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Tips for Creating Background Scenery

Background scenery enhances a model railroad. It’s better to leave it for the end because it’s easier to visualize the picture once all the 3d structures and models have been put up. Although, in saying that, you will need easy access to work on the background. You may choose to draw anything on the backdrop but a few points should be followed in all cases.

>>> The horizon line should be painted low to give a more natural effect.
>>> Paint the background images first and then put in the foreground details. This gives a 3d effect.
>>> Objects which are closer should be drawn larger.
>>> If the backdrop is close to the trains, add details. If it’s far, keep the image blurry and smudged.

2 Responses to Tips for Creating Background Scenery

  • Rick haugh says:

    Lightly cruppled aluminum foil painted flat or satin black
    Works nice for a look of cut rock inside of a tunnel. Gives
    A realistic appearance to tunnels that can be seen into
    by people viewing the layout. Strong and cheap to make.

  • Kevin Ching says:

    I have not finnished my layout but I have added some curved cardboard to the ceiling and walls of 15inch radias so that the sky painting comes down to the scenery line on the mountains etc. I still have the distant mountains to paint with trees etc but these will be just a bulk painting to respresent the trees and not individual trees. These mountains are being painted in grey and blues to add distance to the scene I also do not have the closer hills finishing at the wall instead they drop down so that you cannot see the definate line where one starts and the other ends. I hope this helps, happy modelling.

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