A model railway layout is greatly enhanced by a good back scene - if a modeller is prepared to go to great lengths to achieve realism in the locomotives, rolling stock and buildings, this should be carried through to the scenics. This book is a comprehensive guide for both railway and diorama modellers to create convincing back scenes. It covers choosing the right materials; rural and urban back scenes; traditional painted back scenes; producing back scenes with camera and/or computer; the correct use of forced perspective and scale reduction; getting the transition from layout to back scene right and, finally, lighting and presentation. Aimed at all modellers, especially but not exclusively railway modellers, and superbly illustrated with over 300 colour photographs and diagrams.

David Wright trained as a commercial artist and illustrator, and has over forty years of experience under his belt. It is this experience in the visual field that has led David to apply those illustrative skills towards showing how simple, but effective back scenes can be painted, even by the complete novice. He is well known in the railway modelling world and has written widely in the railway modelling press. This is his fifth railway modelling book for Crowood.