-
Modelers Alliance has updated the forum software on our website. We have migrated all post, content and user accounts but we could not migrate the passwords.
This requires that you manually reset your password.
Please click here, http://modelersalliance.org/forums/login to go to logon page and use the "Forgot your Password" option.
"Easy Pickins"
- Thread starter Steve Ski
- Start date
Steve Ski
Well-known member
Nose to the Grinding Wheel
There’s really no way of getting around it, this will be a slow-going process, placing ivy leaves on the vine. I don’t think it’ll be too bad, it’s not like trying to put individual leaves on a tree, right?
These leaves had been cut out and accumulated over time, so this wasn’t really a show stopper, per se, but each leaf does require a slight bend in it for realism. I did this whole bunch in just over an hour, not too bad. I have four sizes to work with. I’ve found super glue works best when placing these, but in some cases I am using Elmer’s glue as well.
The vines, (tomato plant root) have been attached in a random manner making sure to keep them within reason, not over-done. Once the leaves start to be placed, I will have a better idea of just how much needs to go where.
This last little bit of “clutter bits” should round things out nicely. If more is needed later, I’ll think of something to add. But right now I’ve got to get to work finishing this up.
We’ve got expanded metal, a scratch made hammer, nails, gears, chain, springs, etc. Looks like a junk box to me.
More to follow soon and thanks for watchin. Cheers, Ski.
There’s really no way of getting around it, this will be a slow-going process, placing ivy leaves on the vine. I don’t think it’ll be too bad, it’s not like trying to put individual leaves on a tree, right?
These leaves had been cut out and accumulated over time, so this wasn’t really a show stopper, per se, but each leaf does require a slight bend in it for realism. I did this whole bunch in just over an hour, not too bad. I have four sizes to work with. I’ve found super glue works best when placing these, but in some cases I am using Elmer’s glue as well.
The vines, (tomato plant root) have been attached in a random manner making sure to keep them within reason, not over-done. Once the leaves start to be placed, I will have a better idea of just how much needs to go where.
This last little bit of “clutter bits” should round things out nicely. If more is needed later, I’ll think of something to add. But right now I’ve got to get to work finishing this up.
We’ve got expanded metal, a scratch made hammer, nails, gears, chain, springs, etc. Looks like a junk box to me.
More to follow soon and thanks for watchin. Cheers, Ski.
Heavens Eagle
Well-known member
Looking good Steve!
Steve Ski
Well-known member
D’Vine Inspiration
The moment I’ve been waiting for, placing the ivy leaves. This has been a long time in coming, years in fact. I started cutting these leaves probably 6yrs ago in preparation for this moment. I know, right? What a moment to be waiting for, but here it is, finally. HA! This dio was started 12yrs ago, so it’s only been half the time.
Using my curved fine point tweezers, I began to work the left fence section to get a feel for how this would flow. As expected, no issues, just a few vines breaking, but they were pretty small anyway. Once you get a feel for what colors go where, as in, dark green lower, light green higher, the process moves quickly. It moves quickly as long as you can reach into the tight spots, and then it’s a matter of getting the leaves to stay put. Behind the tree has been a bit of a pain, but not undoable.
You may also notice that the leaf edges have already been touched up on the left cluster, but not behind the tree, not yet. This is not very difficult but does require a light touch to avoid flicking the leaves off the vines. When applying the green acrylics paint that is also the time to hide any shiny glue spots or discolorations on any of the leaves.
Hind sight is crystal clear, right? Right! I forgot to add moss to the backside of the tree and had to apply it after starting the vines because? Well, that’s when I remembered it, HA! My buddy Simon had mentioned it before, but I forgot to add it to the list. Not a real issue, just brush on watered down Elmer’s School glue where needed and then apply the flock. Scenic Express Flock and Turf in various shades of green works great for this. I crush the flock very fine so it won’t appear blotchy or out of proportion and unrealistic.
Before any flock can be applied there has to be a base tone added for depth and realism. I used Mig’s Slimy Grime Light and Dark paint. I thinned the dark and spread it carefully without going everywhere, then lightly blotched on the light green. That gave a really nice base on it’s own, but I still needed the flock.
So,……….do I tilt the base to the side and risk a major disaster, or figure out how to apply the flock in a safer manner? I already have a slight bend in the tree, so I tried using a small spoon to tip it in place. That was not going to work, but using a fat worn out brush did. I just held it above the area and tapped it lightly, flock falling into place nicely, just like I wanted it.
I’ll keep working the leaf placement over the next few days, as time allows, and then start on other foliage around the base.
More to follow soon and thanks for watchin. Cheers, Ski.
The moment I’ve been waiting for, placing the ivy leaves. This has been a long time in coming, years in fact. I started cutting these leaves probably 6yrs ago in preparation for this moment. I know, right? What a moment to be waiting for, but here it is, finally. HA! This dio was started 12yrs ago, so it’s only been half the time.
Using my curved fine point tweezers, I began to work the left fence section to get a feel for how this would flow. As expected, no issues, just a few vines breaking, but they were pretty small anyway. Once you get a feel for what colors go where, as in, dark green lower, light green higher, the process moves quickly. It moves quickly as long as you can reach into the tight spots, and then it’s a matter of getting the leaves to stay put. Behind the tree has been a bit of a pain, but not undoable.
