NSW - 1156 - 3D-Backscene - Synopsis
NSW - 1156 - Architecture & Scenic - "3D-Backscene" 7mm/O
Uley Junction - Construction of Embankment & Backscene...
The construction of the embankment presented a challenge. Uley Junction is designed as a portable layout for exhibition work and consequently all construction needed to be as light in weight as possible. In addition, the embankment actually covers hidden sidings where trains are stored and clearance space was a premium. Traditional methods using plaster, for example, would not be suitable.
The method adopted consisted of several ply formers covered with insect screen held in place using glue from a hot-glue gun - photo 1. This layer was then covered with layers of strips of newspaper soaked briefly in a 50/50 mixture of PVA and water - also photo 1. This 'mess' is plyable and follows the landform without difficulty. When dry (it takes a while!) it was painted with a primer to seal the surface - photo 2. The structure remains a little flexible, when fully cured, but sufficiently stiff for the purpose.
Mixtures of various shades of green and brown paints were applied from Sample Pots acquired from Bunnings (our local DIY hardware chain). Various ground vegetation and static grass have been added but this is work in progress.
Having created the embankment it then became obvious that it was, from an aesthetic perspective, rather "blunt" and a decision was made to add a backscene. This is designed to be removable for transport purposes. But rather than having one long (2.4m) unit that would be unwieldy and difficult to transport it was decided to build using "jig-saw" pieces that would dove-tail (interlock) together - photo 3. There are actually up to three layers of ply and MDF to form the back-plane. These are layered and cut to form the jig-saw and impression of receding hills. The intent being to create a 3-D effect and forced perspective as one looks from layer to layer. For transport the jig-saw pieces are screwed onto a flat sheet that forms the base of a box. Each piece is then well protected including all the delicate items such as the trees.
More fly-screen was added at the foot of each piece and then 'land-form' created at a right-angle to the back plane using expanded polyurethane - photo 4. The base of the polyurethane was shaped to fit the top of the embankment. This was again covered with the papier-mache newspaper (photo 5) and then further granulated papier-mache to give greater texture. More paint to seal (photo 6) and then various ground cover (dyed granulated foam rubber) and static grass. Various sizes and shades of colour were used - more is needed to give complete coverage.
The various portions of the back-plane were painted for background colour and to encourage the deception of receding distance. Hand painted trees were added in the foreground but a denser level of tree growth was created in the next distance layer by taking a woodland scene (actually 'snapped' on my computer from a TV series of a typical UK scene) and covering that layer with printed portions in collage fashion to cover the length required. This layer is slightly 'fuzzy' due to the low resolution of the picture taken from the TV - this actually adds to the impression of distance.
Finally, groves of trees were planted at strategic locations, plus some stone wall, hedging, cows and a farmer! All with a view to create cameo scenes to attract a viewers eyes - photos 7, 8 and 9.
The construction of the embankment presented a challenge. Uley Junction is designed as a portable layout for exhibition work and consequently all construction needed to be as light in weight as possible. In addition, the embankment actually covers hidden sidings where trains are stored and clearance space was a premium. Traditional methods using plaster, for example, would not be suitable.
The method adopted consisted of several ply formers covered with insect screen held in place using glue from a hot-glue gun - photo 1. This layer was then covered with layers of strips of newspaper soaked briefly in a 50/50 mixture of PVA and water - also photo 1. This 'mess' is plyable and follows the landform without difficulty. When dry (it takes a while!) it was painted with a primer to seal the surface - photo 2. The structure remains a little flexible, when fully cured, but sufficiently stiff for the purpose.
Mixtures of various shades of green and brown paints were applied from Sample Pots acquired from Bunnings (our local DIY hardware chain). Various ground vegetation and static grass have been added but this is work in progress.
Having created the embankment it then became obvious that it was, from an aesthetic perspective, rather "blunt" and a decision was made to add a backscene. This is designed to be removable for transport purposes. But rather than having one long (2.4m) unit that would be unwieldy and difficult to transport it was decided to build using "jig-saw" pieces that would dove-tail (interlock) together - photo 3. There are actually up to three layers of ply and MDF to form the back-plane. These are layered and cut to form the jig-saw and impression of receding hills. The intent being to create a 3-D effect and forced perspective as one looks from layer to layer. For transport the jig-saw pieces are screwed onto a flat sheet that forms the base of a box. Each piece is then well protected including all the delicate items such as the trees.
More fly-screen was added at the foot of each piece and then 'land-form' created at a right-angle to the back plane using expanded polyurethane - photo 4. The base of the polyurethane was shaped to fit the top of the embankment. This was again covered with the papier-mache newspaper (photo 5) and then further granulated papier-mache to give greater texture. More paint to seal (photo 6) and then various ground cover (dyed granulated foam rubber) and static grass. Various sizes and shades of colour were used - more is needed to give complete coverage.
The various portions of the back-plane were painted for background colour and to encourage the deception of receding distance. Hand painted trees were added in the foreground but a denser level of tree growth was created in the next distance layer by taking a woodland scene (actually 'snapped' on my computer from a TV series of a typical UK scene) and covering that layer with printed portions in collage fashion to cover the length required. This layer is slightly 'fuzzy' due to the low resolution of the picture taken from the TV - this actually adds to the impression of distance.
Finally, groves of trees were planted at strategic locations, plus some stone wall, hedging, cows and a farmer! All with a view to create cameo scenes to attract a viewers eyes - photos 7, 8 and 9.