Why do I Model Scale Trees? | River Road ~ Vlog # 152 

Most model railroaders never admit they are artists' because they fear the "artist" stigma will undermine their masculinity. ;-)

The more you build the better you get. I am in thick with a few dozen more right now. ;-)

😁👍Good to hear because you all inspire me as well! Cheers.

You should see some sections of the SRY prototype - worse than mine. Roller coaster grade, tree overhangs everywhere, bumps in the road, etc. . . . lol.😁

Sounds great!

Trees are kind of mystical. When you build them you grow in a way that is unexplainable. If you devote the time, they reward every modeler. ;-)

Glad you like them!

That sounds awesome. They do take some work but they are well worth it in my experience. Cheers!

😁

Wow! Thank you JC. I appreciate the gift as always. Bless you. Cheers ~ Boomer. 😁

@@boomerdiorama you’re welcome! I hope more subscribers show their appreciation in a similar manner.

😁

The more you build them the better they get. They even get better when you return to building them after a break as well. I still study photos of trees when I build them.

Happy new year!

Thank you. I am O.K. with the term even thought I love any good model at the end of the day.😉

@@boomerdiorama Hi, definitely more than good!!!

My pleasure 😊

😁

Thank you.😁

Yes. That seems to be the way it works for all of us.😁

Scale means different things to different people. It's rather subjective as well. I think pre-war Lionel is fine if that is what excites you. ;-)

@@boomerdiorama I indulge as well, but I will always contend it as a stretch to refer to them as models. Whos to say that we can’t enjoy our toys though.

Cheers!

Sure thing! 2023 is back on track. ;-)

Welcome!😁

It's an awesome method for sure. The trees are virtually "bullet" proof.

My pleasure!

Happy new year Ralph!

I still mess up all the time. Just show the good ones . . . lol. ;-)

😁

Sure thing!

Happy new year to you as well!

You are welcome!

Those tips sound great. Thanks for sharing them!😁

Thank You. The good ones are but the fails go to the background ;-)

Glad to hear it. Thanks for sharing and have fun!😁

Have fun with it. Trees will take you down a path to Nirvana . . . lol.

Never to late to reset and press in.😁

Glad it was helpful!

Hey! You bet John. The next episode commences the next chapter. Stay tuned.

You are awesome! Thank you Peter! Cheers ~ Boomer.😁

@@boomerdiorama Very happy to keep supporting the channel Boomer

Happy new year to you as well Fred!

Burn out happens when you are forced to express someone else's vision coupled to poor monetary compensation. Cheers ~ Boomer. ;-)

Having fun and I feel super creative, out of the gate, this year. ;-)

Happy new year!

Same to you!👍

You can go straight to black or brown if you want. I like to undercoat the larger trees with white. It makes the colors pop more. Do whatever you feel comfortable with. 😁

I would use 26 and 28 guage wire for N Scale. In some cases I will use 24 guage and just flock 12mm static grass directly onto the rod (several times) and then cut them to length when dry and shape.

I've wondered myself, for months, what that mini-yard rake is. I can't find one either.

Everyone wants that tool. You can get it from OPUS Art Supply. They come in "mini" sculpting tool packs. It is called a sculpting rake.

@@boomerdiorama Thanks. I may have missed it - I'm at "work" and have a few distractions - but did not see it on the Opus website and couldn't find one anywhere else (although I did not look through ALL of the Etsy pages). I did find a couple of make-your-own videos, though: SKS Props - How to Make Your Own Custom Clay Sculpting Tools Easy DIY Tutorial ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WA5puKP_ubw.html Brick In The Yard Mold Supply - Sculpting Tutorial Make your Own Sculpting Tools ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eBgvC1cIt-E.html. I'll try that. I have some wire and tubing, and maybe even the right sized tubing. Edit: I found Pengxiaomei 2pcs Clay Needle Tools, Feather Wire Texture Tool for Clay Pottery Sculpting Texturing Modeling Tools on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com. The price on Amazon.ca is horrific, even for a hobby item. The Amazon.com price is only US$6.29 for a pair, but that quadruples with the conversion to CAD and delivery to Canada. Self-made may not be as pretty, but one can stick something in the other end of the tube as well.

