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Now that the sloped mountainsides have an initial surface, Kent returns to the scenes to carve out realistic rock strata. In this segment you’ll quickly learn how to use an inexpensive steak knife, a thinned Sculptamold mixture, and a variety of Woodland Scenics plaster brushes/tools to shape extremely eroded rock formations like to those found in Canada’s Thompson River Canyon.
Thanks for following along, guys! The Canadian Canyons really does represent the most ambitious project layout we’ve attempted since the N scale Clinchfield, so we’ve still got plenty more new techniques to demonstrate on MRVP.
Why carve the foam first? Simple answer: the pitch of mountainside. I didn’t trust that Sculptamold would stick to the steep, smooth vertical surface without first giving it some tooth. -KJ
You look like you’re having fun with this Kent! Did you get your brushwork techniques from Bob Ross?
Not sure why the foam was carved, then the Sculptamold, then carved again. Why not lay on the Sculptamold first, let it dry, and then carve? Sculptamold is made for this type of process.
How many more episodes is there going to be for the Canadian Canyon series? The latest one I have see is episode 32 and I’m getting really excited to see it all. Hahaha i had to laught because i work for the railroad (UP) for 14 years now and i still love my job and still get a smile on my face when i see or when I’m running the trains with all the scenery right outside my locomotive window especially when it’s put on a layout. Thank you for your time.
Bring back the old intro. I love the shot from the water looking at the train along the cliff.
Looking really good Kent ! 🙂
Great skill Kent in making this all come together. I like seeing the strata at angles showing the effects of time, erosion and even upheaval from shifting in the earth’s layers. You’ve definitely done your homework prior to starting this segment and all the pics are a great help in recreating this scene.
Do the different companies provide the tools you use in demonstrating their products or does Kalmbach purchase them with their operating budget?
I’ve never understood the popularity of foam as a scenery base so I’m not familiar with its’ use. I’m also thinking this is a slightly different use of foam, as I’ve mostly seen people use it in a flat layered (Wedding Cake) style. I see the way it has been used here as the same way screen; or, cardboard strips and paper towels dipped in plaster; or, plaster impregnated gauze is used. Kent’s carving of the foam with various tools making it the base of the rocky scenery is a very interesting use of the foam, making the surface look like rock without rock castings.
I am a strong supporter of the use of Sculptamold! Excepting where rock castings have been used, my entire layout has a layer of Sculptamold over it. I love how it allows a goodly amount of time to be worked into what ever shape the modeler could want!
Very informative video, Kent and thanks for the demonstration! I’m looking forward to the next installment!
Looking good Kent, foam and sculptimold is a great combination. Makes it easy to create in minutes what it took Mother Nature millions of years to create. It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.
I’m looking forward to the next episode
Great lessons, Kent!
That’s really impressive when you see how Ken begins the process of pulling everything together. Well explained and a really useful video. I really enjoyed watching this.
Great segment Kent on foam carving. It is hard to get a final surface by just carving the foam unless you are replicating large hard rock features that have distinct fractures (I.e. Granite or limestone) but the sculptamold allows the modeler to soften the fracture edges and keep the angled planes. Great work. Thanks