Clearwater Valley Railway Co.

[elwoodblues]

Thanks for the comments everyone,

After a very hectic week I finally found time to make it to the layout.  You know what that means, time for another update.  

This one is called. . . . . . . .

 🎶🎶 "I see skies of blue" 🎶🎶

I hate painting and I tend to be a messy painter so the  first step is to mask off the areas where I didn't want paint.




I use a 3 part process to painting the backdrop (Disclaimer, I didn't invent this method but have used it before with satisfying results).   Step 1 - Adding a light blue on the bottom of the backdrop.  Step 2 - Adding a darker blue at the top of the backdrop.





Step 3 - Blending the 2 colours.

The key in this method is choosing two blues in the same family.  In my case I used Behr flat paint from Home Depot.  The colours I used was "Spa Blue" (PP1-1) and "Life Force" (PP1-2).





The end result at the west end of the staging yard.





The finished east end of the staging yard.  It is amazing how much the simple sky backdrop adds to the layout.

Next up will be painting the mountains on the backdrop.  I think I'm going to have to hire Kyle for this part.

Thanks for looking in.

[PRR Modeler]

Looks good Ron, but now you need trees of green!

[Larry C]

Ron nicely done; starting to look like a layout extension. Have fun with painting the mountains.

[Rick]

Ron, good choice of colors.
Have fun painting the mountains and add some clouds too.
If it were me I'd buy a photo backdrop.
There's a guy that has some great ones.
I think his name is Joey.
ACLTom would know who it is and his URL.

[Jerry]

Ron it looks great so far.  Looking forward to the greenery.

Jerry

[Zephyrus52246]

Nice backdrop. Not distracting, but effective. 

Jeff

[Philip]

At first I saw green tape.........Great Job Ron!

[kyle creel]

Did somebody mention my name? I'm truly flattered and humbled Ron, If you were "Just down the road a-piece"; it'd already be done           .....I've seen your fine backdrop artwork; and I was encouraged and inspired by what I saw WAY BACK in 2012 and 2013 on your incredible layout, back when you used to post my pictures for me 'cause I was too dense   to understand how it all works....   you've got exactly what's needed in your hands and fingers and head.....I have NO doubt that whatever you create will be stunning       and beautiful......and thanx for the very generous and high compliment......         ...........GO TO IT....you've got this    

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry Co. 

[elwoodblues]

Did somebody mention my name? I'm truly flattered and humbled Ron, If you were "Just down the road a-piece"; it'd already be done           .....I've seen your fine backdrop artwork; and I was encouraged and inspired by what I saw WAY BACK in 2012 and 2013 on your incredible layout, back when you used to post my pictures for me 'cause I was too dense   to understand how it all works....   you've got exactly what's needed in your hands and fingers and head.....I have NO doubt that whatever you create will be stunning       and beautiful......and thanx for the very generous and high compliment......         ...........GO TO IT....you've got this    

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry Co.

Kyle,

I can't believe I painted my backdrop that long ago, now I need to remember how I did it 

[elwoodblues]

Thanks for the comments Curt, Larry, Rick, Jerry, Jeff, Philip and Kyle.

The sky was the easy part.  This weekend should be interesting.