This is my first attempt at rack wall and the bottom is going to be a lake.
There are several pictures I would love thoughts on the overall look and if someone has thoughts about the lake bottom please do i am not to enthused with it currently

Before


After






Thanks. Brian

It looks good so far. Are you going to get one of those "real water" kits?

Yes i am going to use a realistic water. It looks too a mess for me or something.

Would giving it a wash help or no?

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....bboots, The good thing about paint is, If you make a mistake, or just want to do things over, just repaint .
.....I think it may be better if you give everything a base coat of the same color. Say, grey or brown.
..... Then some washes of other shades.
..... Finally,some guys use white paint as a last highlight color, just barely on the tips of the rock surface. [dry brushing] Good luck, and dont forget to have fun!

Perhaps what you're seeing is too many colors. Looks like you're mixing sandstone with granite. This is a waterfall I did in a different scale that may be helpful to you:

bboots , just some advice purchase Dave Frary's how to make realistic scenery book , you will find all the answers to your questions , I read it over and over. It work for me. Good luck bobby

I am definitely repainting the upper rocks the bottom is better i believe after a little paint this evening.

I can't tell which of the two lighter colors i have is right or i need the oine in between which i have to buy.
Thanks for suggestions. I have yet to do any washes on hydrocal anything i need to be careful of or is just a i/a wash the way to go

You have a good start. With a wash you begin light and work your way to your base color. I put the color on with a small wet sponge dabbed lightly in the paint. Any wash you apply now will darken what you have and may blend the colors nicely. Experiment!. If it comes out less than what you wanted you can always repaint over it. A lot of us have learned by trial and error.

Yeah i am not sure what to do just yet. I think a repaint may be in order but not sure with what color. I think the gray is too much and makes it look like i was drunk or something and this time i swear i wasn't.

So for a wash you would suggest a water downed version of one of my colors or just a india ink and alcohol wash?

I'm not sure what area you are trying to depict. East would be more granite grey colors, west would be more of a sandstone tan. You could try the wash and see if you like the result. If not, get some free paint chips at a home center and hold them up to get an idea. A grey similar to your retaining walls may look natural.

As mentioned above, an earthtone wash is a good way to achieve color. Raw plaster will take on a wash very well. The wash will highlight contours and features and the color will build up gradually.

There are many techniques but I have a hard time toning down paint. For me it is easier to build up the white plaster. Experiment and chose what is best for you.

Jeff's tip on highlighting with white will also bring your rocks to life.

Dave

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......bboots, also keep a spray bottle of just clear water handy. You can use it like an eraser. A couple of drops of regular dish soap in the water will make the water drops more in scale. It wont tend to bead up w/the dish soap in it. Us scenery guys call this "wet water". We use it all the time.

Well alright i think i have broken down and i am going to paint it all one color either light grey or one of the lighter browns that i have and then just start doing washes until its right. I looked at it for awhile and now I am completely annoyed with the top. the water will be fine the top is a mess.
Thanks for everyones thoughts.
I think I want a contrast to the brick wall next to it who knows.

Oh yeah. does anyone have just a blue backdrop without clouds?