Backdrop tests

1583 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by twinkle, Nov 23, 2006

mikelhh

Discussion Starter · Nov 22, 2006 (Edited by Moderator)

I've been experimenting with different backdrops for my layout. Here are 2 pics of the same area with totally different backscenes. I hope someone finds it interesting.
The first one has the original trial backdrop which really doesn't add much to the overall scene, although it's better than nothing .

The 2nd one has the new experimental backscene. I made some sort of an effort to match the foreground colours without being fanatical about it, and where I thought of it I kept the edges soft. Colours used were one red, one yellow and one blue [acrylic] with artist's gesso for the white. I don't like the sagging hill and will probably make it peak in the middle when I get around to doing it properly. It's possible that the new backscene competes a little with the foreground, so i'll make sure the finished thing is as simple as possible - it was only meant as a quick trial.
Mike

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7113

· #2 · Nov 22, 2006

QUOTE (mikelhh @ 22 Nov 2006, 12:32) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The 2nd one has the new experimental backscene. Mike

I like the second one...it adds depth and I think the "sag" emphasises and enhances the bridge.

Keep up the good work!

Regards

John

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Doug

· #3 · Nov 22, 2006

Very good. Having some more middle ground trees and foliage (if you can fit them in) helps break up any glaring differences between the foreground and the background.

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dwb

· #4 · Nov 22, 2006

Version 2 looks fine to me and the dip in the hills suggests that's where the stream came from.

David

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dooferdog

· #5 · Nov 22, 2006

I disagree. The background in the first picture does nothing to distract your eyes from the fine modelling and the superb water scene. As a watercolourist I appreciate the effort applied to the lower picture, but it doesn't recede enough . If it's not to be your final effort, try a very thin wash of opaque white medium across the whole thing and photograph it again. I wish I could model water that well.

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neil_s_wood

· #6 · Nov 22, 2006

I like version two as well. Big sky is only really appropriate in the US mid west or Australia.

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Brian Considine

· #7 · Nov 22, 2006

version 2 for me as well - just think it looks better !

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mikelhh

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 22, 2006 (Edited by Moderator)

Thankyou for the replies.
John and David - my wife agrees with you - [how did you manage that?] - I might eventually go with that skyline.
Doug - good point about the trees. I can and will fit a few more in.
Doofer - I agree it looks a bit close, but it was a quick job. That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.

Thanks for the good suggestion. I need a biggish hill because I have a raised area to the left and the low horizon just didn't work with it. The trick will be keeping it back far enough. I'm a professional artist - working in oil and acrylic - so I look forward to tackling that.
Neil - that's a good point about the big sky. I hadn't thought of it that way before, but I think you're right on the money.
Brian - you just posted ahead of me. thanks.
Thankyou all again.
Mike

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Peter_Harvey

· #9 · Nov 23, 2006

The second one is the best all though it dose show up that the bridge is well out of scale.

Pete

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mikelhh

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 23, 2006

The second one is the best all though it dose show up that the bridge is well out of scale.

Pete

Not that I doubt your word, Pete, because I'm no engineer, but what is it that makes you say that? If you can suggest ways to improve it I'm all ears.
Mike

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Peter_Harvey

· #11 · Nov 23, 2006

Well if you look at the first picture the top of the Girder bridge side shoud be above the gards van roof rather than harf way up the side and would probably go from river bank to river bank.
I suspect the the Girder bridge side you have there are some 2mm/foot "N" rather than 4mm/foot "OO" peco probably I'm sure that some one here can find another picture example of a "OO" girder bridge.

Thats all but thats my opinion if you happy with it who cares what anyone else thinks.

Pete

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7113

· #12 · Nov 23, 2006

QUOTE (Peter_Harvey @ 23 Nov 2006, 12:46) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thats all but thats my opinion if you happy with it who cares what anyone else thinks.

Pete

I see nothing wrong with the bridge, it doesn't have to be above the brake van roof. There are many examples of this type of bridge in the UK and probably elsewhere. One question though Pete, how do you get your cows to move?

Regards

john

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twinkle

· #13 · Nov 23, 2006

i think the 2nd one looks much better

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