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Friday, August 28, 2015

Backdrop Completed | 15 Comments - Click Here :

    Darel Leedy -  Over the course of the last couple of months, my friend Don Peterson and I spent a few Friday nights working to complete the backdrop which surrounds Dickey. I'll let the pictures do the talking (those of you who read via email will have to bring up the blog to read the captions):

Looking north (westward by timetable).

Looking south (eastward by timetable).


Before Don arrived, my first step was to project the photos I had taken in December of 2012, when the drought level
of Dillon Reservoir had receded enough to expose Dickey.

I also projected an image I had made from Google Earth. I was amazed at how closely the two images compared!
I then traced the images onto the entire backdrop.

Don then worked his magic paint brushes, and the results make it feel like standing in Dickey a hundred years ago.

Here, Don does his most favorite thing in the world, Lol. We took the suggestion of Mike Danneman, and started
by painting the backdrop the same color as used for the scenic base.

The same procedure of projecting slides was used for the entire backdrop.

The completed south end of Dickey.

With the backdrop finished, its time to get this train rolling, and start on some real scenery.
 A huge thank you to Don for his time and talent. Even if it will cost me some DCC installs. Thanks buddy!

Darel Leedy
15 Comments - Click Here :
  1. HeislerAugust 28, 2015 at 2:17 PM

    Looks impressive Darel, well done!

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  2. Charles WestonAugust 29, 2015 at 9:17 AM

    Really looking good!

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  3. Mark LewisAugust 29, 2015 at 2:38 PM

    Great execution- looks great.

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  4. AnonymousAugust 29, 2015 at 3:30 PM

    It makes a big difference, doesn't it Darel. You should share your thinking on a painted backdrop versus a photo.

    Keith Hayes
    Leadville in Sn3

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    Replies
    1. Darel LeedyAugust 31, 2015 at 10:42 AM

      Yes it does make a big difference Keith. I can only say that I prefer to view handcrafted models as art, and that they look better when placed in a scene also composed of handcrafted art. A "realistic" photo backdrop only reinforces that fact that the art is not "realistic". If that makes any sense. Just my own opinion.

      Delete
  5. Don PetersonAugust 29, 2015 at 8:57 PM

    Thanks for posting the pictures Darel. Had fun painting it for ya. Was kinda like old times working on my South Park layout. We were a little younger then. I had a little more hair too.

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    1. Darel LeedyAugust 31, 2015 at 10:50 AM

      I remember those days! We're looking a little grey now too.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousAugust 30, 2015 at 8:29 AM

    Very, very nice work and addition to your layout. I too, would like to know your thoughts on painted backdrops vs photo generated backdrops. I'm always impressed by the significant impact a well executed backdrop contributes to layouts and yours accomplishes so very well. Thanks for sharing and compliments to Don on his work. I look forward to your progress.

    Lee Gustafson

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    Replies
    1. Darel LeedyAugust 31, 2015 at 10:54 AM

      Thanks for your comments Lee! See my comments in my reply to Keith regarding backdrops.
      Click on the Dickey tab under the main header, and compare the difference. Its night and day for sure.

      Delete
  7. Robert McFarlandSeptember 1, 2015 at 12:12 AM

    That is an Excellent job.I liked the way you used projected photos to line up the backdrop before painting it,Could something be done to mask the corners?

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  8. Darel LeedySeptember 1, 2015 at 8:52 AM

    Thanks for the kind words Robert. The corners don't concern me as they are not evident while I am operating.

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 1, 2015 at 9:55 PM

    Darel,

    What is the "log building" that appears in the next to last photo that is titled "the completed south end of Dickey" Would you consider doing a series on Dickey the way Harry Brunk did the Clear Cleek series?

    Lee Gustafson

    ReplyDelete

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