Static grass redux

[Hells_Clown]

I was wondering for those of you who use static grass on your bases (Anne  :p ): do you paint it? I got some burnt grass (or is it dead grass?) from Woodland Scenic and started using it on my bases but it still looks glossy and fake.  What's the secret?

 

On a similiar note, would anyone else like a How-To article on making nice scenery for bases besides me?

[Stern Kestrelmann]

HC-  Some things to keep in mind about static grass, they've helped me create some decent grass on my bases...

 

1. Use white glue

2. Do your base in small sections, otherwise the glue begins to dry before you can apply your grass.

3. Painting your static grass; Highlight the top of your grass with a nice bright green

4. Wait until your glue is completely dried before you highlight the grass.

5. Getting the grass to stand up;  You need to apply excess grass to the glued area, press lightly with a file, pencil tip, toothpick on that area, then gently blow off the excess grass.  The remaining grass should stand up for you.

 

Just my thoughts, hope this helps.

 

SK

[Enchantra]

First of all, check out the following post:

 

http://www.reapermini.com/cgi-bin....;t=2258

 

Secondly, do what Stern said, he has some good tips there.  Elmers glue, tacky glue, anything that is water based and dries clear is going to be your best bet.

 

Some people will also paint the area under where they are applying the grass.

[Stern Kestrelmann]

Some people will also paint the area under where they are applying the grass.

Hmm, I've not tried that one Enchantra...  So, you'd paint the area where you put the glue?

 

SK

[benhamtroll]

I generally do a coat of corn meal and then paint it with my ground color.  I then glue the grass over the top of that.  I've generally use CA glue for it, though.  I need to pick up some Aileen's and a bottle of white glue.

 

Do people just use Elmer's?  I'm assuming NOT the washable kind, but is general school glue sufficient?

[Enchantra]

Hmm, I've not tried that one Enchantra...  So, you'd paint the area where you put the glue?

Yes, under where you put the glue put in a base color of some variety, usually a deep shade of green.  Then wait for it to dry and apply your glue and static grass.

 

Ben-Yes elmers will work just fine, it can be school glue, afterall its not like you are going to be soaking the mini in water.  Alenes, Elmers, can all be thinned with water too if you feel it is to thick.

[Hells_Clown]

My typical basing goes like this:

 

I paint the base a ground color (usually a brown).  While the paint it still wet I put on a layer of dirt (Talus or something like that, looks like course dirt) then I use Woodland Scenic Modeling glue (basically Elmer's that's been watered down) and add the grass flock.  Then more glue and the static grass.  I do wait a while for the layers to dry, sometimes a day between each layer.  

 

Maybe it's a trick of the camera, but my bases don't have that realistic look that some of the ones I see here do.  I was wondering what they do differently.

[Vaitalla]

Sorry it took me a while to work my way around to the board again, HC...to get rid of that "glossy" effect on your static grass, all you need to do is the obvious:  Dullcote it.  :)

 

After it dulls, it'll look like real dried/dying grass.  If you want it lighter, lightly brush a little Ivory over the tops of the fibers.  If you want it darker (though I never do), you could also apply a wash at this stage.

 

--Anne

[Digital M@]

I have been using Zap for grass & all other ground cover on my bases.  Will using white glue work better?  If so, how?

[benhamtroll]

RE: Thinning glue

 

One of things I've liked about using the CA is I can mound it up and great clumps of grass really easily.  Does this technique cause problem when using white (PVA?) glues?

[Enchantra]

RE: Thinning glue

 

One of things I've liked about using the CA is I can mound it up and great clumps of grass really easily.  Does this technique cause problem when using white (PVA?) glues?

In my experience white glues like Elmer's tend to pool and spread out a bit, so I'm not sure how it would work for doing clumps.

[Hells_Clown]

Sorry it took me a while to work my way around to the board again, HC...to get rid of that "glossy" effect on your static grass, all you need to do is the obvious:  Dullcote it.  :)

 

After it dulls, it'll look like real dried/dying grass.  If you want it lighter, lightly brush a little Ivory over the tops of the fibers.  If you want it darker (though I never do), you could also apply a wash at this stage.

 

--Anne

I guess that's so simple it was difficult to think of.  

 

I've turned into a basing fool these days.  I spend almost as much time on them as I do the figure.   :p

 

I was beginning to worry about you Anne.  I thought you ran away screaming from all of us asking so many questions and what not.  Glad you're still around to help out.   :cool:

[Vaitalla]

Heya,

 

Yeah, I was gone because I was on a tight deadline with a couple of projects, and keeping up with the boards, though terribly fun, *does* soak up time!  

 

On the subject of PVA glue and static grass, I personally have never gotten PVA to work to any level I was happy with, but maybe that's just me.  :)

 

--Anne