Best and most realistic method for making a plowed field (1 Viewer)

[Cornwallis]

I am toying with the idea of making part of my diorama a plowed field with rows of crops.

I would appreciate some advice from some of the terrain wizards on here as how to produce this realistically.

Now I know you cannot get anymore realistic than using real dirt / compost, however I am concerned about possible detrimental affects to the paintwork of the figure if standing them in real dirt (well up to the ankles / shins). Is this an unfounded concern?

I think the affect in the attached picture is good!

 

[1879fanatic]

Cornwallis,
What a great idea for a dio! I think the only concern to using real dirt, besides inhaling or ingesting, would be moisture level. I think you couls scree the dirt out finely, the pop the pan into an oven at 150-180degreesF for about an hour. That would get the moisture out that might affect the finish on the figures, and also any bad things that might be in the soil. I say go forth and try it!
Mike

 

[thebritfarmer]

You could also try the same with used coffee grinds. I am not sure if they will stain the figures. I know a few of my friends who have farm dioramas use coffee for their plowed fields. I would also try a model railway shop as they have all kinds of scenic stuff. I believe Ken Osen (Hudson & Allen Studios also sells dirt/mud)

http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/detail.aspx?ID=3282

http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/detail.aspx?ID=3849

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi There!
I would not worry too much about the dirt if it is sifted and well dried first. When I use real soil I dry it in the oven as suggested, even if I later use white glue and water to bond it to a diorama. Of course it is abrasive...but you are just setting the figures into it so that really shouldn't be a problem.
I too have used coffee grounds in the past and it can look good for fresh loam...this is an old model railroading trick from the late 1930s. Ground foam can look fine but a stiff breeze will make it blow everywhere if it is not fixed in place.

Also remember that Eighteenth and Nineteenth century fields would have a different appearance than our modern fields too.

Things like corn were planted in mounds in an open grid pattern and it was not uncommon to plant a second crop such as squash with it to help weed control and maximize the yield of the acreage. On occasion a third item could be introduced and the popular combination of Beans, Corn and Pumpkins got the nickname of 'The Three Sisters'.
This is how massed troops could move through plannet fields as so many accounts mention. You could never move that way in a modern feild of corn.

If you are modeling a fresh plowed field remember that the ends where the oxen or horses turn to do a return are disturbed and the plowing is not always done in rows.
Sometimes the best way to see this patterning is in a National Geographic. Some ariel or panoramic photographs of rural areas where animals are still used to cultivate will be a good guide for these timeless methods.
Good luck and have fun!
Ken

 

[theBaron]

I was thinking of Celluclay, and I just happened to see this thread over at Fine Scale Modelling's forum. It's the beginning of a dio based on a Bill Mauldin cartoon, with a jeep stuck in the mud:

http://cs.finescale.com/forums/1082412/ShowPost.aspx

You might want to consider using Celluclay/white glue, too.

Please let us see some in-progress pics, whatever you choose to use!

Prosit!
Brad

 

[mestell]

I was thinking of Celluclay, and I just happened to see this thread over at Fine Scale Modelling's forum. It's the beginning of a dio based on a Bill Mauldin cartoon, with a jeep stuck in the mud:

http://cs.finescale.com/forums/1082412/ShowPost.aspx

You might want to consider using Celluclay/white glue, too.

Please let us see some in-progress pics, whatever you choose to use!

Prosit!
Brad

I agree with you Brad. That's all I use (CelluClay) anymore for all my terrain features. It is so easy to use, light weight, durable, and the results never disappoint me.

Mike

 

[kilted vampire]

Woodland Scenics makes soil that is very acceptable for use with the figures. Coffee grounds for espresso would be could too. Make sure you use it for espresso first then dry it out. Coffee smell is great too.

 

[desk11desk12]

Hi There!
I would not worry too much about the dirt if it is sifted and well dried first. When I use real soil I dry it in the oven as suggested, even if I later use white glue and water to bond it to a diorama. Of course it is abrasive...but you are just setting the figures into it so that really shouldn't be a problem.
I too have used coffee grounds in the past and it can look good for fresh loam...this is an old model railroading trick from the late 1930s. Ground foam can look fine but a stiff breeze will make it blow everywhere if it is not fixed in place.

Also remember that Eighteenth and Nineteenth century fields would have a different appearance than our modern fields too.

Things like corn were planted in mounds in an open grid pattern and it was not uncommon to plant a second crop such as squash with it to help weed control and maximize the yield of the acreage. On occasion a third item could be introduced and the popular combination of Beans, Corn and Pumpkins got the nickname of 'The Three Sisters'.
This is how massed troops could move through plannet fields as so many accounts mention. You could never move that way in a modern feild of corn.

If you are modeling a fresh plowed field remember that the ends where the oxen or horses turn to do a return are disturbed and the plowing is not always done in rows.
Sometimes the best way to see this patterning is in a National Geographic. Some ariel or panoramic photographs of rural areas where animals are still used to cultivate will be a good guide for these timeless methods.
Good luck and have fun!
Ken

LOL, gees and I thought I was clever in figuring out the use of coffee grounds for soil. That's funny, people of doing this years I guess.

Carlos

 

[Cornwallis]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, I really do have some food for thought now.

Just out of interest I was doing a google search this morning and came across this soil for Bonsai Trees which also looks quite good for use with models!

 

[fishead19690]

You should check out this Eco Earth stuff! http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=1128477
Heres a link!
Its coconut husk fiber and makes great ground cover.Its used for snake and lizard bedding by pet stores. It looks like ruff dirt or even miniature mulch. You can pick up a big bag of the stuff for cheap money.
If you,ve seen any of my dioramas lately you,ve most likely seen it as ground cover.