How to make bushes/shrubs for your dioramas (1 Viewer)

[mestell]

As many of you know, there are many retail and on-line sources for diorama foliage, grasses, trees, bushes, and shrubs. All of these sources have a wide variety of foliage products in assorted colors that can bring to life your toy soldier display. However, although excellently made, these resources can be spendy.

To help supplement my foliage I also make my own bushes and shrubs at a fraction of the cost of those commercially made and still maintaining the visual impact desired.

So, with that said, I thought I would attempt to post a tutorial on how I make my diorama bushes and shrubs.

Mike

#1 - Materials/supplies needed: Tweezers, finger nail clipper or small scissors, wax paper, white glue that will dry to a clear matte finish, and a supply of preferred dried foliage.



Here I am using the foliage from a discarded H&A tree that I no longer use. The tree was made years ago for me by Ken Osen. I am not quite sure what the foliage is but it's similar to dried Baby's Breath or Broom Bloom.

 

[mestell]

#2 - Place a small finger nail size pool of glue on the wax paper and let it rest for a few minutes to allow it to thicken up a little bit. Start triming your dried foliage to the desired size you want.



#3 - Once the glue has set up a little bit, start placing small bits of foliage around the circumference of the glue as well as it's surface area. This will help to cover/mask the glue base on the bush when finished.



Sometimes it helps to use a small stick to lightly push these small bits into the glue to ensure good contact.

 

[mestell]

#4 - Once the base of the glue is covered with the small foliage bits start inserting taller pieces into the glue starting in the center and working out. Use taller pieces in the center and gradually tapper the height down as you work out. I find finger nail clippers to be very handing for trimming the foliage I using to the desired length/height as well as tweezers vs big fat fingers to place the branches. Keep filling the glue mound until you are satisfied with the fullness and shape of the bush.

 

[mestell]

#5 - Use your imagination to make different shapes. Bushes aren't all around in shape.

 

[mestell]

#6 - Once finished, sets your bushes aside and let thoroughly dry for at least 24 hours. Your patience will be rewarded.



#7 - When dry, carefully peel the bush off of the wax paper.







#8 - The bottom of the dried glue provides a nice attachment base. Just apply a fresh drop of adhesive to it and stick the bush onto your display base where needed.

 

[mestell]

An example of the finished result:

Mike

 

[mestell]

FOOTNOTE: The dried foliage I used in this tutorial is commonly call Sugar Bush by hobbyists. However, I understand that it's proper name is Pepper bush.

Mike