO clouds, trees, hills, houses, etc. since they can only be viewed perpendicular to the layout or else they look "funny".

I like the hazy sky look so the backdrop just sorta fades out of mind. Photo backdrops usually draw attention to themselves instead of the trains. I guess one could put up the photos then airbrush them till they fade away?

quote:

The clouds looks as though they were done with a stencil. Did you make the stencils or were they bought somewhere? It looks really good.

Some were done with stencils from www.newlondonindustries.com. Others I just free-handed with spray cans of flat white and grey.

I used stencils from New London Industries when I painted my background.

IMHO easiest and quickest way is coluds and sky. Too many folks go too bright with the blue and it zaps your eyeballs. Go to Walmart or such and grab a handful of varied blue color samples for a low cost flat wall paint.
Take em home and decide.
Then get a quart mixed, and also get a quart of white.
Once home, get roller and pan out, and paint away your blues!
Do ONLY aboutr a 3 x 6 foot section,
Let it dry overnight
then eyeball it.
If too dark, add some of that white.
repeat next to it.
This time use about a 1.5" brush and try adding somewhite sections of the topmost clouds.
Leeave it be a day
etc
etc

Rotsa Ruck.

Lars

You CAN do it. but maybe you CANT be an artist and do trees, landscapes, et al. Sky and clouds YES

Check out blue walls white cloouds at
my Album page
http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/forums?a=albumtopic&TOPI...81036674&f=453102703

L