Diorama Painting 101| Color Theory: Part 1

[@samh3029]

So much practical knowledge and experience is being shared. The one thing that detracts from so many model railroads I see is the excessive amount of color present. This diorama is the perfect example of less is more when it comes to color. Just great!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You Sam. Color theory sounds complicated at first but in the practical sense it really is simple. We often skip this fundamental and wonder why we struggle with getting it right, or at least passing the the eye test. Any successful oil painter will tell you, "It is all built up . . . layer after layer . . . after layer." We often rush things with " I want it now," because we are indoctrinated by consumerism.

[@Gaz3801]

Excellent explanation of paints, their application and how you achieve different tones. Looking forward to Part 2. Cheers, Gary.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You Gary. It is always a challenge to convey through social media what I would love to do in a classroom setting. I hope it helps those who are watching and listening. Cheers.

[@Gaz3801]

@@boomerdiorama Absolutely helping us modellers, that's why we watch and wait for your new videos !

[@JoeyBPhotography]

Looking forward to more!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You Joey. I love to share my experiences with the model community.

[@Castlebank_Sidings]

I'm still playing catch up with your videos. A man of many wise words and thoughts.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. Glad to hear you are enjoying the content. Cheers.

[@timothyjerry2455]

I really really need to learn these techniques! I’ve been modeling for 18 years and still struggling with COLOR! thanks for these videos!

[@boomerdiorama]

Keep practicing and it will come in it's own time . . . ;-)

[@RB55able]

Great video on paints and colour which can be applied to all facets of model finishing. I'm relatively new to model building and finishing but I have learned one of the keys to good finishing, as you pointed out, is thin coats and progressively building up those coats to the desired effect. Beautiful work, Boomer and very inspiring. Always look forward to your videos.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You Ralph. Glad to hear from you by the way! Cheers.

[@rafaelvoncina6036]

You couldn't start off my day better if you tried. I'm trying out your layered approach already. Also, it is totally true when you write about fear binding us. We tend to hold back not to mess up a model or just because we've "always done it like that". Comfort zone. Another point is using a basic pallet of tones to bring everything together. One of the houses on a diorama I built to steady my nerves before filming a movie was originaly painted pink. But it looked out of place compared to the others in the street and the pier below it. I put on a reddish-brown oil filter to see what happens and it worked. Reddish brown was partly used as terrain base before applying static grass which again was different mixes. Yup, a basic pallet. That "therapy" diorama was all about using up separately built models, old materials and trying out new materials and ways of using them. Now. That movie flopped, but boy I had fun getting ready for it! So, thank you for another awarness lesson. Most appreciated.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you for the thoughtful comments Rafael. I learned at a very young age that very thin earth and umber tone is in everything. Another term for this is a "filter" applied as a super thin wash or glaze over a model. Shadows are never black as we assume. They are a variation of the associated color in the absence of light.

[@lilactreehouse]

Thanks for the plug...I actually do use recipes, but I veer off a lot.

[@boomerdiorama]

. . . and I am the privileged soul to be blessed by them! - Boomer.

[@FunWithHOScaleStuff]

Your passion is infectious. Thanks.

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad to hear it! ;-)

[@Weesel71]

The alcohol tip is priceless. Thanks!!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad to hear it is well received. Not sure Tamiya likes me much though . . . Cheers.

[@MLWQC]

Great video again. good point with the alcohol. Your are totally right. Great weathering and painting tips.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you for your support and encouragement. Cheers.

[@MLWQC]

@@boomerdiorama You are the expert , your work is fantastic. I enjoy your video a lot. Keep them coming

[@cbrailroader642]

Looking forward to it!

[@boomerdiorama]

I uploaded this for those who were patiently waiting through the locomotive series. Cheers.

[@davestrains6816]

Nice tips, I can tell I will enjoy this series.

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad to hear it!

[@mikefronczek7862]

what a great series, really explains your painting methods, i was confused about when to use Tamiya vs water washes, also Boomer i found picture of a young man painting a mountain back drop, when you and the crew worked at the museum, is that you.

[@boomerdiorama]

Not sure about the pic you refer to. You can mix water with Tamiya as well.😁

[@PeterCPRail8748]

I fully agree, doing things in lite layering goes along way in the end.

[@boomerdiorama]

It sure does. Many classical oil paintings were done in a similar way. Cheers.

[@schadowolf]

Amazing, I am learning so much from this mini-series already!

[@boomerdiorama]

😁

[@frankhellman6879]

Great info. I have much to learn and years of practice to go.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You Frank. We all have a way to go . . . It never ends really when you think about it.

[@thomasmcnay4564]

So true, faith is freedom!

[@boomerdiorama]

Amen!

[@toddshryock1634]

Fantastic detail and painting on your layout. Did you airbrush your track in place or do it at the bench and then install? The rail color looks perfect - which of the browns - or what mix - did you use for the rail?

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You. Initially I spray bombed the raw track outside with any brown really. The rail color is a combination of black and brown suite to taste. Rail varies in color from mainline to branch line to yards, so I added a little more red brown to suggest branch-line yard-throat look. Try Black (Tamiya XF-1) and Hull Red ( XF-9) (50/50 ratio) for starters . . . you can`t go wrong either way really. Then I picked out random ties with a thin wash/or spray with flat earth (XF-52) and the odd tie with thinned black (XF-1). If you are using an airbrush the trick is in close with low pressure and very thin paint. Cheers.

[@danielsalas9201]

Thanks for sharing

[@boomerdiorama]

You are welcome. It`s nice to fill the void here on the layout finally.

[@Vman7757]

Thank you for sharing. I can't find the colors you use. I need to find someone who sells these colors in my area. Tamiya's web site was out of the colors you point out. I guess I can wait until they restock. The colors I do have are reacting in just what you said. Thanks again. Keep up the good work.

[@boomerdiorama]

You should be able to acquire Tamiya Acrylic Paint from almost any hobby shop Vincent. It has been around for over 25 years.

[@Vman7757]

@@boomerdiorama Yeah I know. I have some. Many many shops have closed because of Covid. We went for 33 Hobby shops to two in my area. And if it keeps up maybe one. So I am at this time having a hard time finding the colors I want.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@Vman7757 Right. Same around here sometimes.

[@Vman7757]

@@boomerdiorama A funny thing happened on the way to the forum. I found a Hobby shop near me called Viking hobbies. 713 El Camino Ave, Carmichael, CA 95608, Phone: [phone]. They have been around for over 50 years. I have been there years ago and they were still there. They had some 30 colors I wanted. They did not have white. But counting my blessings. They could use some love.

[@brianthompson7362]

Hi Boomer thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. Can I use 90% IPA with Tamiya acrylics or will the 10% water cause issues? I wish I had seen your videos before purchasing a 4 bar "cheesy airbrush" compressor :-( A full list of the Tamiya acrylics that you use and their key applications would be very useful.

[@boomerdiorama]

You can use any strength of IPA with Tamiya. In fact, you can thin with straight water if you desire. I use all the colors of Tamiya eventually. So as to not overwhelm you. I would start with Flat White, Flat Black, Flat Earth, Flat Red Brown, Flat Red, Flat Blue, Flat Yellow, and Flat Flesh.😁

[@brianthompson7362]

@@boomerdiorama Thank you

[@mikefronczek7862]

blue knit cap

[@boomerdiorama]

;-)

[@TheLocutus70]

That fence looks like a wooden fence with that ugly green moss growing on it. [To me anyway.]

[@boomerdiorama]

It does look weathered for sure.