Diorama Dilemma

Try using foam like model railroaders use. It can be carved and shaped and then painted. Then you could cover it with a fine coat of sand, followed by a spray of dilute white glue with a few drops of detergent in it as a wetting agent. If it was too shiny after drying, a quick coat of clear flat would tone it down.
The foam isn't styrofoam which made from little balls, it is a very fine grained foam that carves easily with knives and rasps.

I think he is referring to "piles" of sand that build up on the leading edges of the aircraft itself from sand in the air during flight and while parked on the ramp.

;)

If you are asking about drift sand around the base of a revetment (as I assume) then Holley has the right idea. check out www.woodlandscenics.com for ideas.

Holley thanks. Derek had it right about the drifts.

i have stuck lots of stuff to canvas with gesso (found in all art supply stores). Gesso is like "hodge podge". but way better. it can be purchased with different dried finishes (matte, gloss, semi-gloss) the matte finish takes acrylic, oil, gouge and even house paint very well.
mix the sand in the gesso and apply to any surface that is clean and free of oil. gesso can be built up either by successive layers or in a shallow mold. I haven't tried it in a deep mold yet.
the good thing about gesso as opposed to white glue is the perminance and resistance to moisture penetration and uplift that white glue is subject to.

i've stuck a lot of stuff on canvase with gesso. mix the sand directly in the gesso in small amounts (it dries quick) and apply with a brush, spatchula, stick or fingers. it can be found at all art supply store in quantities from 1/2 pint to gallon bottles. there are several thicknesses and dried finishes (matte, semi-gloss and gloss) gesso will hold the sand better than white glue and is not subject to moisture damage as white glue is. the finish surface of the gesso, including the gloss is formulated to be painted so it works well with oil, acrylic, gouge and poster paint.

good idea!!

QUOTE: Originally posted by Holley Try using foam like model railroaders use. It can be carved and shaped and then painted. Then you could cover it with a fine coat of sand, followed by a spray of dilute white glue with a few drops of detergent in it as a wetting agent. If it was too shiny after drying, a quick coat of clear flat would tone it down. The foam isn't styrofoam which made from little balls, it is a very fine grained foam that carves easily with knives and rasps.

The material refered to here is found at most building suppliers. It's high density board that comes in sheets of varying thickness, called "blue board," and is found traditionally in a light blue color, but also in a pink as well. Model railroaders create their underlying scenery by layering and trimming and using a hot-iron wire cutting tool to form blueboard into contours. Some very-very impressive landscaped to be had with this technique.