BNSF "Birdwood Sub" Layout update .no.30. Shaping rocks with "Sculpt It".

In part two of the bridge scene, I revisit the lost art of sculpting rocks from plaster! This time time, I'm trying the Aussie version , "Sculpt It" , which is the same as SculptAmold in the US. I'm actually quiet happy with the results, as the Sculpt It requires a slightly different technique than using plaster , as we see in the video.
The sad thing is that all this will be coming down in about a year , but I need the practice!
Enjoy and cheers!
Gregg.
00:00 Start.
00:30 Previous work .
02:50 First rocks with "Sculpt It"
05:00 Using wet spoon and spatula.
07:00 Making it up on the fly!
08:15 Change of plan!
11:00 Progress so far.

[@FarlandHowe]

Knowing when to stop is an illusive challenge. The rocks look good. Once they’re stained, they’ll look fabulous. Loved your joke about the priest. 😅

[@FishplateFilms]

That what she said..LOL. I am getting a little better at stopping once I see a decent shape! I need more photos to compare rocks with , so that's on the list . Thanks for the comments and for watching. Cheers Gregg.

[@avlisk]

I never would have used Sculptamold to make rocks without seeing the results you are getting. I will try it. Thanks.

[@FishplateFilms]

It works really well, but takes ages to dry! I might add a bit of casting plaster and se what happens? Thanks for watching! Gregg.

[@SantaFeBob]

Another awesome demonstration. I like the spoon and paint brush techniques. The perfect comment in the last video was “the wet finger is always a great tool on and off the layout”. Very entertaining Gregg. Thank you.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks very much Bob! Yes , getting the color right is the next challenge, and I also need to stop when doing that! Wise words to live by sir..the old wet finger 🙂. Cheers Gregg.

[@randydobson1863]

Hi Greg & it's is Randy and i like yours video is Cool & Thanks Greg & Friends Randy

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Randy , thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoy the videos! Cheers Gregg .

[@csxrensville5105]

Wow, looks terrific! FYI, I've lost my voice from screaming, "Gregg, for f##ks sake, leave it alone!" 😂😂😂

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you ! I think I did hear a faint noise in the background..LOL . Hopefully get more done this week? Gregg🙂

[@BNSFUPRailroader]

Nice work Gregg - love your work😇💫🔝🔝🔝

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you very much Sir! A compliment from my teacher ......how cool is that! I go back and watch your videos Volker for another lesson every time I do scenery .. and still forget what to do LOL. I will try plaster next time as the sculpt it would not suit the upright rocks I think? Thank you for the inspiration Volker! Gregg 🙂

[@upsd402]

Great video, like what you said, don’t overdo it. I find the most challenging aspect is coloring the rocks. Your techniques are amazing. Can’t wait to see it finished. Cheers from Terry in Nebraska. Again great work Gregg.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Terry! I'm doing the rocks now and hope to have a video up in a week or so. Cheers Gregg.

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing. Nice.👍

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it. Gregg.

[@tymatter5070]

Thats a great idea lord knows you can't have too many techniques in the hobby that keeps things looking too repetitive nature sure isn't repetitive is it they look good

[@steveweatherly1965]

The more you play with it the less enjoyment it brings😂

[@FishplateFilms]

Wise words to live by my friend!😏

[@peterainsworth8466]

Nice work Gregg. Looks like a good foundation for scenery. I prefer sculta mold/sculpt it over plaster.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Peter! I am preferring Sculpt it over plaster I think.....just have to make the mix really dry , as it takes ages to get firm. Cheers Gregg.

[@ianroberts6929]

Looking good Gregg, I have tended to use “neat” plaster but I like the grittiness you’re getting. Looking forward to seeing the colouration/staining stage!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Ian! Plaster is good too, and it dries a lot faster than this, but the gritty look is good also. What about mixing some plaster into the sculpt it ?? Food for thought there sir? Cheers Gregg.

[@ianroberts6929]

@@FishplateFilms you’re right that might be the ideal combo!

[@CajonSub]

Nice job Gregg, you really captured the look of the rock faces. I have started adding (base color) paint to my sculptamold now when mixing so I have the base already painted when it's dry. Saves having to go paint it later and then you can just add the color variations before ground cover. - Steve

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Steve! Thats not a bad idea, as the Sculpt it really eats up the first paint wash like a sponge! I will give that a try sir! Cheers Gregg.

[@CajonSub]

@@FishplateFilms it does, plus I found getting in all the cracks and crevices with that first base layer was a pain and time consuming. Coloring the sculpt-it saves time. I don’t have a ratio, I just added increments until I had the paint mixed in to all of the sculptamold. - Steve

[@1471SirFrederickBanbury]

excellent work Gregg. Amazing the difference adding some paper to plaster makes, isnt it?

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

Great Gregg, whne I make my mountains i used hydrocal and it was working well for carving rocks but yu have to go fast becaus if the drying time Thanks again

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Ronald! i'm thinking of mixing some plaster in with the sculpt it, to make it a bit harder and quicker drying? I may give it a go this week and see how it goes. Cheers Gregg.

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

Anither thing to was to mix hydrocal and plaster of paris to reduce the drying time and also add some dye for the color

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Ronald! I'm thinking of mixing some casting plaster with the Sculpt it ? That may reduce the drying time and make it a bit harder? Cheers Gregg.

[@vsvnrg3263]

what you are saying about plaster setting speeds, the fastest is plaster of paris. its straight crushed gypsum. (they get it from kevin. you know kevin?) then cornice adhesive, basecoat then hardwall. i think thats the order of speed. the factories mix lime in to slow setting speed. if you want to slow down whatever type you are using, put some milk in instead of just water. ive been told lemonade slows it down too. i think the spoon is a good tool for what you are doing. how about a set of measuring spoons for what you are doing? your scenery is as good as the hand of god. i think the cheese slicer and that 'plasterer's small tool' are better if you are trying to recreate the scene in a slate quarry. rock scenery doesnt usually have many flat surfaces or straight lines in it. would an icy pole stick be a useful tool for what you are doing?

[@justinjordanbalingit8831]

I want To Sculpt this Rock in the Birdwood Subdivision For BNSF and Union Pacific Intermodal And Burlington Northern And CSX And Amtrak Trains Athern Bulit Trains 13:22

[@justinjordanbalingit8831]

Finish the Progress at 19:44 16:02

[@smokeyjoe1034]

I was curious, but do you use photos of mountains and cliffs in order to shape the rocks and the mountain? Also, how do you know which colors to use to paint the rocks? Cheers, Joe.

[@FishplateFilms]

I do have some photos Joe, and have more that I need to copy and enlarge to work from. I'm in the process of shooting a colouring video that will be ready soon. Cheers Gregg.

[@smokeyjoe1034]

@@FishplateFilms I can't wait to see it. Cheers, Joe.

[@smokeyjoe1034]

Has anyone ever tried to use real rocks for model railroad scenery?

[@FishplateFilms]

Yes that does happen a bit Joe. Especially for small rocks in piles at the bottom of cliffs ect.

[@smokeyjoe1034]

@@FishplateFilms Do you use photos of mountains and cliffs in order to shape the rocks and the mountain? Also, how do you know which colors to use to paint the rocks? Cheers, Joe.

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Can you hear me....Leave it alone, slap it on there and call it good. Drywall compound works good to. Bob

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL...I can hear you Bob! I used drywall mud before and I do like it, but I'm thinking of mixing a bit of casting plaster with the Sculpt it to speed it up and smooth the texture a little? I'll give it a go over the weekend and see what it's like. Thanks for watching Sir! Gregg.