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Post by MrDungeonMaster on May 21, 2014 1:17:52 GMT
OK, so I have been avoiding making trees because I have yet to see any that I really like, other than pre-fabbed for train sets and such. When they do look fairly realistic, the scale always seems to be off. Then I discovered reindeer moss! I started with 12" pipe cleaners and twisted them into roots, trunks, and branches. I glued them down to bases... Then I coated them with a couple layers of school glue to stiffen up the fibers (support and hold the hot glue to come). Speaking of hot glue... the glue set smooth, but I was able to use the hot tip of my glue gun to add texture to the bark. Then came the colors... Hunter green, followed by a fairly smooth layer of school glue and dried parsley for the bases. Then the trunks got nutmeg brown with a dry brushing of a lighter brown, and a VERY loose wash of gray. After the glue under the parsley dried, I used very diluted school glue to seal the tops. This made it much more durable and will prevent discoloration over time. Finally, it was time to glue on the reindeer moss. I found this at Walmart for about $4. It's available in a few different colors, but I selected the "basil". A little hot glue and some careful trimming with the scissors, and viola! I finally have trees that I'm happy! Best of all, the total cost was under $6, and I have enough moss let to make at least 5 more trees!
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Post by dmreborn on May 21, 2014 3:44:53 GMT
Sounds awesome but the pix are missing.
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Post by MrDungeonMaster on May 21, 2014 4:02:13 GMT
Sorry about that. I organized my photobucket AFTER I linked to them...
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Post by bloodchoke on May 21, 2014 4:03:27 GMT
Ah, now I see them. And they look great! Very nice job, excellent texture on the trunks.
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Post by Draklith on May 21, 2014 4:11:33 GMT
Wow, those look really well done
Vader turns his head towards the camera and says..."impressive, most impressive."
Excellent job ! Thx for sharing your process too, u ROCK!
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Post by rane on May 21, 2014 4:12:49 GMT
wow, that is a very clever idea. those came out great!
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Post by DMScotty on May 21, 2014 5:31:51 GMT
Look great.
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Post by WeAre138 on May 21, 2014 5:52:02 GMT
Outstanding trees! My list of things to try and craft just keeps getting longer and longer... its a blessing and a curse.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2014 6:25:34 GMT
I am a big fan of lichen and moss for foliage, since I live in a city where, if you stand still long enough, it will start to grow on you. What I would like to try different methods for, is adding colour to the moss and lichen to see if I can get bright greens, autumn red and yellow, etc.
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Post by MrDungeonMaster on May 21, 2014 12:38:58 GMT
This may seem over-simple, but have you tried food coloring and water in a spray bottle? An air brush might be better for more dramatic color changes (making grey-green moss look autumn-maple red). Maybe a soak in Rit Dye... I'll experiment and get back to you, now I'm curious!
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Post by dmreborn on May 21, 2014 13:11:02 GMT
Fantastic! I have been trying to sort out how I can do trees on a budget and these fit the bill.
Consider this idea stolen sir.
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Post by dragon722 on May 21, 2014 15:54:58 GMT
Trees came out awesome dude. How long did it take to fabricate the ones u did? I am going to the store right now lol!!!
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Post by MrDungeonMaster on May 21, 2014 18:19:39 GMT
Not counting the time it took for the school glue to dry (plan on 2 - 3 days for the whole project), I only had an hour or so of actual fabrication time. Of course, if I'd known how far my moss was going to stretch, I would have done more at once. From this, I can plan on 8-9 trees from a single bag of moss. Btw... here is the link to what I bought from Walmart: Preserved Moss. Good luck, and let's see the pics!
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Post by kokigami on May 22, 2014 3:22:09 GMT
those did turn out well. I have been basing trees I got online. Trees are always a problem, because we know what they should look like, and small errors stick out. These work well.
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apokism
Cardboard Collector
Posts: 22
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Post by apokism on May 22, 2014 3:52:37 GMT
DUDE!! These are really good!! I'm making some now!! holy crap! lol..
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Post by skunkape on May 22, 2014 14:43:41 GMT
Those trees look really great! I use just the trunks though for my games as the foliage at the top tends to get in the way of figure movement. At least for my players!
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Post by dragon722 on May 22, 2014 23:29:46 GMT
Making a few at the moment. then realized I forgot to grab the tree moss bag /leaves
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2014 23:33:55 GMT
truly great method man.
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Post by MrDungeonMaster on May 23, 2014 4:29:45 GMT
Those trees look really great! I use just the trunks though for my games as the foliage at the top tends to get in the way of figure movement. At least for my players! That's pretty much what I had been doing until I found this stuff. To me, there was something just not right. Now, if my players see a bare tree... it's either dead or deadly! ( a lesson that they haven't learned... yet). Actually, if you look carefully, there are a couple places that will hold a mini quite nicely IN the trees themselves. Can you say sniper? Making a few at the moment. then realized I forgot to grab the tree moss bag /leaves That's OK. the moss goes on last, and you'll have plenty of time to get some while you're waiting for the school glue to dry.
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Post by dmreborn on May 26, 2014 4:21:54 GMT
I am almost done with a batch of 15 of these. My biggest hurdle was the hot glue texturing of the trunks. I burned through 5 jumbo glue sticks and there were still big gaps where the pipe cleaners show through. All I have left to do is drybrush the lighter brown, glue on the moss, and clear coat the parsley. Should be done tomorrow night and will post pictures.
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