Trees and Grass?? (1 Viewer)

[Bama Boy]

What are the best trees to get for a large diorama? Also, I have not gotten any of the mats. For a table as large as what I will set up, I'm not sure I could afford as many as it would take. Any thoughts on what I could do? When I had it set up before I used actually dirt and the static grass and things of that nature.

 

[Mitch]

Bama Boy...

We have a store in the UK called Boyes don't know if you have it but, it sells really cheap material and, the other day as my wife makes bears I nipped in to see what they had I have just bought some material which is green and is identical in backing etc to the stuff that some matts are made from The fake mohair on here looks exactly like grass and I am going to airbrush it and trim it to put tracks in it.

It cost me £3.95 for one metre so, as its on a roll (a fat metre) I bought ten metres so, you could do this and save yourself a huge amount of cash. I will post some picks of the finished matt when I get it done but, its a really good substitute

Tree's there is a firm called treemendous who sell products which, allow you to make your own www.treemendous.co.uk but, I am sure you will have similar things. It all helps to keep the costs down.
Mitch

 

[Iron Brigade]

What are the best trees to get for a large diorama? Also, I have not gotten any of the mats. For a table as large as what I will set up, I'm not sure I could afford as many as it would take. Any thoughts on what I could do? When I had it set up before I used actually dirt and the static grass and things of that nature.

Dear "Bama Boy":

For my dioramas I go to the local model rail road hobby store to get artificial dirt, grass & trees. If by chance you are trying to show a Sudan War, etc diorama(s) you should get a 25 pound of "PlayBox" sand that will cost only about $3.00 or so at a local Garden store. In at least one case where I had sand on the display table, but then I later wanted to convert over to have a diorama calling for grass I just left the sand there and placed the "grass" over the sand. The advantage being that I did not bother with removing all that sand and also the sand acts as a nice medium to "seat" the figures into place. Also, do not forget that you can use small stones & twigs from your yard outside your home for your dioramas as well.

"iron Brigade"

 

[thebritfarmer]

Dear "Bama Boy":

For my dioramas I go to the local model rail road hobby store to get artificial dirt, grass & trees. If by chance you are trying to show a Sudan War, etc diorama(s) you should get a 25 pound of "PlayBox" sand that will cost only about $3.00 or so at a local Garden store. In at least one case where I had sand on the display table, but then I later wanted to convert over to have a diorama calling for grass I just left the sand there and placed the "grass" over the sand. The advantage being that I did not bother with removing all that sand and also the sand acts as a nice medium to "seat" the figures into place. Also, do not forget that you can use small stones & twigs from your yard outside your home for your dioramas as well.

"iron Brigade"

That is a great tip, Thanks. I had never thought of doing that.

 

[Iron Brigade]

That is a great tip, Thanks. I had never thought of doing that.

Dear "The Brit Farmer":

Thanks for your comments on my diorama tips that I posted to the first posting by "Bama Boy". I also just remembered that when you have a "top heavy" figure standing or walking with a flag that tends to fall down often you can use a bit of "Tacky Wax" to the under side of the figure's base to get it to stay put. The tacky wax can be removed with ease should you need to do so at a some later date. "Department 56" sells an one oz plastic container for $2.50 USD. It can come in handy quite often!

"Iron Brigade"

 

[thebritfarmer]

Thanks once again. I have been meaning to pick up some of that tacky wax.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Ah, but Treefrog sells a 1 oz. Tacky Wax for $1.99 .

Cheers,

 

[thebritfarmer]

Ah, but Treefrog sells a 1 oz. Tacky Wax for $1.99 .

Cheers,

I meant to order some from you when I ordered my catalogue Next order I promise! I think to buy it over here it is $3.99.

 

[Iron Brigade]

Ah, but Treefrog sells a 1 oz. Tacky Wax for $1.99 .

Cheers,

Dear Shannon:

Jolly good! I saw and purchased a one Oz container of Tacky wax at the 2009 OTS Show in Schaumburg, IL. It was made by "BARD's" in Mundelein, IL, USA at $1.99.

"iron Brigade" /Gary

 

[Desertkiwi]

What are the best trees to get for a large diorama? Also, I have not gotten any of the mats. For a table as large as what I will set up, I'm not sure I could afford as many as it would take. Any thoughts on what I could do? When I had it set up before I used actually dirt and the static grass and things of that nature.

Also try "Woodland Scenic's" products mate, they have tree kits which allow you to make your own trees.....real easy to do with a little effort.

Another trick to make small trees big, is to "plant" them on a raised piece of terrain at varying heights, clustered together.

I've done this by glueing a contoured lump of polystyrene to a thin sheet of board/s. Then thrown woodland scenic ground cover products all over the polystyrene and lastly poked the trees into the polystyrene (no glue required), added some more groundcover and wow. Works a treat.

Have used alsorts of tress in this way with my K&C, Conte figures and it looks great plus it's nice and easy and you can move the boards around to suit your dio.

Cheers Toddy