Scenery & Dioramas

[Podartist79]

I keep reading about ”Chinchilla dust/grit” and went out to buy some to play with, and found it to be rather expensive sand. I presume this is something different?

if so, what? and do we have a brand or preferred source?

Simon, it’s finer than any sand I’ve found, and as a result of its role, soaking up Chinchilla ‘mess’ it’s slightly absorbent, which can be handy.

 

[jonte]

Really interesting methods Jonte.
Thanks for posting.

Thanks, Neil

The benefit of this method is that it obviates the need for additional work in the form of blending, or at least I’ve found.

Jon

 

[simond]

Ah, now we have a further level of complexity. As I understand it, it is for “toilet” in the French sense, ie, cleaning and dressing, rather than any sense of “kitty litter”

apparently these curious creatures bathe in the stuff. There was a video…

ah, yes…

it astonishes me that they don’t die of silicosis

 

[Osgood]

Are there any alternatives - Swedish Chef Dust (or at lease a coarse flour-based product) maybe?



(Sorry - promise I'll be better-behaved in '24)

 

[Richard Gawler]

Simon: I learnt about Chinchilla Dust in a book by Gordon Gravett, "Modelling Grassland and Landscape Detailing". The material responds differently according to how you fix it down, e.g. sticky gloss paint or PVA. It is a part of the armoury, to go alongside all kinds of other granular materials such as talc, ash, and crushed walnuts. I found this book helpful. The writer begins with a subject, be it a puddle or a rutted road or whatever, and then describes how to make a model of it. I found this a welcome change from the approach to scenic work I sometimes see elsewhere, this being to describe a technique and then trying to explain what the result might represent. Which never works out right.

 

[paulc]

Hi Paul,
It’s fine Chinchilla grit used over PVA, sprinkled through a stocking.
I try and make sure the glue isn’t too even, I make it patchy then that’s reflected in the chinchilla layer.
Various thin colour washes were used over the top.
Hope that’s helpful.

Ahh the old Chinchilla grit , a product that is unavailable in Australia . I asked in numerous pet stores and got the same answer so settled on Pumice instead . Many thanks Neil .

 

[paulc]

There are several ways of achieving, what follows are three of the most popular methods:

1. Stippling using a short bristled brush;
2. Sponge (either hand held or clamped between tweezers;
3. Salt method.

Although a smaller area than that shown in the photos above, this was achieved using the latter of the three,and several different shades of a similar colour:

View attachment 204967

It’s shown lighter than in real life.

jonte

Many thanks Jonte , there's a couple of ideas that i hadn't thought of so will give them a try .

 

[Podartist79]

Along with the weathering, various scenery projects have been going on as well.
This is my latest work on a model of Christow in 7mm scale.
*I should add that these scenes are not fully complete yet. A few tree armatures required and some final detailing.

 

[oldravendale]

Neil - Stunning! Absolutely stunning. Is this yours or a commission and if yours can we hope to see it some time?

Brian

 

[john lewsey]

Lovely work Neil, so inspiring
John

 

[Podartist79]

Very kind of you Both.
Brian; it’s a commission, and built into a layout room. Pretty much all the model railway work I post is commission based (would love to have the time - make the time - to work on my own model projects).
This model is a year or so away from completion - possibly 18 months.
Hope to get it in the pages of the MRJ, and if I can persuade my client, one or two other publications.

 

[Lancastrian]

Who's that lurking in the undergrowth? Lovely work Neil.

 

[Podartist79]

Who's that lurking in the undergrowth? Lovely work Neil.

Thank you Ian.
My client’s whimsy.

 

[jonte]

Who's that lurking in the undergrowth?

Word has it, it’s @daifly on a failed ‘High and Fast’. Seen clambering from the cockpit escape hatch, his examiner together with the mangled remains of what once a de Havilland Comet, lie buried deep beneath and within the leafy undergrowth. The airfield he was aiming for is just out of shot, lying just over the background hill.

jonte

 

[Podartist79]

Some further work undertaken on the Bourne End project I’m working on with Paul Bambrick, Nige Smith and Richard Ellis (Monks Gate Models).
Most of the buildings in these pictures are the work of PB and Richard (MGM) along with the fences.
*’Bourne End Joinery’ is the work of Brian Lewis.

The ‘green stuff’ (or scenery) is my work with PB’s beautiful tree armatures, scenic underpinnings (land form) and design.
The tin fence was made by PB (a Duncan’s Models product) painted and weathered by me.

 

[Allen M]

I think it needs a 'hand of god' in one of the photos to prove it's a model. Truly superb!

Regards
Allen

 

[Arun Sharma]

Neil had one of his scenes on display at RAILEX yesterday - It was magnificent.

 

[pricei]

That corrugated fencing looks so realistic. Brilliant.
Ian

 

[Podartist79]

Thank you All. Very kind.
This work, along with ‘School Lane’ at Railex Arun, are very much collaborative pieces, with Paul Bambrick being the mastermind behind them.
I really just dress the scene with scenery.
Neil.

 

[John Duffy]

That is very pretty.

John