Making Meadows

I’m starting a dio from the scene in Saving Privat Ryan where they first fin Ryan in the meadow after blowing up a German Halftrack.

My question is, how do achieve the “random look” if you watch the scene there will be tallgrass in som places, but then only little grass in other places.

also, whats a goo way to make bushes and shurbs, I was thinking i would do it the same as trees. What do you think.

an finally, would you just insert the tallgrass over the colored celluclay, or would you cover it in static grass first, and then apply the other stuff?

Thanks for the help.

John:

My suggestion:

Do the tall grasses first. If you have old brushes (paint brushes that, is) bundle them up and trim the bundles to different heights. Plant them in celluclay or paster. Airbrush the tall grass starting from dark to light green. Color the groud with earth colors and add static grass or woodland scenics turfing materials. Airbrush the grass to add shades.

I have woodland scenics field grass. will the static grass blow off when i airbrush it?

Actually you need to brush a thin layer of white glue (thinned with water) on the base where you want ot put the grass. Sprinkle the turfing materials and let dry for a while. Once the glue has set, blow away the excess grass which did not stick to the base. Repeat the process as necessary. Actually if the AB blows away some grass, you can replace them. This process ensures that all grass are firmly fixed on teh base.

I use unravled cisal rope and cut it to lengths. While the ground material is still a little damp I pour a puddle of white glue on a piece of tin foil and take my clumps and a nail nad start planting. Make a hole, dip your clump of grass into the glue and then into the hole. Use the end of your finger to spread it or fan it a bit and you have a clump of grass. Change areas often as the mind (a product of the industrial, machine age) will have you putting them in even clumps and spacing, making it look contrived or “planted” like crops. By mixing it up you create a more natural and sporadic placement of the clumps and it looks more natural. Mix up different lengths and make it heavier in some areas and lighter than others. Don’t forget to take into account that men and vehicles walking through tall grass make trails.

Mike