Mann's Picture Frame Diorama

[Pray59]

Looking good! I really like those bridge abutments. Have to get me a pair, and one of those bridges too!

Can you post a closeup of the static fiber and ground foam mix? It's an interesting technique.

-Robert

[tom mann]

I did a little more work on the diorama last night. 

I weathered the abutments using acrylic washes of various colors.  I decided to go extra heavy on rust streaks from the bridge footings, even though I can't imagine that there would be this much rust on a bridge out there in the middle of the desert.  I just think that rust streaks on a concrete abutment from a bridge is cool.  I almost - almost - put some graffiti on one of the abutments.  I decided against it, as to not limit myself to a certain era.

I used the Noch applicator to "plant" static grass on upwards pointing surfaces.  I use this light honey color from Woodland scenics that I think looks like dry desert grass.  I also placed a bunch of Silflor tufts in random areas, the greener (late summer) shade close to the river, and the lighter (autumn) shade away from the river.  This gives me three grass colors, all muted and similar in tone and feel.

[Chris333]

Tom,
In the new MR they show putting dabs of white glue on a cookie tray and hitting them with the static applicator grounded to the tray. Have you tried this?  It ends up looking just like Silflor tufts.

I tried it with the squeeze bottle, but they didn't stand up right.

[tom mann]

Tom,
In the new MR they show putting dabs of white glue on a cookie tray and hitting them with the static applicator grounded to the tray. Have you tried this?  It ends up looking just like Silflor tufts.

I tried it with the squeeze bottle, but they didn't stand up right.

I don't know if I would use white glue, but the Woodland scenics tacky glue appears to be identical to what Silflor uses to make the tufts.

[Pray59]

I tried it with the squeeze bottle, but they didn't stand up right.

If it's the same yellow plastic applicator that I have, the trick is to mist the area being applied with water, and run a ground wire to the ground pin of your wall plug, or a water pipe to the wet area of your module.

Then you rub the yellow static flock applicator on your shirt or a wool sweater if you have one. Do not touch your module or anything, just apply the static charged flock, and it WILL stand up on end!

If you forget the ground wire, the flock will turn around mid air and float to your sweater or shirt...and face! Don't ask me how I know this! ;D

[DKS]

I tried it with the squeeze bottle, but they didn't stand up right.

If it's the same yellow plastic applicator that I have, the trick is to mist the area being applied with water, and run a ground wire to the ground pin of your wall plug, or a water pipe to the wet area of your module.

Then you rub the yellow static flock applicator on your shirt or a wool sweater if you have one. Do not touch your module or anything, just apply the static charged flock, and it WILL stand up on end!

If you forget the ground wire, the flock will turn around mid air and float to your sweater or shirt...and face! Don't ask me how I know this! ;D

I use the yellow applicator, too. When I gently vacuum the area, while the glue is still wet, the fibers stand up.

Edit: Here's a slightly better image of the flock/ground foam combo I use. In the right third of the photo is plain flocking, and the left two-thirds is after applying ground foam to the flocking. Now I'm looking for something showing the polyfiber stretched out to make brambles. (My camera is out on loan so I'm stuck having to rummage through existing photos.)

[tom mann]

Ok, a little more work tonight.

Here is an overview shot to show overall progress so far:
 


I'm working on the river first.  The river bed is dirt with a little sand mixed in.  To show a gradation from the river bank to the center, I paint a diluted mix of Polyscale sand and Raw Umber and attempt to feather it to the center.

[DKS]

Tom, that's going to look really fine when it's done. Keep it up!

(P.S. Is this where the c. 25 comes in?)

[tom mann]

Tom, that's going to look really fine when it's done. Keep it up!

(P.S. Is this where the c. 25 comes in?)

Yes, but let's keep this under our hats for now...   I'm awaiting a track laying jig from a nice guy from the bay area...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It looks like your N scale one. Which is good.

[tom mann]

It looks like your N scale one. Which is good.

Yes, it's my style now.   I like the materials and colors. 

Oh, and thanks Ed.

[JR59]

I always love to follow someones progress on a Layout, Diorama, Structure or something. Thanks.

[Pray59]

Tom, that's going to look really fine when it's done. Keep it up!

(P.S. Is this where the c. 25 comes in?)

Yes, but let's keep this under our hats for now...   I'm awaiting a track laying jig from a nice guy from the bay area...

That Jig was mailed Monday along with the decals, so you should get it today or tomorrow.

[Pray59]

I can see now how the static grass blends with the use of ground foam. It does add to the realism of the scene, and I plan on using it more. Jeff bought one of the battery powered applicators a few months ago when Walthers had them on sale, so we will experiment with it in the coming weeks, as we are preparing for the September show.

Now what is the rock and sand material you are using for the riverbed under the trestle? It looks real convincing! Is it the Smith & Son stuff or Arizona stuff?

[tom mann]

Tom, that's going to look really fine when it's done. Keep it up!

(P.S. Is this where the c. 25 comes in?)

Yes, but let's keep this under our hats for now...   I'm awaiting a track laying jig from a nice guy from the bay area...

That Jig was mailed Monday along with the decals, so you should get it today or tomorrow.

Oh yeah!! ;D

David, Chris, and Robert are making handlaid code25 rail possible on my diorama!!