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Looking for advice or recommendations about static grass


Gorby

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Last year I did my very first diorama, but the colour of the static grass completely spoiled the end result in my opinion. It was called 'Meadow Green' but looked anything but natural (it looks better in the photo than in reality).

 

352700-20442-61.jpg

 

Close up of the grass:

754779fc-13e7-46a3-bdbd-611fe4a75c06.JPG

 

I'm working on my second dio now, and as I'm putting in a lot more time and effort with this one, I don't want to screw it up this time. I've decided to go for a late summer/early autumn scene, so I'm looking for recommendations for more natural coloured static grass. I have quite a bit of the 'meadow green' stuff left, is there anything I could mix with it to make it look better, or do I need to buy something completely different? I also intend to mix different lengths so that it looks less mowed lawn-like.

I spent quite a bit of time looking around t'internet, and my brain feels like it's going to shut down if I give it one more option.

 

I quite like the look of this range:

https://www.modeldisplayproducts.co.uk/mininatursilflor

 

And 'Autumn Green' looks very good from 'Green-scenes'. It doesn't stated the quantity online so I gave them a call and the very pleasant bod I spoke to said that they don't supply it in weight, as most of the other do. For £3.95 you get one level plastic drink dispenser cup full. Unless it's 2mm grass, then it's a three quarters full cup.

http://www.green-scenes.co.uk/store?productlist-sort=created-desc&productlist-categories=flock-and-flocking-accessories&productlist-itemcount=20&productlist-search=

I've just noticed that the site is shown as 'not secure'.

 

Does anyone have any experience with these ranges or have any general suggestions regarding type or colour?

I'm happy to buy two or three packets or more to mix (different colours, lengths).

 

Thanks for looking – comments welcome.

 

Gorby.

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13 minutes ago, Gorby said:

And 'Autumn Green' looks very good from 'Green-scenes'. It doesn't stated the quantity online so I gave them a call and the very pleasant bod I spoke to said that they don't supply it in weight, as most of the other do. For £3.95 you get one level plastic drink dispenser cup full. Unless it's 2mm grass, then it's a three quarters full cup.

http://www.green-scenes.co.uk/store?productlist-sort=created-desc&productlist-categories=flock-and-flocking-accessories&productlist-itemcount=20&productlist-search=

I've just noticed that the site is shown as 'not secure'.

The "not secure" notice is because of the "http:" at the beginning of the URL, which connects without encryption. Change it to "https:" and you'll get a secure connection; this is indeed what you want if you're going to do any monetary transaction.

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Gorby,

have you looked in a railway specialist shop?

They seem to be the go to place, and you get to see

before you buy. Also, as a high proportion of railway layouts

are smaller scale than your doing, they'll be able to give advice.

Just a thought......

Paul

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19 minutes ago, PhoenixII said:

have you looked in a railway specialist shop?

Visit a shop?! Are you mad man?

Just had a look and the nearest specialist railway shop is Leamington, which feels like the other end of the earth when I have my lovely, easy, just in front of me internet. I may be going to Telford this year, do you know if there will be suppliers of static grass there? Although I'm not sure I can wait another month.

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I am by no means an expert on static grass, but I have used it some, so here are my two pennies worth. 

 

I think you are right about the need mix different colors and lengths. And you need not mix and apply all lengths at the same time. Get the short grass down first, apply more glue or whatever you use and come back and add the longer grass. Do not do it evenly but let some areas have the short grass only. When it comes to colors try to avoid the "greeny" green ones, as you have discovered. Moxes of stuff like Woodland Scenics Flock Burnt Grass and Flock Dark Green looks more natural in my eyes. Or why not try the Noch Long Grass Assortment set? Seems to include more or less everything you might need. And add some tufts in random spots.

 

These guys carry all the common brands of scenery material http://www.sceneryexpress.com/ 

 

This is also an "unsecure" connection (which does not mean the site harmful), but it might be that the site switches to a secure connection once you start purchasing. Many sites still do it like that. Anyway, you can always use this site as a place to scout around and then do your purchases somewhere else.

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Here's a couple of Demos I did on the ATF

Starting with Winsor & Newton Artisan water mixable oil colour 074: Burnt Sienna, 076: Burnt Umber, 317: Indian Red, 552: Raw Sienna and 744: Yellow Ochre
412640948.jpg

To which I add watered PVA.
412640949.jpg

Then sprinkle Javis Countryside Scenics JS17 Scatter Heath Green, JS32 Scatter Dark Brown, JS70 Scatter Summer Mixture and Expo Landscape Scenics 591-32 Autumn Flock
412640950.jpg

Then some static grass - Expo Landscape Scenics 591-83 Mid Green Scatter and Javis Countryside Scenics JHG1 Static Grass Spring Mix
412640951.jpg

And finally natural detritus.
412640952.jpg

 

I came across one of my old Bellona vac-formed diorama bases. After thirty-odd years it had become rather tatty and in need of some renovation to make it useable. Unfortunately, I didn't think about taking pictures when I started, so let me explain; one corner was totally missing and there were a couple of raised areas. I cut a piece of hardboard to size and I decided to pack these from below with expanded polystyrene all stuck down with PVA. The exposed pieces were coated with plaster of paris.
413647430.jpg
The existing vac form had been painted with enamels - no need to alter this as it will act as a base colour. When everything had dried and was set the plaster of paris was painted with burnt umber poster paint using the leopard spotting method.
413647429.jpg
413647432.jpg
I then brushed PVA over the base.
413647434.jpg
The thick coat was then ready for various ground scatters:

  • Grey stone
  • Ballast
  • Sand
  • Cork granules
  • Dried tea leaves
  • Mid-green scatter
  • Summer mix

413647435.jpg
A few sprigs of lichen were also added
413647436.jpg
413647437.jpg
This will be allowed to dry overnight before I shake off any loose scatter (and recycle it)

 

The thing is that nature isn't uniform, it's made up from lots of varied stuff :winkgrin:

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Thanks for the information and link @Svedberg . I did have a look at the Noch long grass set, but unfortunately is about three times my grass budget. There are an amazing amount of options on Scenic Express, so I'll have a look later.

 

Thanks for taking the time to do that @Ratch, it's a very interesting effect you have managed to achieve.


 

12 hours ago, PhoenixII said:

Come on, admit it, you just like hobnobing with the toffs!

Have you been to Leamington recently? It's got more in common with these Royals now:

65f1276b-6194-4470-893a-434c5e7f7e18.png

Brum is about the same distance from where I live, but every couple of weeks they change all the roads, merely to annoy non Brummies, so best avoided.

 

Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to reply.

:thanks:

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