Palm Trees - Feedback (3 Viewers)

[davidroman]

Hi Everyone - This is my first attempt at making palm trees. I know I have some way to go. I have created basically two differnt kinds. One is fully painted (the smaller one) and the larger two are completely unpainted. The very small one is not mine (its a JTT Enterprises). Seeing them in photos makes a huge difference - I already see some things to change. If I can get some feed back on what people think of these I'd really appreciate it. I want to make it so when I photo them they look as real as possible - I have not yet figured out all the details yet - but it took me FOREVER to paint the smaller one - a couple of nights watching reruns of Spartacus and The Pacific.

I have to post a few messages to gett all the images up. - Thanks everyone! David

 

[davidroman]

Here are some more images.

 

[davidroman]

Last set. If anyone has questions please ask.

Thanks

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Boy they look **** hot to me and think you did a great job on them.Simmo.

 

[wayne556517]

Im with you Simmo they look **** hot to me to.............

 

[Wraith]

No questions, just admiration for a job well done. They look hotter than a very hot thing, on a particularly hot day.

Great work.

Simon

 

[Andanna]

Outstanding job. Better than any you can purchase.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Very nice, you have done a great job with them. !!!

 

[Panzer]

Well done! They look very realistic!
Semper Fi!
Rick

 

[theBaron]

Very well done! May I ask what you used for the fronds, and to make the trunks? They look very good.

Prost!
Brad

 

[davidroman]

Very well done! May I ask what you used for the fronds, and to make the trunks? They look very good.

Prost!
Brad

Hi Brad - Sure.

I used fronds that one can buy at Michaels or I think A.C. Moore. They are in their "silk flower" section. they are for floral displays. You have to be cut and glue inot the top of your tree. For the smaller tree i had to paint those fronds because I did notlike the color. The trunk I used a florists wire wrapped in "Rafia" paper on both the SMALL TREE and the larger ones. I wrapped it winding down in an overlapping way. The SMALL TREE I than painted and glued some other materials including that cocunut hair looking small dried brown grass or paper. You have to cut that stuff up small. Also used some medium grade sand or pebbles from the hobby shop - glued around the trunk for some texture.

On the LARGE ONES ONLY over the Rafia paper I used several long blades of dried grass - I got it in the dried plant section at Michaels and you have to buy it as part of another bundle. They dont sell it on its own. I would look around your home and see if you can find some tall Pampas grass and try that. youll have to glycerin it though so it does not rot. But the grass from Michaels is not too pliable its stiff and breaks/tears easy so I had to soak it overnight - then using hotglue to atttach at the top, press hold and wait awhile. Then wrap it around downward in an overlapping motion. Whenever it teared I had to hot glue that strand and hold and wait for it to stay. This I found to look the most real and best. - I HOPE THiS IS CLEAR.

David

 

[davidroman]

Thanks for all the positive feedback. Im thrilled. Its very inspiring to get such great comments. If there is anything you guys think I should improve on with them let me know too. Like are they too tall? The trunks need work? The fronds OK or too long? Are the flowers on them alright? Etc. One of my freinds came over and wanted to buy one - that made me feel real good.

THANK YOU AGAIN, you guys are great

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Thank you for posting them.Simmo.

 

[Mardasson]

Hi David,
Great work !
The frond of the taller one are just perfect.
I've myself tried to make some scratch built palm trees but without much success
Congratulations for your work
Michel

 

[davidroman]

Hi Again - Thank you everyone for the feedback. Here are photos of the finished palms. I made bases: setting the palms in clay for permanant stability. I "painted" the bases with real sand, put rocks/shoots on the bases as well. I also redid some of the fronds, dried fronds, and flowers on them. any feedback? Thanks!

 

[davidroman]

Hi Again - Thank you everyone for the feedback. Here are photos of the finished palms. I made bases: setting the palms in clay for permanant stability. I "painted" the bases with real sand, put rocks/shoots on the bases as well. I also redid some of the fronds, dried fronds, and flowers on them. any feedback? Thanks!