First attempt at making trees

[acctingman1969]

Ok

My first attempt at making tree bases.

Using plasticard as a base with Durham's Wood Putty (this stuff is awesome).

Painted the base green, watered down PVA then static grass.

It's....OK, but any suggestions how to make the base look better?

Maybe sand/pva brushed on then painted then flocked?

[Charlie_]

Maybe sand/pva brushed on then painted then flocked?

That's a popular technique, but these days I prefer to texture with filler (spackle). You just paint it on, and making sure its not too wet, and nice and tacky, you stipple with an old brush. Doesn't look like much when wet, but when dried it comes out as a fantastic fine texture. Much easier than playing with sand. Then paint and drybrush up... Or paint and give it a dark wash.

Here's a vid of The Terrain Tutor texturing with this method...


Also, when flocking, you can make much more interesting 'grass' than just using one flock / static grass. Try mixing several together into a unique blend. Or do patches of a darker one first, then when thats dry, do a lighter one over all - the first one will add some nice visible dark patches.

[acctingman1969]

That's a popular technique, but these days I prefer to texture with filler (spackle). You just paint it on, and making sure its not too wet, and nice and tacky, you stipple with an old brush. Doesn't look like much when wet, but when dried it comes out as a fantastic fine texture. Much easier than playing with sand. Then paint and drybrush up... Or paint and give it a dark wash.

Here's a vid of The Terrain Tutor texturing with this method...


Also, when flocking, you can make much more interesting 'grass' than just using one flock / static grass. Try mixing several together into a unique blend. Or do patches of a darker one first, then when thats dry, do a lighter one over all - the first one will add some nice visible dark patches.

How about larger bases?

Would filler/spackle work for a base where I wanted 10+ trees?

Assuming you can drill using this material?

[Charlie_]

Would filler/spackle work for a base where I wanted 10+ trees?

Of course! Just today I textured a 2 foot by 4 foot terrain board with the stuff.

It also has the advantage over a PVA/sand mix that it will not cause so much warping.

[acctingman1969]

Just watched the Terrain Tutor's video. So, you just put a thin coat on! Very nice texture. Something my wood putty doesn't provide

Going to try and drill some holes in the wood putty base to see if that will work. I can't think of another way to get the trees in there and it's a PIA to flock it with trees on the base! 

[Peithetairos]

There is also the option to use real soil (over a bulk coat of acrylic caulking for instance or wood filler). Then decorate with leaves, brush and static grass to your hearts content. Looks like this: