Painting A Sky Background

Paul,

I did my clouds this way. 

http://token3rail.blogspot.com...-cloud-painting.html

I used one color blue on the background but you could use a deeper/ darker one towards the top of the background.

This method is pretty quick and the results are very realistic looking. If you mess up just go over with the blue again.

Great effect, Al - and it looks so easy to do!  Did you paint any mountains or trees in your background?  

Regards,

Paul

Yes, really nice Al.

Paul: To get the blue gradient you desire, one typically paints simultaneously with two pots of blue paint (one with some white added), and blends them "on the wall" by alternating between the two with the same brush.

Sigh, I pine for The Token Three Railer....

the stencil technique is from Model RAILROADER MAGAZINE. The cloud stencils are easily made by placing a sheet of poster-board over a window facing clouds and copying the clouds thru the widow cast on the poster board then using a xacto cut out the pattern(s) as a stencil.

The article mentioned a Sherwin Williams sky color mix that is no longer made so others on the Forum have come upon different mixes that work well.

There is a Glidden color called "Clear Blue Sky" that works well.  Home Depot can mix it up using their cheapest base (which costs almost nothing and is more than adequate). 

Paul...keep your eyes peeled on an upcoming article from Jim Barrett on how to do a sky background.  Jim and I contacted New London Industries about their stencils and so Jim will have a very interesting article in his ongoing series as he builds his new layout....

Alan

Token 3 Railer.

http://token3rail.blogspot.com...-cloud-painting.html

Vulcan, that was the blog article I wrote and posted above

Oops, sorry, Al. I guess I didn't read up far enough. I just saw Pete lamenting the Token 3 railer.

Yes, First Unread post is working great!

Paul,

CSX Al's color appears to a nice blue.

You can have the store mix that color with varying percentages of white to get the colors for the transition effect.

For example. Horizon Haze # 540B (flat paint) with 20% white and with 30% white.

(Dark to lighter). If you get the sample sizes you can test it till you get it how you like it.

I believe spraying the paint would give the best transition.

A line of clouds could hide a roller applied transition.

Track lighting(small low voltage fixtures) may also get the desired effect by directing flood style lights(diffused light) at the top of a single color sky. You can play with some on the displays at the home store to check it out. I like this approach. It's what you are actually seeing with less reflected colors and particulates at higher altitudes.

Just experiment and step back to viewing distance as it is a visual effect that you want rather than a surface effect up close.

Show us your result when you complete it.