Building A OO Gauge Model Railway: Modelling Techniques - Painting Embossed Brick Work

[@jamesgilbart2672]

Thanks for a very useful method! It really brings out the mortar layers in the brickwork.

[@GJChurchward]

Watching your tutorials is a great way to spend these days in isolation. Really inspiring.

[@GalgormHall]

Thank MC, I’m glad they are entertaining for you. Paul

[@Stevelikestrains]

You did an outstanding job with the weathering of this building, this is about as realistic as you can get when it comes to weathering, with the differentials/imperfections in the brick work. What kind and brand of glue did you use to assemble this building. Thank you

[@1A2Blueboy]

One of the best examples of this I have seen.

[@alimofidi432]

Very useful especially getting the brick line grout. It works on mildly embossed bricks

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks Ali, it works very well on all types of embossed brick. Paul

[@martinrandall3735]

One of the simpler but more effective techniques I've seen. The grey wash does really tone the bricks down and pull it all together - still leaving a realistic variation in colour. Red bricks rarely are all the same. Thanks for sharing.

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Martin. It’s not until the mortar coat is applied that you see the full effects of the technique. It can look quite stark before hand. You’re right too, rare to see a uniform brick colour on a building. Paul

[@christopherkingsland4604]

Your signal building looks so well done - very nostalgically realistic.

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks so much Chris. It was modelled on my local stations box, very much a labour of love but I am very proud of it. Paul

[@castlejunction1707]

Your video shows how simple but effective painting can be.....certainly wetting my appetite....thanks for sharing.....

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Castle Junction, I’m glad that came across. There’s no magic to the technique, just a little bit of planning and patience. Give it a go and see the results. Paul

[@ef7480]

Brilliant Paul. That signal box looks superb! ( efflorescence is the word you are looking for..ha ha)

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks Paul, I had to look that word up to see what it meant! It’s the right word but I may struggle to say it. 😂Paul

[@khrisabuid4315]

Never knew how to do it....I now do. Excellent tutorial!

[@GalgormHall]

Khris, its one of a number of techniques for painting brick. I like this method as its straightforward requiring just a bit of patience between paint coats. Paul

[@BrockwellLanemodelrailway]

Very useful, I shall remember this video next time I have some brickwork to paint. Thanks for posting.

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks for watching Brockwell, really appreciate it. Paul

[@Weesel71]

Very nice effect. I like the mixing of enamel and acrylic to get this effect. I'd not thought of using gray to pick out the mortar, its a nice touch. I suppose one could even use multiple gray shades to emphasis dirtiness of some areas over other. Thank you again.

[@GalgormHall]

The options are almost endless with this technique. All colours of brick can be replicated, mortar lines too and with a touch of weathering after you get that sense of dirt and added realism. Thanks for watching. Paul

[@MarkE-ICM0-4001]

Looks great and realistic

[@northwesttrainsmodels]

great tutorial, unbelievable transformation from the plasticy looking brick effect, thanks for sharing

[@GalgormHall]

North West Trains, thank you for the very kind comments, much appreciated. Paul

[@turnout999]

Thanks again for sharing Paul...😎🚒🚒

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Geoff. Paul

[@Wickford_N_Gauge]

Another cracking video Paul, and now I know where the Red Hand of Ulster comes from too, vigorous rubbing with the “Wet finger” 🤣🤣🤣 Looking forward to the next scratch build update 😉 Best wishes from County Wicklow 😎

[@GalgormHall]

Haha Paul and you thought it was political before. 😂. Paul

[@Wickford_N_Gauge]

Once you get on to the static grass you will have "green fingers" too :-)

[@MouldyRaspberry]

Lovely job Paul, the finished product looks incredibly realistic.

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you MR, appreciate the feedback as always. Paul

[@tonyslight826]

Very good indeed Paul you made a fine job of that.

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you so much Tony. Paul

[@madtony27]

Great for a newbie like me, thank you Paul.

[@GalgormHall]

I’m glad it’s been of help Tony. Paul

[@johncarvil498]

Looks great Paul. Great technique. Cheers John.

