I was asked to explain how I created the snow on my British layout Husdon road.
Since this was the single-most-asked question I get at exhibitions, I decided to build a diorama to show how the snow effect was achieved.
the first stage shows the track laid onto cork tiles, glued and pinned.
Stage 2 has the scenic formers glued in place, in this case expanded polystyrene ceiling tiles.
The formers are then covered in plaster bandage ('Mod-Roc', in the UK) - stage 3
Stage 5 is to cover the plaster hills with ground cover, grass, shrubs and various scatter materials. some of the deeper undulations have been filled with 'Das' modelling clay to represent deeper snow.
Only at stage 6 is the ballast applied to ensure the edges meet up convincingly with the ground cover.
Now it's time to 'lay' the snow. I covered everything with a coat of white undercoat paint - an oil-based paint used underneath gloss paint - and when dry, repainted in white emulsion - the water-based stuff you use on the walls - stage 7.
Finally, the scene is finished (stage 8) by painting the rail sides brown/rust colour, the bushes brown - especially underneath the bush - and all walls, trees and fences with a darker-than-normal shade of brown, than you would expect. This is because, in real life, the eye is tricked into believing the colours are darker than normal because of the whiteness of the snow.
Finally, I sprinkle glitter powder - the type sold as cake decoration and edible over the snow to represent the sparkle of fresh snow. You have to be careful with this stuff cos it gets everywhere and can make you look like a refugee from the 70's disco scene.
I hope this encourages some of you to have a go at snow.
Jon
Since this was the single-most-asked question I get at exhibitions, I decided to build a diorama to show how the snow effect was achieved.
the first stage shows the track laid onto cork tiles, glued and pinned.
Stage 2 has the scenic formers glued in place, in this case expanded polystyrene ceiling tiles.
The formers are then covered in plaster bandage ('Mod-Roc', in the UK) - stage 3
Stage 5 is to cover the plaster hills with ground cover, grass, shrubs and various scatter materials. some of the deeper undulations have been filled with 'Das' modelling clay to represent deeper snow.
Only at stage 6 is the ballast applied to ensure the edges meet up convincingly with the ground cover.
Now it's time to 'lay' the snow. I covered everything with a coat of white undercoat paint - an oil-based paint used underneath gloss paint - and when dry, repainted in white emulsion - the water-based stuff you use on the walls - stage 7.
Finally, the scene is finished (stage 8) by painting the rail sides brown/rust colour, the bushes brown - especially underneath the bush - and all walls, trees and fences with a darker-than-normal shade of brown, than you would expect. This is because, in real life, the eye is tricked into believing the colours are darker than normal because of the whiteness of the snow.
Finally, I sprinkle glitter powder - the type sold as cake decoration and edible over the snow to represent the sparkle of fresh snow. You have to be careful with this stuff cos it gets everywhere and can make you look like a refugee from the 70's disco scene.
I hope this encourages some of you to have a go at snow.
Jon
Thanks Jon, that is a big help for the snow people. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: