Painting model railroad backdrops: Sky and Clouds

Bernard Kempinski describes some tips and techniques on how to paint the sky and clouds on his O scale model railroad backdrop.
The video was getting a little long, so I edited out the discussion of why I did not cove the corner by the planned balloon camp. There is a window adjacent to that corner. This window is a possible fire escape for the room. So I did not want to block it with a section of masonite I would use for a cove. Solutions that involved a partial cove just didn't look right. So I plan to rely on the Lowe's observation balloon to help hide the uncoved corner.

[@davidkeith8860]

Nice tutorial.... Love the use of Kilz for clouds and haze.... Who would have thunk it ... One can can probably do my whole backdrop....200 feet, a bargain.... Thanks for sharing will have to give these techniques a try

[@thetrainboard2772]

very detailed so that Im ok trying on my backdrop... first rate, giving us technique, materials, and the why we do certain techniques.... my compliments, gary j

[@chrisbarr1359]

Incredible. I'm not an artist by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm going to give this a try!

[@warthog5562]

Best video on the subject that I have seen on UA-cam

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Great tutorial! I have been a fan of curved backdrop for the corners from there beginning of my model railroading days - it never fails. I really like your clouds, I am terrible at painting them...

[@jhoodfysh]

Very nice Bernard, interesting techniques. Thank you for sharing.

[@BernardK]

thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[@CONTAINERMAN68]

I use stencils that I made myself by just ripping paper along one edge and then using a rattle can, spray white and gray on the wall, then maybe taking a paint brush and blending the two colors together in areas. I prepped the wall with the haze and 3 different shades of blue, blending them together. I wish I had pictures of it. Turned out really good, I thought! Old house layout.

[@lewe1882]

Very nice demonstration and a fabulous result. I found the drum backing track a little distracting and unnecessary however. But that aside thanks for posting!

[@user-vd8jo2mb6l]

Love the technique and will try it. Wet on wet is way too variable. What is the kILZ for and how do I use it?

[@BernardK]

Kilz is a stain-blocking paint primer available at hardware stores. It comes in oil and water based formulas. I use the water based one.

[@edmundnadolski3588]

Interesting point about using the Kilz as a glaze, I will have to try that. How much do you thin it? Thanks for sharing -- Ed

[@BernardK]

about 50-50.

[@sunnydayhobbies]

For balloon, put an LED behind it, to eliminate shadows?

[@DaleKittleson-ju5jz]

How do you apply the 50/50 Kilz to create the haze?

[@canespinone]

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[@USNavyDestroyerman]

Big Sky is Montana. Idaho is the Potato state with onions.