Grape Vines: Old Style

 

It's taken a year to make these grape vine models - I could have grown a real one in the same time methinks. It was one of those side terrain projects which I started with a burst of enthusiasm which then went off the boil. It seems the impetus I needed was my deployment and not wanting to start anything - so I'm finishing things.

The five models represent the ancient 'married vine' method which the Etruscans pioneered (or at least the written record attributes it to them). Planted next to a host tree (above represents an elm) the old grape vines entwine with the partner tree.

The ladders ae made of plastic sheet and the barrels are repurposed stowage off some cheap vintage van models I'd been keeping for a rainy day. The ladder gives the vine trees some scale (I trust) and the barrels hint at what they are. I dabbled with the idea of creating grape bunches but in the end I couldn't be bothered and dismissed it as madness. Next time.

The vines are made from twigs (my garden) and clump foliage of two shades, heavily saturated in 3:1 diluted PVA, then painted in lighter shades of light green into yellow with spots of orange and red which I hope gives the impression of the vines turning after the harvest. When building the little trees I strung several sections with twine and glued foliage across them which isn't always obvious.

I based them on foam board which, whilst easy, is not as sturdy as MDF which in hindsight I should have used. Anyway, I wanted something different for my Mediterranean scenic set than the typical vineyards wargamers tend to make. Not that it will be anytime soon, but the next scenics will be a series of very Spanish trees - species peculiar to the peninsular which will help get the feel across.