A proto-freelanced N scale layout depicting Subdivisons 38 & 39 of Rock Island's Southern Division.

Monday, July 21, 2025
Crossing the Ouachita River
Saturday, July 12, 2025
The Ouachita gets poured
Sunday, July 6, 2025
River color adjustment, take two
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Painting the river, part 2
Before I got started on the next phase of the river, I decided that the Tamiya Olive Green was just a little too dark, it was very close to the foliage on the banks. So I added some of the Tamiya Flat Earth brown to it. It had the effect of not only lightening it up enough, it also gave it a brownish hue.
Once the river was repainted it was time to start painting the Faux pattern on the surface. I followed Boomer's process, which was to use the "Golden" brand of gloss glazing liquid and add a bit of the Vallejo US Sand paint to it. Mix it up thoroughly and using a damp sponge you dip it on the mix, wipe off the majority of it on a rag, kind of the way one "Dry Brushes" and then start padding or stippling the sponge on the surface of the river.
Friday, July 4, 2025
Painting the river, part 1
Most of this might be somewhat covered when I start faux painting the main river, but I know it'll be there.
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Covering the banks
The next step was to work on the sand bar and river banks.
I spread a thin layer of glue and using a fine sieve I spread out a thick layer of my Mocha grout. I let it dry over night and then vacuumed up the excess and rubbing with my finger, I worked more excess loose.
I used a mix of 2mm & 4mm light and medium green static grass for the weeds on the sand bar, leaving enough room for the River Rat's camp site and some tents. I also sprayed hair spray over it and sprinkled on several colors of fine ground foam.
Once everything was dry, I took Woodland Scenics Poly Fiber and stretched it out very thin and applied it to the river banks, the fine ground foam glued down previously helped to hold it in place while the glue dried. This will become the base for the 3D undergrowth.
It's not very thick but thick enough that when the next layer of ground foam is applied it will take on a of look deep, shaggy weeds and tangles.