13 replies to this topic

[jmswms]

slots, on Jul 8 2008, 02:40 PM, said:

I want a blow by blow on creating those rock walls. Can you please?

Alright Slots, here's a little more detail with my recent work, which is probably some of the best work that I've done yet. (Practice helps). Here are the basic steps.

First, I like to use rock molds. The better the molds, the better the result. I'm using a new rock mold from Bragdon Enterprises. If you look around the internet, you'll probably find others. (Don't necessarily be satisfied with Woodland Scenic molds). Here are the stages.

(1) I first put up the aluminum screen. Then I apply the wet plaster/Hydrocal directly to the aluminum screen so that it bends and takes a nice organic shape.


(2) Then I have to fill in the "holes" with pieces of the dry cast mold. I use "Sculptamold" as the glue and filler to hold it all together, and it looks something like this.


(3) Then I add some paint. I start with watered down black acyrlic paint as the base color. I blend in raw umber, raw sienna while the black base it still a little wet. Then I "dry brush" the slightly wet paint several times with white to lighten and blend the colors. When it's dry, then I dry brush again with white to add highlights.

[slots]

How wet is the plaster mix? Semi dry or a little runny?

[jmswms]

slots, on Jul 18 2008, 10:28 PM, said:

How wet is the plaster mix? Semi dry or a little runny?

It's a bit runny. You wait until a minute or two after you pour it into the mold until it's beginning to hardened a bit, but still wet and attach it to the scenery. You have to sit and hold it in place about 5 minutes until it sets up a bit further, then leave it there for an hour or so until it's hard enough to pull off the mold. Hydrocal works better than plaster; it has a high "green strength" (i.e., early hardness), and won't chip easily if cars hit the rocks.

[knoath]

Hey Bill, how many different molds went into making that wall? Is it just one, using different parts of it, or a few molds?

[jmswms]

knoath, on Jul 19 2008, 03:44 AM, said:

Hey Bill, how many different molds went into making that wall? Is it just one, using different parts of it, or a few molds?

Just one mold, cast three times. It's a larger mold. Sometimes I'll just use part of the mold. I try to do a large part by applying the wet plaster/hydrocal in the mold directly to the scenery. Then I have to fill in using pieces. So this wall was done with three casts--two applied directly to the scenery, and one done on the bench and removed. To fill in, I will break and carve the flat bench cast into appropriate sized pieces and then "glue" them in using Scultamold, which binds the pieces in place and fills the cracks.

This, for example, is one cast, but I've already begun to fill in the spaces. If you look carefully, you can see the seams on the top. I trim the original cast in straight lines (following the natural seams of the rock cast), and trim new pieces to fit in the same way. You can see some of the leftover bits of cast rock that I've using to fill in lying in front of the rock wall. On the bottom, I've already filled in the little gaps with small broken bits of cast plaster and Sculptamold.

Edited by jmswms, 21 July 2008 - 01:12 AM.

[KarKraft]

Thanks for the post Bill.

Not many people into posting scenery on here, so it's great to share ideas and experiences.

[jmswms]

There are always seams and "mistakes" when I'm doing rock walls/cliff faces. So, as part of the detailing, I'll use bushes and vines to cover the seams and imperfections. Here's some further detailing of the project.

First the general view before detailing...


Then some added green at the bottom. In addition to adding general grass, bushes and vines all around, I'm covering up some of the seams between the rock wall and cliff face.



At the top of the hill climb, you go through the tunnel and come out with some snow. My first attempt at it. Snow pretty much covers all imperfections. This snow is done with acrylic gloss medium mixed with white paint which is dabbed on, then some Woodland Scenics "Snow" is sprinkled on top.

[SlotsNZ]

Heya Bill

welcome aboard the "Down Under Express" I've been away a few weeks, and only just noticed your touch-down.

Great to see you sharing your marvelous scenery skills here as well as our "other place"

Mark

[KarKraft]

Terrific stuff!

I expect to see a miniature Jeremy Clarkson at the bottom, telling the TV how he will race some adventure-climber to the top of the summit in a Cooper S!

[jmswms]

I thought I'd post a summary of "those rock walls" and the track in general now that it's almost complete. I must thank again "Toy Tech", as well as "mtpanorama" and "johno", who contributed much to the completion of this track. I've only got two buildings left now-- a chalet at the top and a gantry (w/ timing) at the bottom.

[knoath]

Much head shaking going on here Bill.

[Cleveland]

My hats off to you jmswms, That is some of the best work I have ever seen... .

[gref]

Cleveland, on Sep 30 2008, 10:30 PM, said:

My hats off to you jmswms, That is some of the best work I have ever seen... .

I will echo that!

[slots]

Now THAT is a creation. Cleve beat me to it though. Hat's off.