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Static Grass

Collection describing how I put down static grass.
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Start with the Base
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Start with the Base

For my layout the base is real dirt that I picked up on a trip to Southern Colorado , near Mashall Pass. I took this dirt, sifted it into different groups and then baked the dirt to kill any seeds that might lay dormant. (This got me a strange look from my wife!)

Once I needed it, I would throw it into a scenery blender (aka cheap coffee grinder) and get the dirt down to a fine dust. I would take this dirt and mix in some smaller rocks to help simulate the high country terrain that I am modeling, where rocks were very prevalent.

I then add in some saw dust (where the trees might be) and a layer of ground up leaves, just to give the base a non-uniform look. You could probably add the dried leaves into the dirt if you would want to, it would be just used to help give the dirt some non-uniform look.

Once you are happy with your first layer, mix 50/50 of Matte Medium and water into a dropper (I used old glue bottles). Make sure to do wet water on your scenery so the glue can soak in. I use 90% isopropol alcohol in a spray bottle for this step (same when putting down my ballast or dirt for the track work).

scenerystatic grass

  • Start with the Base
  • After the base has dried, I start to work the first layer of static grass.  To do this I will apply full strength Matte Medium.  Using an old, smaller sized brush, I stipple around the scenery putting glue where I think it will represent the best for the scene.
  • Stippling
  • Throw it!
  • Pickup Tool
  • First layer down and picked up
  • More Done
  • Rounding the bend - First Grass Layer down
  • 2nd Layer down
  • Finishing the Scene before trees
  • Untitled photo
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