Begin by gluing the castings into place then come back and add the vintage signs. These signs
represent porcelain and enamel advertising signs and were very thick and sturdy. They are not
intended to be “painted” onto the siding. Cut them off the sheet carefully and paint the rim
as described earlier. Dip the very tip of a fresh new #11 blade into the paint then drill a tiny
hole in each corner of the sign. If you look closely at the photographs you will be able to spot
this hole. Use a few drops of plain white glue to affix them to the wall. There are layered signs
included, just cut them off the sheet and glue them as pictured on this page. They are extra
realistic and look terrific.

Once the castings and signs have been added, weeds and tall grass are layered into the
scene. Weeds can be made from lichen, moss, ground foam, etc… A trip to the local art supply
superstore and a walk down the floral aisle will yield many plants with suitably small twigs
and flowers that would represent weeds of varying types quite nicely. Just keep it subtle, in
size, form, and color!

Notice the oil stain under the gas pump. It is created in the same manner as the oil on the
boilers foundation. Let a drop of Polly Oily Black fall near the the pump then drip plain rubbing
alcohol on the paint to make it spread out naturally. As mentioned earlier make tire tracks and
ruts in the road then add the oil drips down the center in the same manner as just described.
Once the dirt is completely dry come back with a very light shade of dirt or light tan chalk powder
and a very soft brush and make the stains appear more subtle. Insure a smooth transition
from the center of the stain outward to just plain unstained dirt. Cut the newspapers off the
smaller sign sheet, brush a little alcohol ink stain on, then fold and place as desired.

The final component is the coarse ground cover added on top of the dirt. Notice the absence
of this material over the road and in in the center of the fenced in rear yard. Keep this type of
ground cover to a minimum in areas of medium to high traffic – foot or vehicle. I collected
“forest floor” materials from under large tress and ground the mostly bark and twigs up in a
small food processor. Sprinkle it liberally around the diorama where appropriate, especially
near the woodpile. A little of the white glue and water mixture may be applied over the top to
insure it is affixed properly.

A view of the rear corner with the extra heavy layer of natural ground cover around the tank,
woodpile, and rear of fence.

The small cutting scene is a nice one and simple to create. Glue the stump in place from the
same branches used to make the woodpile then scatter the smaller pieces of wood naturally
around it. Apply more of the white glue and water mixture on top to affix it in permanently in
place. The axe completes the little scene.

The dirt in the rear yard is smooth and flat with the years of foot traffic it would have seen.
Bits and scraps of paper, wire, and wood may be added to areas like this under the workbench
if desired.

The boiler, drum pile, and MACK truck hood are heavily rusted with oil stains and ground cover
sprinkled on and around them. Notice the extra bottles and cans littered about in various
areas. Smaller details like the bottles are better served layered in small groups near larger
castings like the boiler. Here they provide added emphasis and detail.

The rusty old discarded pipes are tucked away behind the boiler against the fence. Note the
way the ground cover and weeds obscure much of their presence. Hidden details like this are
fun to discover and create. Extra brass tubes have been included to create this scene. Once
the boiler and mill engine have been connected use the leftover pipes and come back to make
the pile. The empty large drum has been filled with epoxy to represent water and a few pipe
scraps added for good measure.

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