How to make a wheatfield? (1 Viewer)

[Spudee]

I am considering constructing a dio representing the attack by the 55th North Carolina Infantry (Davis' Brigade) on the extreme left of the Confederate line on day one of Gettysburg. Research by a fellow forum member suggests that during the early stages of the advance, the brigade was partially obscured when moving through a pasture area of long grass and wheat. I would like to capture that moment and would be interested in any ideas or suggestions on how to depict a field of summer wheat? Thank you all.

 

[Mitch]

I think there may be some market products which will replicate this but, I know of none that are really good. I have used the following in many dioramas for russian fields of wheat etc and, it does create a very effective scene.

I use a head of a brush (for sweeping yards etc) cut of the bristles with a pair of sharp scissors spray them the colour you want a yellowy brown and, then use a bag of sand from beach or play sand from kids shops and sit with superglue and dip the end of the bristle into the superglue then dip the tips into the sand. Its laborious work but, it makes a superb effect.

I am sure someone will come up with another way but, this is a tried and tested way and is very cost effective. I did a dio with a Tiger I in which was 36x36 which was mostly covered in wheat and it took me over two days three hours to do all the wheat from a brush head!!

I will try to dig out some pics of it and post them for you if it helps
Mitch

 

[theBaron]

Along with Mitch's technique, you might be able to use a coarser piece of hemp rope, unravelled and cut to length. It won't have the ears of grain on it, though, but depending on your scale, it might not matter.

If you're looking for a commercial product, you might want to have a look at Conrad Schulte's webshop, Fredericus Rex, www.fredericus-rex.de. Conny has a number of products for reproducing vegetation, and even if you don't order from him, you can get an idea of what's available.

I'd also try model railroad hobby shops and websites.

Also, you might be able to use the diorama mats that are out there. Some of the makers who are members here at TF make products like that, their names escape me, though. You can also get synthetic fur cloth matting at a fabric story, that could give you the same effect as the grass diorama mats, probably much cheaper, too. I think I owe a tip of the hat to George (Warrior) for that tip. The mats can be painted. The major drawback, again, is that they don't reproduce the ears of grain that you might want to reproduce, if the scale is large enough to see them.

Thinking of Mitch's tip about using the bristles of a straw broom or brush, I think that you might actually find whole grasses at the craft stores like Michael's or AC Moore, so it might be worth a trip to one of those, if you have one in your area, or to your nearest arts & crafts store.

Hope that all helps, prosit!
Brad

 

[Warrior]

You can also get synthetic fur cloth matting at a fabric story, that could give you the same effect as the grass diorama mats, probably much cheaper, too. I think I owe a tip of the hat to George (Warrior) for that tip. The mats can be painted.

I use Faux Fur, which can be bought at a fabrics store and then cut/shaved/painted as needed. The problem is this material is great for smaller scale figures such as the ones I collect (20mm in size),but not for larger scale figures................

 

[theBaron]

Thanks, George, I thought it was you who talked about that one with me.

 

[Spudee]

I think there may be some market products which will replicate this but, I know of none that are really good. I have used the following in many dioramas for russian fields of wheat etc and, it does create a very effective scene.

I use a head of a brush (for sweeping yards etc) cut of the bristles with a pair of sharp scissors spray them the colour you want a yellowy brown and, then use a bag of sand from beach or play sand from kids shops and sit with superglue and dip the end of the bristle into the superglue then dip the tips into the sand. Its laborious work but, it makes a superb effect.

I am sure someone will come up with another way but, this is a tried and tested way and is very cost effective. I did a dio with a Tiger I in which was 36x36 which was mostly covered in wheat and it took me over two days three hours to do all the wheat from a brush head!!

I will try to dig out some pics of it and post them for you if it helps
Mitch

G'day Mitch. I really like this innovative idea, especially adding the wheat grains by dipping the brush bristles in sand! It may take some time but as I am retired, I now have lots of that on my hands. Would love to see the photos if you can find them. Many thanks for your suggestion.

 

[Spudee]

Along with Mitch's technique, you might be able to use a coarser piece of hemp rope, unravelled and cut to length. It won't have the ears of grain on it, though, but depending on your scale, it might not matter.