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you John, glad you enjoyed it. Paul

[@skel3110]

Great "How To" once again Paul, the finished walls look very realistic Cheers Steve

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks Steve, your comments are always appreciated. Paul

[@georgewyatt6712]

Hi Paul. Great video and a very good technic and shows great colours I remember the first house we bought in 1969 when we got married it was a new house and the bricks were similar colour to the brick you have just done. Well done Paul and thanks for sharing with us. Regards George...

[@GalgormHall]

Wow George, that close in similarity? I’ve done something right then! Thanks for the comments. Paul

[@SouthWesternModeller]

Great technique Paul. I will certainly come back to this video when I start some of my scratch build projects that feature brickwork.

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks Jamie, I look forward to seeing your work when you get to that stage. Not be long before you’re there with the rate your moving at! Paul

[@dewanenerison2875]

Man you made that look so simple and looks amazing

[@GalgormHall]

Hi Dawane, it’s a fairly simple technique that can be improved with practice. No thinning of the paint is done either before application. Paul

[@dewanenerison2875]

@@GalgormHall thats awesome and and thankyou for the response. Love the technique. Just getting back into building again

[@GalgormHall]

No problem Dawane. Good luck with your building work. Paul

[@vernongardner1958]

Hi, I've recently started building my first layout - some 55 years after having a secondhand trainset as a child. My first plastic kit is the Wills coal staithes and office but then I wondered how to paint the brickwork for a realistic effect. I had seen some videos over the past 2 years but couldn't recall them and a search led me to this. Just what I wanted. Thank you. I was particularly interested to learn the benefit of using an enamel base coat(s) but then doing the mortar with (effectively) an acrylic wash. You now have a new subscriber. :-)

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you very much Vernon for your kind words and subscription. Best of luck with your kit builds, they are fun to do and very rewarding too. Paul

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

As usual, thorough and well done. Top tips. 👍

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Anthony, glad you enjoyed it. Paul

[@daviemaclean61]

Just found you channel last week and immediately subscribed. Enjoying all your scratch building and I'll certainly be trying this painting technique

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Davie for subscribing, it’s really appreciated. Another episode of the scratch build will be our next week. Paul

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Very effective Paul! You have a good eye for color and tonal variations Best, John.

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks as always for your comments John. Paul

[@sjaakmcd1804]

Sir you are the best. Brilliant! Thank you for posting

[@GalgormHall]

You are too kind Sjaak, thank you so much. Paul

[@malcolmhodgson7540]

Very good Paul, the result looks realistic. Another great video. Thanks for your efforts. Regards Mal

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Malcolm. How’s those wagons going mate? Paul

[@malcolmhodgson7540]

Well still stuck in Gatwick till Friday this week then I can get back to some modelling over the weekend. Will keep you posted on their progress!

[@cheekytek]

Totally awesome effects - you are a genius - really superb look to the brick work Paul Blown away mate 😉👍 Nice one Garry

[@GalgormHall]

Keep it coming mate, I’m not going to get my head through the door now after those comments! 😂In all seriousness though, thank you very much for the generous and kind comments. Really appreciated. Regards. Paul

[@Elvenhome]

This looks very good Paul. As I've said before I really like your technique for getting the mottled effect on the brickwork to suggest varying patterns of wear and weathering. Stephen

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Stephen, I find the beauty of it is with two different colours you can achieve very different results across all manor of brick or stone. Paul

[@keithdenner9441]

Great work!

[@chrissyindge]

Wow...I have been trying different techniques and this is awesome. Quite a few tutorials out there but this is the best I have seen so far with brick. Great rustic and realistic look, great work and thanks for the info.... patience is the key I suppose... Chris

[@GalgormHall]

Wow, thanks Chris, that comment is really awesome. Patience is the key here, give plenty of time between the first and second costs of paint and don’t rush to far ahead when applying that second before blotting off. If it does goes wrong, a drop of white spirits may help to remove the error. Paul

[@jev2602]

Great demonstration Paul, really enjoyed the video 👍

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Jason for watching and commenting, really appreciate it. Paul

