Painting High Tide Marks on Scale Models (Part 3) | River Road - Vlog #99

This episode demonstrates how I paint high and low tide marks, with Vallejo and Tamiya Acrylic paints, on marine structures in any scale, including model railroads, scale models, and dioramas.
Music: KZbin Studio
DISCLAIMER: I pay for all the products and materials I use in this video content, unless otherwise stated. I do not receive any affiliate sponsorship, fees, funds, support, or gifts from company products, and/or any other companies, (unless stated otherwise). I only endorse products for the benefit of the community and my own personal use.

[@herrkiwi3110]

Slightly out of left field , why do you use the Vallejo Model Air range for a lot of your washes and not something like the golden range ? Do you ever use those Vallejo's in your airbrush ? I started using the Tamiya again through my airbrush after switching solely to Vallejo, as I found the Vallejo is much more temperamental to use, it seems you have to get the mixture, pressure and even the room temperature bang on otherwise it can go sour quickly. I recently finished a locomotive using your technique of Vallejo acrylic wash then light airbrush blend with Tamiya so simple, so controllable and so believable ! Your channel is such an inspiration, thank you as always for sharing.

[@shaunhuckstepp7531]

I used to have that problem with Model Flex paint, if you didn't have your tongue pointed at the correct angle it would go all tits up on the model. I now useTamyia or just get cheap artist acrylic paint and dilute it in water ,if it happens to be a hot day then will add a drop or to of Windex window cleaner hope this might be some help

[@herrkiwi3110]

@@shaunhuckstepp7531 thanks for the tip. To be honest I find the Tamiya pretty much "idiot proof" and the paint quality is amazing, I just really like the colour selection in the Vallejo range, don't get me wrong I can use it, but after switching back to Tamiya it is just so much easier to work with.

[@shaunhuckstepp7531]

Boomers way of use Tamiya paint does give some very rewarding result and it doesn't seem to suffer weather conditions ,lve been using water base paint for a while now but l think the Tamyia paint is a no brainer

[@boomerdiorama]

Golden pigment (paint) is superb quality. I like to use Golden for larger surfaces like scenery, etc. With smaller surfaces, I like to use Vallejo pigment and Tamiya. The beauty of Vallejo colors are the sheer variety and ease of application with a traditional brush. I don't shoot Vallejo through my airbrush because I don't need to and it is temperamental with IPA as you wrote. I can mix any color equivalent with Tamiya. Furthermore, Tamiya is much more compatible with IPA than Vallejo is as well. I like to lay Vallejo over top of Tamiya with a traditional brush and water, and then chase with very thin Tamiya with the airbrush. The latter method often leads to stunning results when using acrylics. Further more, you can throw an oil wash over Tamiya and Vallejo with no problems. You can even "flat coat" within an hour as well.

[@boomerdiorama]

Don't leave "Windex" in your airbrush for long though. The "Blue" solution will gum it up. Flush with IPA and you will never have a problem with your airbrush.

[@pedrocampinopt]

Awesome work, the results are astonishing...

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you very much!

[@baronjutter]

I'm doing a coastal BC railroad so this is a great tutorial

[@boomerdiorama]

O.K. Glad to hear it. B.C. Coastal Railroads are cool. ;-)

[@BoxcarJerry]

You're so right about learning from your mistakes. I enjoy watching you share your craft , the videos always go by so fast no matter the length .

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you so much!

[@marztube6158]

Just one word... "Bloody Marvelous" 🤪

[@boomerdiorama]

It feels nautical now.

[@jdmodels1968]

That first 8 seconds of the video with the view along the slip looks stunning.

[@boomerdiorama]

Wait until you see the Towers and Barge piles in place. ;-)

[@jdmodels1968]

Looking forward to it.

[@harperlarry49]

I like it....a lot. It was cool to see you wipe away any mistakes and continue on. It was no big deal, just wipe and continue. Another nice thing about doing wet on wet. Nice update. Cheers - Larry.

[@boomerdiorama]

I wipe all the time. In fact I throw paint as well . . . lol. Cheers.

[@ronduz1281]

Great video Boomer, I just watched your video in The MRH mag on line. Everybody loves your work👍👍👍

[@boomerdiorama]

That's great. I hope the videos inspires other s to model.

[@robertsalido1232]

I have done a lot of water-erosion/damage effects to models. All though you did great with layering, I have had great success with dusting with baking soda and then using acrylic washes. The baking soda as it dries, crystalizes and the acrylic wash dries and molds with the crystallization of the acrylic medium/pigment, for uses on metallic bases. Still, excellent job.