You may also notice that the leaf edges have already been touched up on the left cluster, but not behind the tree, not yet. This is not very difficult but does require a light touch to avoid flicking the leaves off the vines. When applying the green acrylics paint that is also the time to hide any shiny glue spots or discolorations on any of the leaves.
Hind sight is crystal clear, right? Right! I forgot to add moss to the backside of the tree and had to apply it after starting the vines because? Well, that’s when I remembered it, HA! My buddy Simon had mentioned it before, but I forgot to add it to the list. Not a real issue, just brush on watered down Elmer’s School glue where needed and then apply the flock. Scenic Express Flock and Turf in various shades of green works great for this. I crush the flock very fine so it won’t appear blotchy or out of proportion and unrealistic.
Before any flock can be applied there has to be a base tone added for depth and realism. I used Mig’s Slimy Grime Light and Dark paint. I thinned the dark and spread it carefully without going everywhere, then lightly blotched on the light green. That gave a really nice base on it’s own, but I still needed the flock.
So,……….do I tilt the base to the side and risk a major disaster, or figure out how to apply the flock in a safer manner? I already have a slight bend in the tree, so I tried using a small spoon to tip it in place. That was not going to work, but using a fat worn out brush did. I just held it above the area and tapped it lightly, flock falling into place nicely, just like I wanted it.
I’ll keep working the leaf placement over the next few days, as time allows, and then start on other foliage around the base.
More to follow soon and thanks for watchin. Cheers, Ski.
Very inspiring Steve! Love this 
Steve Ski
Well-known member
Still at it!
This is certainly taking longer than I had anticipated, but it’s a steady roll. I’m still waiting on some static grass to arrive, but working other parts to fill the gap in time. We’ll get there, eventually.
As you can see, there’s quite a lot of stuff used to work this veggie detail. The Heki grass was used for the base with a lot of grass clumps from Min-atur. I have made quite a bit of it myself from left over Heki scrap and will make more once the other grass arrives. I need long, short, in between, for a more realistic appearance.
I’ve used some of the Min-atur foliage to fill in gaps on the fence to add some interest in the vine category. They seem to fit just fine. More will be added as time goes on. I have a large inventory of real foliage from outside, so I will mix it up a bit. I’m finding the layering method seems to work best. As in, build it up, don’t cluster a mess. Trying to get a realistic appearance and not over-do it is what I’m working towards.
The grass area is only half done. When the other clusters are made, they will fill in the voids of the Heki grass and add some variety and realism, but right now it looks pretty weak as is. That rock is there to remind me to add rocks in the appropriate locations later on.
Once this side of the fence is done, I’ll be working the shop side. There will be a lot less foliage, of course, but weeds do grow in the darndest places. The shop side will need it’s own special attention to get the realism correct. I keep Chuck Doan’s pics handy, very helpful.
All comments are welcome and any suggestions as well. I’ve got time to do this right, so holler if you see anything needing attention.
Thanks for watchin. Cheers, Ski.
P.S. Laszlo Adoba has a great set of dio books that would be great for anybody's work bench.
https://www.adobaminiatures.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=24
This is certainly taking longer than I had anticipated, but it’s a steady roll. I’m still waiting on some static grass to arrive, but working other parts to fill the gap in time. We’ll get there, eventually.
As you can see, there’s quite a lot of stuff used to work this veggie detail. The Heki grass was used for the base with a lot of grass clumps from Min-atur. I have made quite a bit of it myself from left over Heki scrap and will make more once the other grass arrives. I need long, short, in between, for a more realistic appearance.
I’ve used some of the Min-atur foliage to fill in gaps on the fence to add some interest in the vine category. They seem to fit just fine. More will be added as time goes on. I have a large inventory of real foliage from outside, so I will mix it up a bit. I’m finding the layering method seems to work best. As in, build it up, don’t cluster a mess. Trying to get a realistic appearance and not over-do it is what I’m working towards.
The grass area is only half done. When the other clusters are made, they will fill in the voids of the Heki grass and add some variety and realism, but right now it looks pretty weak as is. That rock is there to remind me to add rocks in the appropriate locations later on.
Once this side of the fence is done, I’ll be working the shop side. There will be a lot less foliage, of course, but weeds do grow in the darndest places. The shop side will need it’s own special attention to get the realism correct. I keep Chuck Doan’s pics handy, very helpful.
All comments are welcome and any suggestions as well. I’ve got time to do this right, so holler if you see anything needing attention.
Thanks for watchin. Cheers, Ski.
P.S. Laszlo Adoba has a great set of dio books that would be great for anybody's work bench.
https://www.adobaminiatures.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=24
Dang Steve! 
Steve Ski
Well-known member
Ok, that's a good thing, I think. The dog that is, but I've got four big outsiders and two ankle biters inside, so he's gotta wait his turn. HA! I must be doing something right. Tell the Boss I said Thank You very much!
Someone else said that not long ago, HA!
Thank you, Gents. Ya know, I'm always been amazed at some of the veggie work I see out there, never really understanding just how they did it until someone said, "layer it." Ok, now that makes sense, and don't be in a rush to clutter it up. So far so good, and thanks for the thumbs up, Gents!
