How do you Model Sage Brush?

[Pan Marek]

OK, partners, anyone out there tried to model sage brush for your Old West table?
Scenic express makes some, but its beastly expensive.

Any thoughts for an easy, cheap homemade version?

[Golgotha]

Difficult one - two possible solutions both not ideal later in particular need painting the right sort of colour but at least https://www.geekgamingscenics.com/collections/lichen/products/reindeer-moss-icelandic-moss-natural

and normal tuft bushes repainted - one can likely find better-shaped ones but this sort of thing https://www.geekgamingscenics.com/collections/tufts/products/heather-6mm-self-adhesive-static-grass-tufts-x-100 could add more foliage

Apparently, the real plant is good for making model trees.

[Codsticker]

The foliage on sagebrush is pretty fine and the way the plant grows you could probably get away with using 8 or 10mm tufts, trimmed fairly flat across the top, as is (or add some fine foliage if you like).

[Golgotha]

There is also this which given the title and appearance may well help invoke that the terrain is full of sage brush see a Geek Villain game mat by Big Red To the Strongest mat here:

https://bigredbatshop.co.uk/collections/all/products/sagebrush-steppe-design-battle-mat-6-x-4-15cm-cross-grid

[snitcythedog]

My suggestion for larger sage bushes would be rubberized horse hair and flock.  Best way to attach the flock is a coat of clear Plastidip spray to apply the flock and then once dry another coat to set it in place so the flock does not shed. 

[Pan Marek]

Snitcy-
 
I think it would be a good idea too.  I saw your comment and photos about making heather.  One could to the same thing with
sage colored flock sold by Scenic Express.

The key problem:  I live in the states, and rubberized horsehair is not available here.  I'm jealous of you folks in the UK when I see it being used for terrain.  And even if there's a source I can order from the UK, shipping costs are now crazy.

[carlos marighela]

There is an alternative, albeit not quite as robust, to rubberised horse hair. Coconut fibre, obtained locally in hardware stores, craft stores and plant nurseries and most likely available in the Estados Unidos in similar outlets. It’s sold in bags to fill/ decorate planter pots for indoor plants. You can use it in a similar fashion to horsehair and once you have sprayed it with glue and/or varnish or dipped in latex it should be quite robust enough for gaming purposes.

[Cat]

There is an alternative, albeit not quite as robust, to rubberised horse hair. Coconut fibre, obtained locally in hardware stores, craft stores and plant nurseries and most likely available in the Estados Unidos in similar outlets. It’s sold in bags to fill/ decorate planter pots for indoor plants. You can use it in a similar fashion to horsehair and once you have sprayed it with glue and/or varnish or dipped in latex it should be quite robust enough for gaming purposes.

Here in states, coconut fibre is sold as 'coir' available as loose fibers or mats.

[Cacique Caribe]

Pan Marek
I’m in the USA, and this is the rubberized horse hair I use.  Maybe not for sage, but perhaps for denser brush … or even tree canopies.
Hope it helps.
Dan

https://www.onlinefabricstore.com/1-x-24-rubberized-hair-.htm

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9593487@N07/albums/72157707123698885

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9593487@N07/albums/72157709365896792

[Pan Marek]

Thanks!
You folks again illustrate just how essential LAF is.

[Cacique Caribe]

Glad to be of help!

It’s better when you tease the fibers out, loosening and opening them up a bit.

Dan

[Cubs]

I got these lovely spiky tufts from Bad Squiddo a few weeks back - they're available in different colours. They're pretty big for a base, but would look great on small scale scenics. Obviously you'd break the bank trying to model a board with them, but for smaller stuff they'd look posh.

[Pan Marek]

Cubs-
I've never gone to Bad Squiddo's site before.  Nice selection of tufts, and I saw the "spiky" ones.  But did I miss something?
For the "spiky" seemed confined to brown, green, beige and white.   I suppose one could spray paint them the desired "sage" color,
but they look like they'd be ruined by paint.

Good to know about this site!
Thanks

[Cubs]

Cubs-
I've never gone to Bad Squiddo's site before.  Nice selection of tufts, and I saw the "spiky" ones.  But did I miss something?
For the "spiky" seemed confined to brown, green, beige and white.   I suppose one could spray paint them the desired "sage" color,
but they look like they'd be ruined by paint.

Good to know about this site!
Thanks

I've got the green and it's quite dull, but I reckon a quick light dust-over with a white or grey spray would probably get you that flat colour without clogging up the texture.