What's is it about a scale model that makes it a convincing replica of a full size subject?
The simple answer is that there is no simple answer. Several aspects of the model all need to be "correct" for the model to work as a miniature of the real world.

Proportion may be the most obvious consideration. A 40ft Boxcar will look rather odd, if shortened by 5 or 10 feet with height and width maintained. The distortion of length will be unacceptable and the model will be out of scale to the eye. Before you break out your scale ruler consider this apparent proportion oddity: A mature tree at a scale 75-85 feet high is probably going to look too tall and perhaps too wide even with correct proportions. Why the difference?

Context is the answer. The boxcar dimensions are in the same context. The brain visually compares length, width and height of the boxcar to expectations of what is seen in the real world. When the minds eye evaluates a tree, the context goes beyond the tree itself. It is seen in the context of the world around it, which in virtually all scale modeling instances is significantly compressed. There are fewer structures, and they are most likely compressed. The area of the scene is compressed and the "correct" tree height seems too large. This is especially apparent on a small model. On a large model full size trees can be convincing but still need to be distanced from compressed structures or scenes.

Texture has scale. Water has a texture that is inconsistent with smaller scales. If sold at your local hobby shop, water would be labeled for G scale (and that's a stretch). It simply does not work in small scales. Thankfully there is Envirotex® because real water does not shape itself realistically. Ripples or waves move too quickly and do not form, crest, and disipate in the scale context. Flowing water on a HO scale model is going to look toy like and there is nothing that can be done about it. Of course the most abundant texture on a model railroad is dirt and grass. Care must be taken or dirt roads can look like an obstacle course for the rocks and boulders. Fortunately there is a broad spectrum of textures and color available for grass and dirt. Be sure to select the correct scale visually, and don't always depend on the package label. Usually, smaller is better.

Color has scale as well. Scale is attained by using colors in depth. A lawn is the best example where color is often shown at its worst. A single color of green is out of scale. It simply does not convince the minds eye comparison to the real world. A lawn (or meadow, or forest, or tree) is made up of many hundreds of colors. A convincing scale model will need to use at least four or five shades of color to be in color scale. The hundreds of colors in nature are not needed, but careful blending of several is yet another form of "compression" in scale modeling.

Proportion, Context, Texture, and Color, are all elements of scale. These are the tools of the scale modeling artist. It is the careful manipulation of these elements that makes scale modeling a challenge, and FUN!

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