Adding the Finishing Touch to Your Model Train Scenery
As you begin to decorate and furnish your landscape you will probably find that you are already becoming something of a perfectionist when it comes to your model.
Don't be put off if family members have begun to use the term OCD when describing you.
They just don't understand! Finishing touches to the design are important.
If you are spending time and money creating a whole new world in miniature, you'll want to do a good job.
If you are already an incredible painter and artist you can of course use watercolours and other paints to decorate the backdrop to your model.
However there are a number of products that you might want to consider using to add to the final effect.
Once you have your landscape planned, think about the surfaces you can create.
Grass, tarmac, water and rock, to name a few, are some surfaces you might consider.
Whatever the surface, it's worth applying a layer of undercoat to the areas that you want to decorate.
Over time some coverings chip or fall away, they can be replaced easily, but an undercoat will mean that the overall look of the model remains sound until these repairs can be completed.
To use grass as an example there are a number of methods to create this effect.
Unless your model has a completely urban setting - expensive even for a moderate sized base - you will probably want to cover large areas with grass.
There are three main methods you can use.
The simplest 'grass' is made of felt and comes in sheet form.
You can simply cut and stick this material to the areas as required.
It has the advantage of being hard wearing, though it tends to be uniform, and lacks some of the realism you may be seeking.
Scatterings are widely used in modelling; they are small granules of different colours and can be used for most purposes.
A layer of glue needs to be applied to the surface and then scatterings carefully, well, scattered! Less hard wearing but perhaps more realistic than the Felt option, this is a good choice for beginners.
Finally, for the expert modeller and ultimate perfectionist is 'Static Grass'.
This is a three dimensional product, similar to scatter, yet much more realistic.
Glue again is applied to the surface area and using a specialist 'puffer', the material is distributed on the surface, building up layers to create the final stunning effect.
A combination of the latter two methods will be highly effective and will provide a realistic and stunning finish.
Don't be put off if family members have begun to use the term OCD when describing you.
They just don't understand! Finishing touches to the design are important.
If you are spending time and money creating a whole new world in miniature, you'll want to do a good job.
If you are already an incredible painter and artist you can of course use watercolours and other paints to decorate the backdrop to your model.
However there are a number of products that you might want to consider using to add to the final effect.
Once you have your landscape planned, think about the surfaces you can create.
Grass, tarmac, water and rock, to name a few, are some surfaces you might consider.
Whatever the surface, it's worth applying a layer of undercoat to the areas that you want to decorate.
Over time some coverings chip or fall away, they can be replaced easily, but an undercoat will mean that the overall look of the model remains sound until these repairs can be completed.
To use grass as an example there are a number of methods to create this effect.
Unless your model has a completely urban setting - expensive even for a moderate sized base - you will probably want to cover large areas with grass.
There are three main methods you can use.
The simplest 'grass' is made of felt and comes in sheet form.
You can simply cut and stick this material to the areas as required.
It has the advantage of being hard wearing, though it tends to be uniform, and lacks some of the realism you may be seeking.
Scatterings are widely used in modelling; they are small granules of different colours and can be used for most purposes.
A layer of glue needs to be applied to the surface and then scatterings carefully, well, scattered! Less hard wearing but perhaps more realistic than the Felt option, this is a good choice for beginners.
Finally, for the expert modeller and ultimate perfectionist is 'Static Grass'.
This is a three dimensional product, similar to scatter, yet much more realistic.
Glue again is applied to the surface area and using a specialist 'puffer', the material is distributed on the surface, building up layers to create the final stunning effect.
A combination of the latter two methods will be highly effective and will provide a realistic and stunning finish.
