Creating Landscape step by step with pictures

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Model railroader Pamela Lindsey demonstrate how to create a realistic landscape.

Materials:

One package plastic tree forms
Assortment of colored foam tree foliage
Small bunch of green dried flowers
Florists' wire
Tube of all-purpose white caulk
Tube of plastic modeler's glue
Brown acrylic paint
Small detail paintbrush

1. Generously spread plastic modelers' glue on a few branches of a tree form. Press a small cluster of colored foam tree foliage onto the glue (figure A). Cover the other branches in the same manner, making sure to cover both sides of the tree. You do not have to cover every branch, as the goal is a tree that looks realistic -- not perfect. Fill in with darker foliage to give the tree depth and realism.

2. Another way to create a tree is to use foliage available from a local craft store. Separate the individual stems of the foliage from the main stem, and group the pieces together. Carefully wrap the stems together with florists' wire.

3. Using all-purpose white caulk, cover the wire and stems up to the base of the foliage (figure B). After the caulk dries thoroughly, paint the newly created tree trunk with brown acrylic paint. Snip off the bottom end of the trunk to create a clean base, and the tree is ready to be placed in the layout.

Lay Down Grass and Gravel

Model railroaders Pamela Lindsey and Kent McBee explain how to landscape easily and effectively.

Materials:

Assortment of colored foam tree foliage
Assortment of groundcovers
Coarse turf
Ballast
Pencil
White glue
1" paintbrush
Plastic shaker jugs

1. Pull off small bushlike clumps of the same kind of foliage used to create the trees, and secure them with white glue (figure C). Place the foliage in a casual, creative way, keeping in mind where foliage grows naturally. You can put foliage almost anywhere, as white glue will securely hold this porous material.

2. Spread white glue over the surface to be covered, using a paintbrush dipped in water. Lightly shake groundcover from a sprinkle container over the wet glue (figure D). Sprinkle more than one color and random coarse turf for a truly realistic touch. Continue to cover the upper surfaces of the mountain where dirt and grass would naturally appear. Be creative.

3. To insert trees into the mountain, poke holes into the firmly dried plaster cloth with a sharpened pencil (figure E). Put a drop of glue in each hole, and insert a tree. This step is only necessary where trees are applied to plaster cloth. Trees may be readily pushed into the insulation foam used for the base layout.

4. Step back from time to time and look at the overall effect of the landscape so you can determine what's needed. Landscaping is almost foolproof because you can always cover up any mistakes and start again.

5. To complete the application of groundcover, use white glue and a paintbrush and spread glue in workable sections on the layout. Sprinkle groundcover, using more than one color. Sometimes it is easier to apply the material to large areas with your fingers. Place shrubs and rough turf in random patterns to create a realistic landscape.

6. To place gravel in appropriate places, spread white glue around the markings for the buildings on the insulation board. Make sure to cover the outline of a building in case the structure's size has been misjudged (figure F). This will ensure a neat fit between the gravel and the edge of the building so no insulation board shows. Use fine ballast to simulate gravel, and cover the glued area.

7. Use a pencil to mark the location of a dirt road (figure G). Use white glue and a paintbrush dipped in water to spread glue within the penciled lines. Shake a layer of dirt-colored groundcover over the glue to create the road. Use your fingers to move the excess groundcover around, overlapping the groundcover with other landscaping so the insulation board won't show. Use a darker ground cover to simulate tire tracks down the dirt road.

8. Remember to finish the outside edges of the layout. Repeat the gluing and groundcover-application process along the edge, and add shrubbery to create a realistic layout. Strategically place clumps of colored foam foliage around the layout to cover joints, holes or bare places.