[@boomerdiorama]

Tamiya XF-21 does the same thing you speak of as well.

[@MyFingerLakesRailwayLayout]

Had my first Happy Little Accident today - I pulled a Boomer Ross out of my hat. Brand new Rapido HO scale station wagon - So in the process of flat coating and applying Pan Pastels, somebody put a big fat thumbprint on Baby Blue's hood. Made me so mad. Tried to rub it off with IPA - I forgot about the reaction of IPA over flat coat - and I'm glad I did. Now I could have just shot some more flat coat and probably cleared things up - but wait - I'm starting to see some personality here. This car has been out in the sun way too long, and the paint is failing. YES! Faith works at so many levels... You don't always know exactly what's going to happen... Make tons of mistakes - Try stuff - Im *starting* to get it - Thanks man!

[@boomerdiorama]

I love it when that happens as you just described. Those little models are cool. Have you heard of Brekina (1/87 Scale) Models? I believe Otter Valley Trains stocks them, and some of them are awesome. Mostly European stuff but they are very good quality. Cheers.

[@frankbernard6819]

Excellent concrete coloring and weathering. Looks exactly like the concrete i see along the water. Thanks for another great video.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@brtree74]

Amazing work Boomer. I love the high water effects. So incredibly realistic.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you very much!

[@stl1321]

Amazing as always. Thanks for these vids.

[@boomerdiorama]

My pleasure!

[@bruceames6332]

SWEET !!!!!! I love this technique and the variations of color depth. Very impressive!!!!! Magnificent, Sir !!!! Thank You SO VERY MUCH, BOOMER. LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!! BRUCE in Minnesota

[@boomerdiorama]

You are very welcome.

[@OtterCreek]

Putting it on and taking it off!! Thanks for sharing Boomer!

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes sir! Cheers.

[@Tom-xe9iq]

You've nailed it! Patience and building the color up in layers looks great.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Tom-xe9iq]

@@boomerdiorama When I did watercolors years ago I realized that building up the color took patience and time. It's not "Shake and Bake" coloring. 40 years later those colors are still vibrant!

[@boomerdiorama]

@@Tom-xe9iq Water Color painting is the most difficult style to master. In fact, "Watercolor" was never considered to be a classical painting method. It was only used as a "field sketch" from tablets in order to capture tonal value and color so the artist could take it back to the studio and paint the scene with oils.

[@steverosko1732]

I continue to be amazed 😉

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. It's a fun project for sure.

[@vincenthuying98]

Absolutely love how you’ve shown your process of adding these layers. Although I didn’t try either Vallejo or Tamiya with this wet technique yet, I did experiment with a lot of cheap ass craft store acrylics. Must say it works just as well. Even tried the residue from my paint brush cup. Almost let it dry down and just added some gentle drops of water, before I started ‘stabbing.’ Amazing how that goopy mix still activates with this method. Produces very gentle in between tones. Definitely will make a stop at my fav model store to pick up some more Vallejo and Tamiya colors. Great vid, very much appreciate the sharing of your knowledge!

[@boomerdiorama]

You can achieve fantastic results with Craft paint as well.

[@Sardschka]

Outstanding, as always!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@rahoover427]

Another excellent tutorial, very nice results. You show B&W photos for most of these painting tutorials which I assume gives you tonal values, do you also have the color versions around for choosing paints colors? Cheers! Randy

[@boomerdiorama]

All the photos are color - yes. I use B&W to paint from because tonal values (as you accurately mentioned) are more important to me. I want to feel the color and not be driven by it. If that makes any sense . . . lol. Cheers.

[@Vman7757]

Wow! Well done. Wow.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@painter662]

Thank you. Your the first model builder to inspire my actual art out put. But that leads me to an idea and a request… maybe for a 1 off video or something like that… you use so many art supplies in unexpected ways on the models… do you think you could do a show or two focusing on the many supplies you truly like and how you use them generally. Rather than focusing on the model and introducing them as you go?

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for the idea! I have done similar features like you mention in past uploads. Go to videos and scroll back chronologically. Right now I am swamped with production schedule but I will consider your request down the road some. Cheers.

[@tomoconnell4235]

Very helpful Boomer thanks

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad to hear you gleaned something Tom. Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@wombatonabike6717]

Simply stunning. Have you ever applied paint to canvass?

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes indeed. I have in the past. I painted a few canvases and sold them. The problem is finding the time. One must choose a single medium, at times, to achieve certain accomplishments. I used to sculpt as well, which I miss the most. Thanks for sharing and asking. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@PeterTillman3]

Looks great Boomer - another triumph

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. It feels good.

