How to paint a backdrop

Start by painting it black.  Many people will vocally disagree with this advice.  But, you have to think like a landscape painter.  You start with the background, shadows, and low-lights and layer everything else on top of that. It is really the same principle as ending with a bright white dry-brush (which everybody will agree with).  After you have covered it with lighter colors, hints of black will show through in the right places to simulate deep outdoor shadows.

Next, you do several layers of dry-brushing, mixing white, black, greens, umbers and sienna. You mix then wet with the brush as you apply them. Dry brushing takes a bit of practice, but you will get the hang of it. Just be patient, and keep trying until you like what you see. You won't ruin anything. Paint over your mistakes.

Finally, as I said, you let everything dry and then do a very light dry brush of bright white to simulate the glint of sunlight. Get a very bright white.

Cheap hobby acrylics are just fine.  Buy them at WalMart.

Might I suggest you obtain and watch the original part I of the "Black Diamond Railway" by Rich Batista from toytrainsontracks.com.  The video is fun to watch, inspiring and has instructions for every aspect of layout building including what you are looking for.

Best of luck.

Ron

Thank you for your help. I will take all of your advice and do my best. I will post a picture when I finish and show everyone how it turned out.

David

Nice video !!!

Here is the finish product. I think it turned out good for being my first try.

Have a great night,

David

Great start...but don't stop there...

Add a little soil in the nooks and crannies then a light sprinkle of green ground foam.  Be sure to blend it in around the base where it joins the rest of the "world" with maybe a couple of clumps of lichen for bushes...etc.

There are two schools of thought. One paint black and add lighter colors or lightly stain the rocks then stain with india ink or black washes.

Check out Tracksidescenery.com and watch Joey Ricards Videos, this guy is way above being very good, gives extremely good training and advise.

J Daddy, Nice rock wall.  I like the bushes and growth in the rocks.  I think your rocks look much like the once I see around my neck of the woods.  Nicely done.

Easy...get my wife Connie to do it.  Her painting is awesome!