Great question. I do it for several reason. 1. It seals the armature for better adhesion when I flock the first 12mm static grass. 2. It is always a good idea to primer the tree to take final paint colors before the finishing flocking.

It is much easier and faster as well.😁

Found it on Amazon Sculpting Rake

The "sculpting rake" can be acquired from art supply stores. Try Craft stores as well. I picked mine up at Opus Art Supply. They usually come in a small package of other assorted sculpting tools. Fairly cheap as well.

Thank you!

I have two large windows I open with a good fan to move the air in and out of the room. I use mostly water and IPA so there is no real toxicity factor to deal with. Since I use very little pigment because Tamiya is so vibrant, there is very little if any overspray to be concerned about. I also lay damp absorbent rags over my bench near the window in the direction I spray as well. Furthermore, I get in real close so the paint goes on the model and not into open space as well. I only use a spray booth or paint outside if I shoot enamels, which is rare. I clean my airbrush into rags bunched up on the bench with lots of IPA, which evaporates quickly anyway. Cheers.

@@boomerdiorama I appreciate the explanation. I've recently purchased my first airbrush and am anxious to begin using it. I want to make sure all bases are covered before I jump in.

@@luvindemtrains Make sure you thin the paint lots (more than you do and then some). The trick is to build up coverage in multiple layers - not one pass. And practice on carboard or paper all the time before the model and you will grow fast. 😁

@@boomerdiorama yes sir!

I depends how fine the sawdust is. Super fine holds better and flexes better. On the other hand, Oxide is fantastic for toughness and leaves a smoother finish but also a nice texture as well. The Oxide with Matte medium, when based out in pale white or beige looks awesome with an Umber wash over it.

@@boomerdiorama thanks! I'm testing out some fine sawdust since that's what I have on hand. If, for some reason it doesn't work, I'll order some oxide!

Sure . . . why not? Find a photo and twist up an armature and see how it goes.

The primary point of an airbrush is to save paint. I use Tamiya and dilute it with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) by 80% to save paint. Covers awesome. You can use craft acrylic paint and water if you want. Good luck with it - can be done but I don't bother because it doesn't hold it's color like good quality paint does and clogs the airbrush. I don't use Craft paint at all in my airbrush.

@@boomerdiorama Good to know, I’ve ordered my first airbrush and I’m trying to learn as much as I can. I really appreciate your input.

Yes. 50/50 for starters. But then there are times where I don't thin it as well depending on application, etc. You get a feel for it after awhile when using it.

Aluminum Oxide. Any fine sand or sawdust will work equally well.

@@boomerdiorama Thanks!

Art Supply Stores under "Golden" acrylic gel products.

Three sisters was an exception that I migrated from Glover Road. Glover Road had no foam substrate because it was basically built on a door skin, with foam chunks glued in under the layout - after the fact. I usually use a substrate from foam over plywood. I plan ahead where trees will go approximately and then plunge them into foam so I can easily remove them. Sometimes you have to drill holes if plywood is underneath. It's a good idea to have them removeable because they are the greatest investment on your layout next to trains. Furthermore, you can tweak the composition of the tree groups as well. Cheers.

Thanks for the reply on this one.. right now Im cork over plywood base similar to your Glover road… I figured I would drill but want them removable for sure… lol my issue is I keep rearranging my trees for the best look but will finalize soon… see if drilling and placement will be secure enough.. you may have given me another idea too with foam inserts 🤔 👍

@@thjtr-qx3ro I move trees dozens of times as well when I compose the scene. It's normal. I usually pug the holes with CelluClay later when I don't use them.

O.K. Thanks for the heads up. Cheers!