Look at my Bush

Okay, I admit that title is provocative and more than a bit risque but what the hell, most of my childhood was in the seventies. Anyway, this is me sharing my discoveries with static grass and my new Noch applicator - the Grassmaster 3.

I follow all the right and popular Youtubers out there who specialize in scenics from model railroaders and terrain specialists to wargamers. Following their instructions, I set out to make my own static grass tufts.

There are a few methods you can use with an applicator including a template to guide more vertical tufts - basically a strip of ply or MDF drilled full of holes. I have not properly experimented with that approach yet and I feel for 28mm figures (most of what I have) I'm going to need lengths beyond 6mm to make that effect worthwhile. I think some of that may be on it's way if I could remember what I ordered.

Using baking paper (which works very well indeed) I lay down dots of PVA white glue reasonably well spaced apart as well as a squiggle and a few lines. Using my Noch Grassmaster in one hand and the grounding wire with alligator-clip in the other, I turn the applicator on and gently agitate about two or so centimeters above the white glue being sure to hold the clip right under the applicator all of the time. You can see the static grass arcing up.

Now I have to observe than on the first pass I wasn't too impressed. Yes, the static grass largely stands up but with an all over pincushion appearance and not particularly full looking. At this stage, you'd ask for your money back. I've never seen this recommended or demonstrated for tuft-making but I wondered if a second application after all had dried might not achieve a fuller and higher standing result.

So, once fully dried (the glue goes clear) I took a larger headed number 10 hobby brush and brushed on some more PVA across the tufts until they were well frosted looking. I then hit them with another application and they were transformed to full, uneven and tall looking bushes of static grass. Voilà!

This is just the result I was after. The grass colours by the way are a 50/50 mix of Woodland Scenics Wild Honey (I think 4mm) and Ground-Up Scenery's Swampland (Green) at 6mm for the lines and squiggle. The tufts are pure  Swampland.

Given the need to get the applicator closer to the base you are coating, I can't see it working directly on bases with the figures already attached - not in 28mm. I am transferring the tufts and cut up lengths of the lines and squiggles to the textured and painted bases at this time. If you have any better ideas, please let me know.