Questions about Woodland Scenics coarse turf...

plastikjunky wrote:

Use a combination. Like you said, you don't want it to look like a gulf course, and it should be uneven. Mix in some dirt, rocks, etc. to make it look good. You can use kitty litter for the rocks, gravel or rubble effect. You can crush the litter to whatever size  you like. I then use inexpensive acrylic water based paint, deluted with water, along with some elmer's white glue to lock everything in place. I also use static grass for better effect. Stay away from really bright colors, they make your work look unreal.  Try to put some clumps in between some of the planks, this shows that grass or weeds have grown between some of the boards. This adds a nice touch to the diorama.

Well, here's what I came up with, using coarse turf in light green, dark green, burnt grass, and yellow grass colors, mixed together and applied unevenly.  I cemented some yellow and burnt grass in the cracks between the planks in places (I suspect such grass would not appear healthy), and sprinkled a little oregano around to look like blown leaves.  I'm going to add a Verlinden Luftwaffe airfield cart or two, maybe some jerry cans, a pilot figure, and perhaps some ground crew figures. How's it look?

 http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/551886/ShowPost.aspx

Rory,

Use a combination. Like you said, you don't want it to look like a gulf course, and it should be uneven. Mix in some dirt, rocks, etc. to make it look good. You can use kitty litter for the rocks, gravel or rubble effect. You can crush the litter to whatever size  you like. I then use inexpensive acrylic water based paint, deluted with water, along with some elmer's white glue to lock everything in place. I also use static grass for better effect. Stay away from really bright colors, they make your work look unreal.  Try to put some clumps in between some of the planks, this shows that grass or weeds have grown between some of the boards. This adds a nice touch to the diorama.

Hi there

You have the first step right...you have a reference picture. Do an internet search and find some colour pics of the type of ground you have in mind.
For an unkempt look, static grass will probably work best. You will need some static green grass to mix in with the yellow. That will give a more realistic look than just one colour.
Course turf may even work too. Get an old piece of wood and practice mixtures on that before applying to your dio.

Have fun.