MRH 120 Day Challenge - Post No. 04 Retention Pond Shoreline Detailing - Completed!

Work continues on the mountain section - specifically the retention pond. It's amazing how much time this is taking! In my last post I had completed the water pour for the pond and here's what it looked like:

In this post I'll work on detailing the shoreline and surrounding area. When I do detailing I use multiple layers of different color paints with the hopes of creating depth and variation. For the first layer I applied a medium gray paint all around the shoreline being sure to fill every nook and cranny.

Next I'll add a Terra Cotta color which looks very similar to red clay. I cover most of the gray being careful to leave some of that color exposed to represent rocks.

Next up is a beige color which I apply using a "heavy" dry brush technique. It's starting to look a little better.

Now for the final colors I will use a series of tans with each color being lighter than the previous coat. Sorry about the focus on this picture.

Next I start to add foliage around the pond and on the mountain. The area I covered on the mountain is a single piece of black poly fiber that I cover with foliage off of the layout and then apply in "sheets" using tacky glue.

Here's a closer view of the area. There is still much work to be done as the foliage around the pond is too green and too much the same. I'll add a number of different types & colors of "stuff" around the shoreline. Once all of the mountain is covered I'll also add variety there.

Rick
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Comments
Awesome
It's incredible how fast that scene transformed from bland colors into a believable and unique retention pond!
Nice work.
-Johnny
Freelancing the Plainville, Pequabuck and New London Railroad
Very nice indeed!
Very nice indeed!
Looking good Rick
I have always found building any thing with modeled water in it the hardest thing to make look right or should I say real looking. You have a great start with the pond and that motel is looking pretty good too. Did you Kit bash the Motel or did you find it in kit form?
So far your Module has taken on a transformation I did not see when you showed your first photos. Keep up the fine work Rick!
I always look forward to see what your building and constructing.
Dan
Rio Grande Dan
Despite Your Modesty,You Are an Artist
Thanks for the great tutorial Rick. This scene is looking really good. I am bookmarking this page for later reference.
Al
Starting over in HO, with RailPro.
Thanks, Dan! The motel is...
Thanks, Dan! The motel is a foam board mock up. You can learn more about it from a MRH thread by clicking this link. The actual motel will be similar to the mock up including a pool.
Rick
Rick
The former Richlawn Railroad Website - Featuring the L&N in HO / MRH Blog Eastern Standard Time
Johnny & Alex
Thanks guys for your kind words. I'm having fun with trains!
Rick
Rick
The former Richlawn Railroad Website - Featuring the L&N in HO / MRH Blog Eastern Standard Time
Thank you Al!
Al,
I appreciate your comments and I'm glad that you found the posting helpful. All that I've learned has been from postings on sites like MRH, publications, and visiting other people's layouts.
Rick
Rick
The former Richlawn Railroad Website - Featuring the L&N in HO / MRH Blog Eastern Standard Time
Ideas
Rick,
Once again I am able to extrapolate from your expertise to accomplish something on my railroad. I have a mountain "pond" near a small clearing with my semi-hidden nude sunbathers. I haven't painted or poured the scene to a finished state yet and thanks to your detailed comments, I can give it the depth I'm looking for with colors. This is tough for me being color-blind greens and reds, but I do see blue and shade differences. After all, what's better during these hot days than a dip and some tanning at a mountain spring-fed pond?
Thanks for the posts.
Dave C.
Chief Operating Officer
The Greater Nickel Plate
Crime scene?
I must be watching too much of the 48 hours and Cold Case shows. This looks like a perfect spot for a crime scene.
I can hear the TV Bumper now.
"It was a humid mosquito filled summer in 1987. Brenda and Bob were vacationing at a Motel off I40. Bob never went home. 25 Years later something surfaced in the pond behind the Motel. Is it West Nile Virus or Case for Murder?..."
David, thank you.
I'm looking forward to seeing your mountain pond - complete with sunbathers! Make sure that they have plenty of sun block applied.
Rick
Rick
The former Richlawn Railroad Website - Featuring the L&N in HO / MRH Blog Eastern Standard Time