[@dr.plasticbrick]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rX_dpX-YirB1lbM

[@thescrapline4905]

Brilliant results Paul. Really getting into this little series. Don't fancy build me St David's station building? Nice and easy! 😆

[@GalgormHall]

Interesting that you’ve dropped that in there after my comment on your video this morning. We can come to an arrangement sure! In the meantime, you keep building and I’ll pick up the slack when I get a moment. 😜 Thanks Tim. Paul

[@leilacentral1883]

I love a good brick wall! The bricks with that variety of shades looks great. Makes me want to get my scratchbuild stuff even more just so I can paint brick. Clint

[@GalgormHall]

Nothing stopping you Clint, you’ve got the materials, you just need to find the time. Get building mate and show us your work. Paul

[@DungeWoodRailway]

Great Video Paul Thats another one into my how to section... Cheers Paul

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks Paul, it’s time you started using some of these!?😜 Appreciate the feedback as always mate. Paul

[@DungeWoodRailway]

I know, I've not touched the layout for a while though, I need a good clear out in the garage and then crack on with my hills and rocks.. I may build some houses at some point but not until I've done the main scenery. Just keep your videos coming lol Cheers Paul

[@MalcolmCrabbe]

Very realistic - nicely done

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Malcolm. Paul

[@BALD8BIL]

Again you have done a amazing job and video keep them coming

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you, a few more up my sleeve so stay tuned. 😉 Paul

[@trainsontuesday]

It's a good technique Paul and I always seem to pick up a few tips seeing someone else doing it. I'll be trying the kitchen scourer on my next one.

[@GalgormHall]

David, the scouter proved to be a great agitator. Glad you enjoyed it. Paul

[@normanrowe2831]

Nice technique! Thanks.

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Norman. Paul

[@dioramaluialexandru4201]

I'm watching you with great interest from Romania!

[@GalgormHall]

Wow! Romania, you could be the first from there tuning in to my channel and it’s very much appreciated. Paul

[@dr.plasticbrick]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rX_dpX-YirB1lbM

[@anthonyshipman3611]

Very useful video thank you. Will give this a try on the BRM terraced house kit.

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Anthony, if you are following my Facebook page I’d be interested in seeing your results. Paul

[@GalgormHall]

Incidentally, I’ve bought that same kit and intend to give it a build and paint to see how the laser card takes the application. Paul

[@anthonyshipman3611]

@@GalgormHall hi Paul, I am not on Facebook but I would like to see what you do with your kit, hope to start my one soon.

[@GalgormHall]

Anthony, I’ll hopefully cover it on a future update video. Paul

[@resourcesforcounsellingstu6218]

Fantastic...thanks

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Paul

[@onnomulder9775]

Long time no see!!! How are you Paul??

[@ralphviola6594]

Are there videos missing of the building made out of plastic brickwork. This one seems to be in the middle of the card stock build

[@GalgormHall]

Hi Ralph, no I’m afraid not. I didn’t do a step by step on this build. This particular video was more about painting techniques rather than kit building. I appreciate if watched between the scratch build series it could appear confusing, I really must file my videos in to designated lists. Paul

[@dewanenerison2875]

Are you diluting the paint at all

[@collectorsinfo]

Hi, thanks for the vid, after you finished your brick effects, do you seal with anything to protect from the weather ? Was going to spray my ones with a 50/50 water & SBR. Bit like PVA. ????

[@GalgormHall]

Hi Chris in answer to your question I don’t. A coat or two of a spray Matt varnish won’t do them any harm though and certainly would be needed if intending to use on outdoor layouts. Paul

[@1pjodan]

hello, thanks for the tips, what colour would you use for blue bricks?

