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I bought myself a static grass applicator that arrived today (yes, I already zapped myself) and I've been experimenting and watching videos. In everything I've seen people build up their layers one length at a time - first 1mm, then 2mm, then maybe 4mm (I'm in N gauge), with drying time and coating with layering spray between layers.
So I was wondering: why not do a mix of lengths and colors all at once? It seems like that would give lots of random variation. And then maybe go over again if I want specific areas to be different colors or lengths.
I have some static grass material leftover from a diorama (it's Woodland Scenic's field grass, about 3" long) and was thinking that I could snip it into lengths from 1mm to about 3mm, all mixed up together, and apply that together. Am I missing anything?
I have some static grass material leftover from a diorama (it's Woodland Scenic's field grass, about 3" long) and was thinking that I could snip it into lengths from 1mm to about 3mm, all mixed up together, and apply that together. Am I missing anything?
The answer to the last part is that it takes forever to snip it into suitable lengths, it turns out.
I sometimes mix 3,4,&6mm. I also will apply the tall stuff first, lightly vacuum up the stuff that didn't stick (this also stands stuff up), then immediately apply a shorter product of a different shade. Sometimes I will even sprinkle an extra fine dark green turf to the visible adhesive.
You can see the color and length variation.
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
If you layer, you can build a base of one color (green shoots at the bottom)
Plus, you're building the other layers taller, because you're not getting every stalk to touch the "ground" beneath.
There's a lot of experimenting to find the look you want for each section. Don't be afraid to practice on some painted scraps of foam or plaster.
If you layer, you can build a base of one color (green shoots at the bottom)
Plus, you're building the other layers taller, because you're not getting every stalk to touch the "ground" beneath.
There's a lot of experimenting to find the look you want for each section. Don't be afraid to practice on some painted scraps of foam or plaster.
Fortunately I have several painted scraps of foam from what would have been a tunnel had I measured correctly the first time ;-)
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