If you're looking for a commercial product, you might want to have a look at Conrad Schulte's webshop, Fredericus Rex, www.fredericus-rex.de. Conny has a number of products for reproducing vegetation, and even if you don't order from him, you can get an idea of what's available.

I'd also try model railroad hobby shops and websites.

Also, you might be able to use the diorama mats that are out there. Some of the makers who are members here at TF make products like that, their names escape me, though. You can also get synthetic fur cloth matting at a fabric story, that could give you the same effect as the grass diorama mats, probably much cheaper, too. I think I owe a tip of the hat to George (Warrior) for that tip. The mats can be painted. The major drawback, again, is that they don't reproduce the ears of grain that you might want to reproduce, if the scale is large enough to see them.

Thinking of Mitch's tip about using the bristles of a straw broom or brush, I think that you might actually find whole grasses at the craft stores like Michael's or AC Moore, so it might be worth a trip to one of those, if you have one in your area, or to your nearest arts & crafts store.

Hope that all helps, prosit!
Brad

G'day Brad. I like Mitch's idea but will also look at other suggestions. I will be using FL's ACW Confederate line figures, 30 scale. Have had a quick look at Conrad Schulte's web site as suiggested and boy, does he have some lovely stuff. Have added him to my favourites for a closer look later today (Saturday morning down under). While we don't have the stores you suggest down our ways, I will see if I can pull them up on-line for a squiz. Thank you for your help, much appreciated.

 

[Cornwallis]

Not dissing anyone here and was almost certainly user error but I bought Fredericus Rex cornstalks and almost lost the will to live trying to assemble, needless to say I aborted and have the sickening feeling of wasting £15.00 as I bought the biggest pack.....

Here is a nice image of a wheatfield that I found using what looks like broom bristles - certainly makes a nice effect!

 

[Guy]

I am considering constructing a dio representing the attack by the 55th North Carolina Infantry (Davis' Brigade) on the extreme left of the Confederate line on day one of Gettysburg. Research by a fellow forum member suggests that during the early stages of the advance, the brigade was partially obscured when moving through a pasture area of long grass and wheat. I would like to capture that moment and would be interested in any ideas or suggestions on how to depict a field of summer wheat? Thank you all.

I always use broom bristles . Dip the far end into a mixture of white glue and water, then sprinkle with or dip in the grass used in HO train sceneries. Paint the lot in the appropriate colour .
guy

 

[Spudee]

Not dissing anyone here and was almost certainly user error but I bought Fredericus Rex cornstalks and almost lost the will to live trying to assemble, needless to say I aborted and have the sickening feeling of wasting £15.00 as I bought the biggest pack.....

Here is a nice image of a wheatfield that I found using what looks like broom bristles - certainly makes a nice effect!

G'day Cornwallis,

That does look a little like brush bristles but whatever, it looks just right. I can certainly understand your frustration at attempting to place lots (and LOTS) of individual cornstalks! Nice shot by the way. Gee, those blokes must have got awfully hot in that get-up!

 

[Spudee]

I always use broom bristles . Dip the far end into a mixture of white glue and water, then sprinkle with or dip in the grass used in HO train sceneries. Paint the lot in the appropriate colour .
guy

G'day Guy,

That also sounds like another great idea. And why is it that women always say that we wouldn't know our way around a broom?

 

[Fort-Stamford]

This easy to build wheat field kit features durable plastic stalks ready for harvest.Stalks are 7/16” (10mm) tall (HO scale). Maybe O Gauge scale is available.A perfect kit for the AG modeler.Approximately 50 plants are attached to each soil strip.May also be used to simulate tall golden weeds where dry grasses may appear.39 ¾" 100 cm sq. wheatfield equal to over 5000 3/8" 1 cm high plants. .5000 3/8" 2.5mm Wheat stalks approximatley in all!Directions:
(1) Paint the Heads of wheat with gold-yellow model color (not included).(2) Coat the wheat stalk tops/points with glue and deep them into golden flock material (not included) if you desire greater detail than painting.(3) Unfold the wheat stalk rows.(4) Straighten, twist and adjust stalks and leaves as necessary.(5) Paint base-plate with brown color (not included) and/or apply adhesive and sand.
Available at: http://www.advancedmodelrailroad.com/servlet/the-2076/SCENERY--dsh-WHEAT-FIELD--dsh-/Detail