Ned’s been back in touch with his take on realistic rock models for model railroad:
“Alastair,
Some folks asked for the process I use for creating my rock ledges. Here is the process I use. Comments and recommendations are welcome – I am always looking for ways to improve the process.
1. Using 1” insulating foam board create a vertical wall for gluing layers of foam board.
2. Create layers of foam board utilizing 1”, 1.5” and 2” foam board roughly shaped using my table saw and band saw. I use a combination of hot glue and Elmers White glue to glue the foam board.
3. Start creating layered rock with a wire bow hot foam cutter. I make striated layers, about 1/4” deep of non- parallel lines.
4. Make additional striations with a carpet knife. The carpet knife is very sharp but creates a much rougher cut than the hot wire cutter. I also use the carpet knife to texture areas of the foam that could not be reached with the hot knife.
5. Rough/age the rock ledges with a wire brush. This softens the edges and pulls out some of the foam loosened by cutting.
6. Create water flow paths down through the foam to break up some of the horizontal runs and show erosion.
7. Vacuum out as much of the loose foam as possible.
8. Paint a base color with an airbrush. In this case I used a Stone color for the base layer. Note that my local hardware store sells gray foam insulation so a primer coat has not been necessary.
9. Add accent colors, again with the air brush, using Black, Burnt Umber and Yellow Ocher. I often mix some white with the Yellow Ocher and a touch of Black with the Burnt Umber to achieve the tones I desire. The black is applied in the deeper crevices, the Burnt Umber in areas I believe would have soil and the Yellow Ocher as a very light tone in the stone and as a base color with the Burnt Umber as a base for grass and bushes. Dry brush with white and very light grey to accent the sun exposed rock edges.
10. Plant grass and bushes.
Enjoy!
Ned”
A huge big thanks to Ned for sharing his realistic rock models for model railroad technique.
Ned’s previous post is here: Model railroad backdrops.
And some other posts that may help:
How to build realistic rock formations.
That’s all for this time folks.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you get started on your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.
Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.
