As described in my layout engineering thread
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=36450.msg512641#msg512641 I wanted to make it plausible that the spur on my O scale layout was actually used for something, that vehicles could access it, so I decided to add an asphalt strip along it.
I made the asphalt strip using a drywall spackling paste. When the paste was dry I created cracks in it by pressing on it, making the hardened paste and the foam beneath give way.
I then painted the putty a gray color, using the black color, diluted to gray, from an ordinary children's watercolor set.
I also decided to add some dandelions along with the other weeds and grass. So I sat out to create dandelions. I started with some grass tufts I think I got in a Noch package.
I added pieces of sisal fibers to act as stems, which I secured with CA.
I then cut short pieces of green wire insulation and slid on to the top of the stems, secured by CA. Once the CA had set I cut the insulation pieces even shorter, like this:
Then I dabbed some more CA on the top of the insulation pieces and dipped them in yellow chalk powder. The result was this:
You can see the completed scene here:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=36450.msg512641#msg512641