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Ian, now you’ve got me thinking. I’m assuming you want to replicate something like Staffordshire blue brick in your toning? It’s a brick finish I’ve yet to replicate so some experimenting would need to be done to try and get the right colours. I think the base plasticard colour would need to be a grey or possible a brown would work too. On top of this I’d apply a dark blue, Revells Lufthansa Blue might suit. Once dry I’d then use a blue grey such as Humbrols RAF grey and it’s this coat that would be dabbed off with the kitchen paper. A final coat of a grey blue acrylic and rubbed off would hopefully help blend the colours and do your mortar joins. Like I say though, it would take a bit of experimenting with the colours to get right. Colour charts are great but until you open that paint and apply it it’s sometimes hard to see the real colour. Hope that helps though Ian. Paul

[@1pjodan]

Galgorm Hall thanks for taking the time to reply, I think I’ll order some blues including the ones you mentioned and like you say have a play, I’ve tried your method for the red brick and it works fantastic, thanks

[@anthonybradford1041]

Hi have you tried dry bushing at all on your building brickwork Anthony

[@GalgormHall]

Hi Anthony, I do use dry brushing on occasion yes. Paul

[@anthonybradford1041]

@@GalgormHall Hi Paul OK then Anthony

[@GalgormHall]

Was it something you wanted to see the process of or just a general query? Paul

[@anthonybradford1041]

@@GalgormHall no relay just giving a fow tips if I can help I have made lots of the ratio & wills kits in the past I don.t live very far from the factory I have been there I am into 0 gauge now Anthony

[@jeremyshotts3457]

That is brilliant. Quick question. You use enamels for the base layers and then acrylic for the mortar 'wash... Couild the same technique be applied using, say, acrylic for the base layer and watercolours for the wash...?

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Jeremy. Interesting question you pose. The reason I use enamels is that the thinners element mixed in with the paint helps to agitate the previously applied layer allowing you to reveal those other colour tones below. Acrylic won’t do that on it’s own. Perhaps by adding IPA to it the same effects can be achieved but having never tried it I can’t say for certain. Watercolours should work for the washes and may just need additional layers to build up the solidity of those colours to give the desired effect. I hope that’s of some help to you. Paul

[@jeremyshotts3457]

@@GalgormHall Thanks for the helpful and swift response. I only asked because I am relatively new to doing my own scenic work and have only got acrylics at the moment. That will be remedied shortly however! I remember as a kid all the paints we used on kits were enamels, but there has been a shift to acrylics since then. Acrylics don't seem to 'cover' as well to me anyway. But they are easier to work with in some ways I suppose... Looking forward to getting my first textured brickwork done! Cheers! Jeremy

[@GalgormHall]

@@jeremyshotts3457 all I ever used as a kid was the airfix/humbrol/Revell enamels and it’s been a bit of a learning curve moving to acrylic. You’re right on the coverage but they do allow for layering up much better than enamels ever did. Paul

[@jeremyshotts3457]

@@GalgormHall Just used your technique using acrylic on acrylic on a little PECO N gauge hut. I am thrilled with the outcome, though the wiping off ot the mortar wash took some of the prior acrylic colour layer with it. But it still looks great! Very pleased and next time I'll have my enamels for the lower layers so they'll have a bit more sticking power! Still a great result. Without it the hut would look pretty unconvincing. Thank you again!

[@47606odin]

top job

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you. Paul

[@bionicgeekgrrl]

Looking good. You need to take care mixing acrylics and enamel paints as some can react badly with each other. Might also find the grey easier to add and remove with a bit of thinner added.

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks for that. To date I’ve never had a problem with applying acrylic over enamel as long as the base coat is fully dry but I take your point and am aware of the potential problems. Paul

[@georgethomas7814]

Why do you dab and not rub the edges?? and why not thin the paint a little more with water

[@GalgormHall]

Hi George, I just find this process works for me and gives the results I’m looking for. Thinking the paint occasionally leaves it to runny and uncontrollable and the rubbing can be so vigorous on the paint. Paul

[@ManchesterOxfordGate]

Nice work. I’ve just put together my first scratch built structure, so will look to use this technique. For the mortar, would it help if the paint was more of a watered down wash?

[@GalgormHall]

Paul, I look forward to seeing that scratch build, you’ve kept that quiet. I’ve used a wash before to apply the mortar coat but have found it can be hit and miss and really needs built up in layers to get the desired effect. This option gives that all over coverage with a bit of a mess to boot. Can’t complain about that. 😜 Paul