help.....Static Grass

[vincegamer]

Okay, I\'m trying to base game pieces so I bought static grass. Trouble is it doesn\'t come with instructions.
So here\'s a very basic question. How do I apply static grass?
I tried one guy so far by brushing PVA onto the base then pouring SG over him, turning him upside down and tapping the bottom \'til most came off. Doesn\'t look as good as I\'ve seen elsewhere. Help.

 

[Chern Ann]

Super glue is a better bet than PVA, it\'ll make the grass stand straight up. After tapping, gently blow over the grass and the grass will stand on end instead of being matted down.

 

[GarnetJubilee]

Uhm.. I\'m not certain if I\'m thinking of the same thing, but assuming static grass is that fluffy green flakey stuff, this is how I\'ve learned to base it:

Smear a thin layer of elmer\'s glue on the base where you want the grass to go (careful of the feet!). The next part works best if you move the static grass into some kind of tupperware, or an old margarine container, but you submerge the base of the mini in the grass, give it a little shake. Bring it up out of the grass, press the grass on the base GENTLY against the base. Finally, tap the side of the base with your finger (or tap it against the side of your tupperware container).

Voila!

If that\'s not what static grass is, my apologies.

 

[mouse]

static grass...

there\'s basically 3 (maybe more but that\'s all I know...) types of basing for foliages. These are flocks, grass and turf.

Flocks are basically just little green (sometimes brown or gray) stuff that is suppose to form the basic layer of the base. Otherwise, you can always just paint it the color that you want. However, adding a layer of flock gives it a better look. Use PVA and spread it thinly with a spreader (ie a old brush that I use to spread glue )

Next comes the grass. Basically, there\'s the static grass and the long grass. How both are applied are different.
Static grass are normally used in junction with flock or turf but can be used on its own. How I normally apply static grass, well, I tried several methods and well, they all worked to various degrees (thanx to all the site that I sourced for these information)
(a) Always put the static grass in a box or something (A tuppleware with a cover can do just nice. Easy storage too. Try to get those that are not so tall but flat and wide at the surface)
(b) Apply PVA (superglue was too sticky to my liking) at the designated areas that you want (remember! apply sparingly. Not too much or your grass will look like my mum on a bad hair day!! Sorry mum )
(c1) Either take your mini into the container with the static grass and gently cover the base with grass.
(c2) Take a certain amount of static grass and put it into a clear (so that you can see) plastic bag and shake it (of course, close the opening first ). Pick up the static grass and apply it onto the base over the container (so that excess can fall back into it - don\'t waste)
(d) Press down with a toothpick (or anything that\'s fine but not sharp) at the designated spots whereby you want the static grass to clutter.
(e) Wait a little while and turn the mini upside down. Either blow on it (or using a hairdryer at low speed!!), to effect the static grass standing.

Turf? Well, they\'re softer as compared to flock but otherwise the same. It emulates an effect like a moss covered soft earth (ie if its green).

 

[DELTADOG]

apply it this way ..

basecoat your terainpiece in green or brown, then apply the glue PVA or supergue what you want (or what your basematerial can resist e.a. superclue and polyterol won`t work) apply the static grass in this way: put it in a coarse meshed metal kitchensieve, sieve the SG over your terrainpiece, this will make the grasslayer smooth and consistent over the surfaces.

 

[mouse]

hmm....

that\'s a interesting way of basing with static grass.

I\'ll try it out. That\'s another technique that I can use.

 

[finn17]

Combination

I have always found the bases that are totally covered with static grass look a tad unrealistic. It\'s OK if the mini is a football player I suppose, but I have always thought the average Orc etc looks out of place on astroturf!

It\'s only a personal opinion, but I always like those bases where a flock or substrate has been laid down first and painted to look realistic. Static grass can then often look good just placed in a few clumps to add a bit of colour.

With regard to the superglue/PVA debate. If I was covering the whole base I would use PVA as it would take a lot of expensive superglue and I am very cautious about using that stuff around a finished model!!! If I was going for the \'clump\' look however I would use superglue as it is easier to apply and does give that nice upright look that Chern Ann says. If you are only using a small amount of grass, it does need to look right and not like someone\'s green wig has fallen off:bouncy:

 

[JonG]

As finn says, static grass alone isn\'t good enough. Do some painted flocking or whatever beneath.

In addition, once I\'ve applied my static grass (I find PVA glue good enough) and let it dry, I then drybrush it up slightly with a lighter shade. This has the threefold effect of thickening the strands slightly, adding a bit of colour variation and helping it all stand more upright.

Hope that helps.

- Jon

 

[mouse]

ohh....forgot...

A hobby shopowner told me recently another method of applying static grass.

Basically, buy those static grass that\'s still on a piece of \"something\". What I mean is the static grass isn\'t loose. Understand?

hmm....anyways, when he recommended was to use a ice-stick/metal ruler with glue (he recommended PVA) at the tip and use it to scrap off the static grass. After that, he collects the grass from the tip with a pincer and applying a thin layer of PVA glue on the base, he gently base it with the static grass.

Reason for doing it this way?

The grass that\'s on the piece of material are already, ...er...standing?
The way that he scraps off the grass ensures that its all...er...somehow standing?
Moreover, its easier to remove clump of grass from the stick with a pincer and basing it on the mini.
Frankly speaking, I haven\'t try it but theoritically, it seem to work.
I\'ll try it and let you guys know.

\"Sacrificial hamster to the SLAUGHTER!!\"lol

 

[Beelzebrush]

I do it this way:

After I\'ve based with sand (painted then drybrushed) first.

