Help needed with long grass for dio.

[Gern]

Hi guys. I have an idea for a dio and I need something to use as long grass for 28mm figures. I vaguely remember someone using deer hair for this. Am I right, and if so, does anyone know where I can get some from?


I had thought of using the static grass sold by companies like Woodland Scenics but I need quite a lot (an area about 375mm x 225mm - 15" x 9" in old money) and I'd have to buy the applicator as well so that could be quite expensive.

 

[grumpa]

Never thought of deer hair but it is rather stiff and would hold up to paint, I myself could gather loads of it and I am looking for some tall grass for my current dio. All I would need to do is go a hundred yards or so into the woods and find last seasons kills carcasses ( if the scavengers haven't scattered them to the winds yet) What a great idea! Weather wet at the moment but in a day or two I'll venture out and see what I can find and will post how it may be working out. If you know someone or know someone who knows someone :S  who hunts there may be a chance for you to gather some. My thought before reading the deer hair idea was to take a new house painting brush and cut hairs from that...........Jim

 

[dubster72]

Faux fur is really good for longer grass Dave. You can buy it from craft shops etc.


Get some in a light tan colour (often described as honey) & colour it with acrylic paint. I use the cheap stuff from a Poundshop.


The best way to apply the paint is with your fingers. Messy, but it stops the fibres sticking together.


Most fur comes in a range of pile lengths. For waist high grass on 28mm figures you'll be looking at 15-16mm pile.


I've got some that I've made for an on going dio, so if pics would help, let me know.

 

[Stevekir]

Glory be to Google!:


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=deer+hair&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&ei=ZTg2V_b9GcLW8gedvbvgDw

 

[dubster72]

That link doesn't work Steve - you need to add it via the icon that looks like a chain link


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=deer+hair&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&ei=ZTg2V_b9GcLW8gedvbvgDw

 

[Stevekir]

That link doesn't work Steve - you need to add it via the icon that looks like a chain link


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=deer+hair&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&ei=ZTg2V_b9GcLW8gedvbvgDw

Well, I tried it before posting, and just now, and it worked for me. I have never used the link icon - just copied the link. However, I will investigate the link icon next time.

 

[monica]

worked fine for me as well ,Steve,


and with the lefted over hair you can make  mouse, :D

 

[Ian M]

I use old paint brushes. Not moddeling ones, "propper" ones like what you paint walls with. These have the bonus of the bunches of hairs are normally well stuck together and you can cut tufts off and plonk them in drilled holes. They do paint up well and the sandy coloured ones are pretty good unpainted for dried grass.

 

[dubster72]

I use old paint brushes. Not moddeling ones, "propper" ones like what you paint walls with. These have the bonus of the bunches of hairs are normally well stuck together and you can cut tufts off and plonk them in drilled holes. They do paint up well and the sandy coloured ones are pretty good unpainted for dried grass.

That would take a lot of old brushes to cover over 800cm²!

 

[Ian M]

A couple of whitewash brushes screwed and glued together....... lol
I normally use them for tufts of grass or reeds...so you might have a good point there Patrick.

 

[Fenlander]

Yep, the Faux Fur is really good once you get the hang of it.  Trick is to chop at it, when coloured with acrylic paint or poster paint, with scissors at a steep angle to vary the length.  Done quite roughly, this will give a natural look.  It can then be dusted with an airbrush to lighten areas and, especially, the tips.


Not a great example but this is one I did a few years back. (Sorry for crap photo)

 

[monica]

that turned out great Graham,you can see the different tone,and lengths with it,very well done, :D