Sid, that third picture down really gives an overall 'blend' of the backdrop.  I know you didn't use any forced perspective,
but with the thin false front buildings, and tapering distant landscape painted backdrop, it just looks like everything
belongs exactly where it is.  Nice job !

Thanks for the pics.

Ken

Jonathan,

I live along the Mississippi and this is what it looks like after the flood waters recede.  The trees are
leafed out, but the ground brush having been completed submerged, hasn't come back yet.  What ever dead
fall that didn't drift away simply dropped back to the ground a few feet from where it was lifted by the flood waters.

You nailed it !

Thanks

Ken

Nice !  While the glue/water mixture is still wet you can add a little sprinkle of debris and you
won't have to 'dullcoat' it.  Can't wait to see the "dried" shots.

Thanks for the pics.

Ken

Here's an update of a little more progress on the new tunnel portals I've been working on.
This is the lower side of the tunnel.



...and the upper end.



Another view showing a little higher elevations.  For ballast I use crushed black walnut shells.
You can get from your local arms dealer, and they're used for polishing brass cartridges.



And, the best part is cost and it comes in ten pound boxes.

Here's a shot of the overall mining district/area.  The part where the cardboard is will eventually
be a slope where a stamp mill will be installed.



Last but not least, water under the bridge.



As always, more to follow...

Ken

You guys have heard of Bald Cyprus leaves, haven't you ?



...or even just crumpled up dead leaves...



You can even put them in a blender to get them really 'fine'.

Jonathan that's outstanding.  I couldn't have done better at carving than that.  I've learned that it's better to 'angle off' the corners to fit between adjacent sections of scenery.  You can still 'break off' the lower corners to fit it between two hills or the uppers corners to fit it between two valleys.

Maybe you should do a tutorial.

Ken

I'm still amazed at how everything just keeps blending together.
One of these days I'll get an engine house and cram it in somewhere.
That last shot is especially appealing.

Keep up the momentum.

Thanks for the pics,

Ken

Those trees are beautiful.  Especially the variety !  A little dead fall will be the icing on the cake.

Ken

Sid, love that train of train parts !  Like a commodity train....
That's really some nice detail work.  I still have my first
Roundhouse Shay kit I built back in the early 80's.  For the first year and a half of my 'railroading' that
was my only motive power.  Then I got married and my wife bought me a Mantua Mikado for our first
Christmas together...I was on board ever since.

And, as they say, the rest is history.

Thanks for putting all the pics and keep them coming...

Ken

First get some old ceiling tile and break them apart.  Stack them together and paint with a thick coat
of latex/acrylic paint.



Cast an RTV mold of it.



Make plaster copies and color with your favorite earth tone



Here's a close-up:



Enjoy,
Ken

Thought I'd just start a new string every time I put something up because of 'time expired' issue I get using Facebook
as my photo host.

First up, remake of older trestle and tunnel portal.





...A lot more blending in to do...

Here's one behind this trestle.



I made the rock formations using crumpled up aluminum foil as a plaster mold.
Nobody goes back there anymore.

Here's an abandoned stamp mill...got closed down...



Since the shutdown, the wildlife has started to return.



...and here's one for Terry...



Thanks for looking.

Ken

Thanks Johathan for all the pictures you (and Sid too) have been putting up.  That's the reason I haven't
been posting anything.  I get soooo busy and absorbed in all these nice pictures that I get distracted. 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it !

Mostly I've been reworking some scenery on my old trestle, it just didn't sit right.  The approach to the
trestle 'banked' to the right a little and it was only a matter of time before an entire train came tumbling
down.

Terry:  I've got a Bachmann coach and a combine.  I repainted the combine and the truss rods seem to
           'shrink' a bit in appearance because of the 'flat' paint.  They fit in with the timeline of my layout.

Keep up the good work everybody and keep putting more pics so all of us who are quarantined can sit
back and watch.

Ken

Looking good Jonathan.  Keep it up.

Thanks for all the pictures.  I haven't even started to consider where or what
my control panel is going to look like.  But, every time you and Sid put up more
pictures...well....

Ken

Sid,
      this is really looking better and better each time you update.  The way you 'blend' in with the background is
makes me wish I'd have spent more time on my background.  It really gives a sense of depth.  And now I see how
I'm going to add my fascia, which brings me to a question:  What material are you using ?  I was thinking about
that green looking ping pong table looking stuff.

Keep going, what else is there to do during 'Social Distancing' anyway ?

Ken

That 'mountain pass' scene would be the perfect place for a 'rail fan' lookout.  With all that work
you've been doing, the landscaping makes everything look a lot bigger now.  I'm lovin' it !  How
'long' is that bottom level ?

Thanks for the pics.

Ken