Fence and Roadwork

Looks great!  How did you do it?

The fence or the road?

Fence is a kit. Just deviated from instructions a little. I just made it one continuous section like a real fence.Modified the gate size to clear the crossing.

 

 And used  high end felco hard wire cuttersto expedite cutting and my secret is "Cyanoacrylate ACCELERATOR".

 

Roads was an experiment that turned out well (in my opinion). I  used spatula to lay down lightweight spackle. When firm, used wire brush to stipple dirt and soft wet  (dip often) paint brush to shape ruts after driving my kids toy car down it.

When dry, I painted with real thin Roscoe foamcoat. Got a free sample at local scenic store. Then went to town with dark (Bitter chocolate, revival mahogany, and other browns from Home Depot (smal lpint samples mixed in flat latex only.)

Add grass, pour on alchol, glue, india ink sluge mix, add a little fine sand and then straight india ink for oil/puddles. Dab with paper towel till bored and let dry. Then drybrush with white and onother thin wash with alcohol/ink.

And once I start painting, I do not stop, just keep blending and adding grass etc till it feels right. Use brush and water if something looks too dark. Mist with wash when still wet Then leave it till morning. Then high lite with white in ruts.

Thanks for the explanation.  I get the impression that the roscoe foamcoat was an experiment of sorts for you.  Did you find that it was needed or did it provide some benefit versus omitting it and proceeding with painting on the spackel? 

Merely excellent scenic work Fred. Reminds me of the wintertime road back down to the Farm during the late 1930s when Grandpa's high axle T-Model or a horse and wagon was all that could negotiate it. 

That fence is spectacular!!!  The road, too, is great.  I've also used spackling for rutty roads and such.  Easy to work and cheap . . .

 

 

But that fence, I must learn how to make a fence like that.  What kit?

Pennsy, I had never used the sparkle before. But re softens quite easily. The Roscoe product works great on Stryrofoam. Makes it tough as nails. It also will re soften but takes a lot longer and the high solids need to be stirred quite vigorously to re liquefy. Since I like to work wet, I figured I would try it. It helped retain the course detail on the higher ground. It does increase the impact strength also. Less likely to break if a tool gets dropped on it. I am going to play with some crystal clear gel to try to make some water effects. It is expensive, but it goes a long way. And the samples are just the right size for what I do. I also got some Tough Prime, Flexbond,Flexcoat, and Flat and Gloss Clear. Price was right. Flex coat is actually a flame retardant coating for foam. Cheap insurance in my opinion. FMH