[@DisVietVetUSA]

Amazing fantastic algea

[@boomerdiorama]

Good ol' water. ;-)

[@johnnyvscustomsgaragetassie.]

WOW!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. I need some "Seagulls" perched along the Pier. ;-)

[@gregbowenart]

Just curious… You demonstrate the use of washes, or glazes, thinning pigment with water (which especially works for the water marks). You have also used alcohol or oils for other pigments to create transparent layers. Have you also tried acrylic pigments thinned with glazing medium to achieve similar transparency? Your process is very similar to those used by renaissance painters with transparent oils. No instructor ever taught me this technique, for oils OR acrylics, in high school or college. However, I learned (am learning), on my own from books and practice, to apply with acrylic medium on canvas. Glazing medium increases transparency, and working time, without a reduction in intensity. There are also Golden’s OPEN products that behave more like oils. As always, great work (on model and videos)!

[@boomerdiorama]

I have used all the products you mentioned on this layout at some point. Especially the water on the river. They all have their place with each individual. When it comes to small surfaces, I like to use the hobby paint. I use Golden all the time as scenery paint and larger surfaces.

[@ericp6612]

Results turned out excellent! I have been using your track painting and weathering techniques and I have to say I am addicted to airbrush painting! I have tried your tree building technique and am having some trouble with getting good results, but it probably doesn’t help that I am trying to make n scale trees.

[@boomerdiorama]

N Scale is a challenge in almost every respect because the scale is so small.

[@ericp6612]

I am using 7mm static to start, maybe I should use 12

[@boomerdiorama]

@@ericp6612 I would try 12mm for sure. Make sure you pull alot of it off after it dries and then re-flock. You want to build a "branch" structure first.

[@ericp6612]

I will give that a try! Thanks

[@minigocreator]

I think it will be pleasant when u express the water stain🫠

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes indeed!

[@robertlussenburg1770]

Eb en vloed. Yes it is Dutch. See you! Cheers!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@randysrockandrollrailroad8207]

😊

[@boomerdiorama]

;-)

[@Howie2025]

What do you recommend for brushes. Do you have separate brushes for acrylics and oils?

[@boomerdiorama]

A stiffer brush is recommended for oils, unless you thin oil lot's. I generally use softer "synthetic" brushes for acrylics. The cheapest I can tolerate. ;-)

[@Castlebank_Sidings]

Great video as ever MrB. Learn something new every time BUT the music overpowered what you were saying sometimes (or maybe it's my hearing). None the less still another cracking video and love the results

[@FunWithHOScaleStuff]

I always turn on CC when watching. Very helpful.

[@Lancelot_Jago]

Have to agree with you @Andy Pannett Small win for us though, at least it was quality music and appropriate 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@boomerdiorama]

This video almost did not get published. Nothing went right about it really. So I am not surprised the music slipped through the edit track some how.

[@Castlebank_Sidings]

@@boomerdiorama I'm glad you still did it though as as ever it's still extremely informative and helpful. Nothing ever goes wrong as you once told us..... We just fail forward.

[@joelvale3887]

Don't forget the barnacles.

[@boomerdiorama]

I leave the barnacles for larger scales. ;-)

[@joelvale3887]

@@boomerdiorama I'm glad you are not a barnacle counter.

[@tohso31]

Boomer, apologies if this has been asked and answered...for the Vallejo washes, are you using plain tap water or distilled water? Do you add anything to the water to make it flow easier? Thanks in advance!

[@boomerdiorama]

I think it is a good idea to use distilled water as you say. I usually use tap water with a tiny drop of hand soap in the water.

[@tohso31]

@@boomerdiorama Thanks!

[@bnrailfannz8262]

Rather you try copying the real thing than I. Looks pretty darn close to my eyes :-)

[@boomerdiorama]

I am happy with it. I mean, after all it is only 1/87 scale. Frankly I would prefer 1/48 scale or larger for this kind of thing. Cheers.

[@68Jaguar420G]

Up until now I've loved all your painting techniques and results. This time though I don't see the results you do, especially on the slip side beams. It just looks like a dirty black stain that doesn't resemble the prototype tide markings. Sorry Boomer, just not feeling it this time.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sorry to disappoint you but I am O.k. with the whole deal! Cheers

[@68Jaguar420G]

@@boomerdiorama And ultimately the only opinion that matters on your layout is yours. I wouldn't say I'm disappointed, I just don't see it the same way you do as to me it is just grime build up.