I\'ve put grass into a (plastic) container, and just before you use it give it a good vigourous shake (with the lid on ) as it gives it a static charge (static grass see )

Apply your glue to the base ... I use PVA but whichever you prefer... both work fine.

Dip mini into container, turn upside down, tap off excess and then blow the grass into position.

Wait for the glue to dry and then drybrush the tips in a lighter colour. I usually use a pale yellow or sandy colour..

 

[vincegamer]

Originally posted by Beelzebrush
After I\'ve based with sand (painted then drybrushed) first.

I failed to mention that I had already used sand on the base. So what color do you paint and drybrush your sand? I have a dark brown sand I often leave unpainted. Under static grass should I paint it green?
Is green the standard color for gaming?

 

[laurence]

Grass

This is how I\'ve learned to apply static grass: Put it in a plastic container and give the container a good shake (just as Beelzebrush suggests) this charges the static grass, then once you\'ve applied a little amount of superglue to your base dip your base in the charged container and hover it around the container, this helps the little grass strands to stand up straight. Hold your mini upside down and tap the underside of your base. For good measure dip your base a second time and repeat the hovering & tapping thing. Now just raise your mini above your nose and gently blow up, this again helps to get the grass vertical. Then get a toothpick to vertically position any loose strands of SG that aren\'t sitting upright. Once everything is settled gently drybrush the SG tips with an appropriate green etc and there you have it a nice clump of grass growing in the direction nature intended it to

Oh here we go, I learnt this method from reading an article by a talented painter named Craig. The article is titled: \'Easy Static Grass Application\' and you can find it at: http://slappingpaint.net/easystaticgrass.html

Cheers...

 

[Beelzebrush]

Originally posted by vincegamer

Originally posted by Beelzebrush
After I\'ve based with sand (painted then drybrushed) first.

I failed to mention that I had already used sand on the base. So what color do you paint and drybrush your sand? I have a dark brown sand I often leave unpainted. Under static grass should I paint it green?
Is green the standard color for gaming?

I usually paint the sand in brown or even grey if I want a muddy look then drybrush it a lighter colour.

Here\'s one I did earlier...

http://www.coolminiornot.com/?id=20396

 

[antichrist]

here\'s a good guide to the secrets of the static grass

 

[Panza]

I just gotta say, Super glue? For static grass? Real grass doesn\'t all point upwards does it? And don\'t most of us model battlefields which, without exception, are not a place you normally find a neatly mown lawn. ???

Surly when you use SG you\'ll also get all those white powder fumes all over your mini, unless you grass your bases before painting, and who does that? ???

My tip for static grass is to use watered down PVA, apply with tweezers, shake gently, reapply PVA and grass in clumps for uneven growth, let dry, blow, leave overnight, wash with thin oil wash (keeps the fibres flexible), leave overnight and finally dry-brush with oils straight from the tube. Voila.

 

[Nomis]

Fun, fun, fun

I\'ve just had a few minutes of amusement - I posted a response which gave an error message, posted again and found my post was now duplicated. tried to delete it without success so posted an apology. - this was a couple of hours ago.
ive just checked and both of the original posts have gone leaving the apology - which I\'ve now deleted!

Confused? you will be......

What I was asking was do all of you mix your static grass in the same way you do your paints?

I\'ve got four colours ranging from a yellowy green through to a very dark brown (which doesnt get much use).
I mix then to give some variety of effect - dry grass, fresh grass etc.

As far as using different glues I have also tried with some success UHU (clear household contact adhesive). This works quite well although it can pull-up paint and tends to string when applied (with a tooth pick). this can result in grass getting in some strange places.

When I bought the grass I also got an applicator bottle which is like a plastic talc. bottle with bigger holes and a screw lid. You put the grass in the bottle, shake it up to charge it and then, having taken off the top, sprinkle it on. It is meant to stand up by it\'s charge.

I have never had much luck with it and tend to dunk the model into the grass and then shake.

Now - the big test - will this message post or dissapear into the aether?

 

[Panza]

The biggest problem with static grass is that, whichever colour you use, it looks shiny and catches the light. If you don\'t paint your grass, it\'s just gonna look......wrong!

 

[vincegamer]

Thanks for all the helpful comments but those applying to terrain don\'t help much. I\'m dealing with figure bases.

For an example of how I\'m doing, go HERE
(and while there, vote and comment )
Panza, what is an \"oil wash\"?

\"charging\" it:
I have shaken up the container no end but all that happens is the SG becomes a tighter and tighter packed block. I can barely force the mini into it unless I stir it up with a toothpick first.

 

[Panza]

Originally posted by vincegamer
Panza, what is an \"oil wash\"?

It\'s an oil paint wash. Take oil paint and thin it to wash consistency with turpentine or low odour thinners. Oil paints doesn\'t make the static grass matted or brittle, so when you finally dry-brush your grass highlights you can get a much more natural looking finish.

I might do a tutorial on this if enough people ask.

 

[Pellimore]

I\'ve always taken static grass and mixed it with beach sand before applying. In case you don\'t know, here in Florida we have extremely fine beach sand that comes out to a nice light texture without the look of dirt and rocks that a store-bought sand can do.

With this mixture, I get a nice grass effect, that doesn\'t look evenly distributed (the football field look), usually isn\'t flat, and can be highlighted with watered down acrylics (the paint catches the sand around the grass and highlights, without making the grass brittle, or having to do any oil paint mixes).

Have fun!
-Pellimore