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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Ironworker on April 30, 2008, 05:51:54 AM

Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Ironworker on April 30, 2008, 05:51:54 AM
Well just to prove the move hasn't compleatly shut down my wargame work I'm showing some WIPs from a project I started last night.  

I'm making some conifer using scouring pads as foilage.  This is not a new idea and in fact I'm using this article as a guideline.

http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/infopages/page462.html

However instead of using dowls or skewers or some other very straight objects I'm using wittled down twigs instead to give the trunks a more natural feel and shape.  

(http://pinphoto.tripod.com/natesmiscpics/Pine%20Trees/scruberpines101.jpg)

Here are the trunks for 20 trees.  Carved down and painted with a watered down brown paint.  

(http://pinphoto.tripod.com/natesmiscpics/Pine%20Trees/scruberpines103.jpg)

Here's a shot of the foliage going on.  I'm using Aleen's Tacky Glue instead of the super glue that was used in the article.  It dries clear.  

(http://pinphoto.tripod.com/natesmiscpics/Pine%20Trees/scruberpines104.jpg)

Here's the first compleated tree.  I've finished eight so far and I should have another two done by the time I turn in for the night.  I think they are going to look quite good as a group with the irregular trunks.
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Glitzer on April 30, 2008, 07:23:07 AM
Look great and are cheap, what do we want more?
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Malamute on April 30, 2008, 08:41:07 AM
Very effective, thanks for sharing. I would never have thought of using scouring pads as trees. :)
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Gluteus Maximus on April 30, 2008, 10:18:26 AM
Quote from: "Malamute"
Very effective, thanks for sharing. I would never have thought of using scouring pads as trees. :)


Yes, great idea!

I've used them for hedges & small bushes before, but never thought about trees either.
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Strand on April 30, 2008, 10:40:35 AM
The structure looks great, although I would add spray-on glue and a dip in my flock box to enhance the effect.
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Aaron on April 30, 2008, 01:17:51 PM
Very nicely done. I'll be copycatting as soon as I score a stack of scouring pads from the dollar store!
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: DRDHauser on April 30, 2008, 04:24:37 PM
Very cool idea; I'll be trying this shortly. Thanks!
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Ironworker on April 30, 2008, 04:52:26 PM
Quote from: "Strand"
The structure looks great, although I would add spray-on glue and a dip in my flock box to enhance the effect.


I don't like flocking anything other than small bases either on figures or terrain.  I really like my terrain to stand up to abuse and flock and turf and glue on foliage comes off too easily.  I am going to drybrush the trees with a lighter green to make the foliage pop a bit.  
Of course you methods may varry.  That's the nice thing about DIY projects.  Any enhancments or simplifications are up to the builder.
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Aaron on April 30, 2008, 05:03:21 PM
I have to say I don't think traditional flock would work well for most conifers (the kind with needles) anyway. Maybe some very short static grass would look the part, but I think the pad itself should look fine.

A big honking pile of yellow/brown static grass beneath the trees to represent shed needles would look great though.
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Ironworker on April 30, 2008, 06:55:18 PM
(http://pinphoto.tripod.com/natesmiscpics/Pine%20Trees/scruberpines105.jpg)

Here's a group shot of the 10 I finished last night.  I haven't yet drybrushed the lighter green and I may not for a while since most my paints are already at the other house.  I may decide to go pick up a bottle of cheap paint just to get them done but I haven't decided.  

I also haven't decided on basing them.  I've been basing my trees individually with the idea that I'm going to make some big forest bases to put them on later.  That way I can just move trees to allow room for blocks of ranked up troops or tanks or big monsters or whatever.  I don't want to make the bases too big though but I need them to be heavy enough to hold these trees up since they seem a bit top heavy.  I could base them in smaller groups of two, three, or four but that will impace their flexibility.
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Grimm on April 30, 2008, 06:58:00 PM
AHHHHHHH !! cool Idea !

must test these by my self .

Thanks Ironworker
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Ironworker on April 30, 2008, 07:03:41 PM
Quote from: "Grimm"
AHHHHHHH !! cool Idea !

must test these by my self .

Thanks Ironworker


Thanks Grimm.  Wish I could take credit for the origional idea.  Actually I'm pretty sure I came up with the idea of usign whittled down sticks instead of skewers while looking at some of your vegitation projects.  There just isn't anything like nature materials to give you that natural look.
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Grimm on April 30, 2008, 07:18:05 PM
Quote
There just isn't anything like nature materials to give you that natural look.


You say it.  :)
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: audrey on April 30, 2008, 09:51:45 PM
Wow, thanks for sharing. I think I am going to have a go at making some myself.
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: El Grego on May 01, 2008, 12:16:56 AM
A very useful adaptation of the original    8)

Looks easy enough that even I could do it - just need to get the hobby area cleared out again ...
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Malamute on May 01, 2008, 08:31:49 AM
They look even better when you lay them out as a group. Terrific idea :)
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: twrchtrwyth on May 02, 2008, 02:22:09 PM
Nice. 8)
Title: Scouring pad conifer trees
Post by: Ironworker on May 02, 2008, 03:35:21 PM
Well I was going to base these last night but then I realized my hot glue gun was at the other house.  I tried using my tacky glue but it didn't really have enough body to hold the trunks up.  At least I got the bases cut out....