Static Grass Convert
I had a good exhibition with Yeoton Wfarf at St Albans last weekend though the layout could have run better. During a break I had a long chat with Gordon Gravett who was demonstrating the use of static grass. I have tended in the past to dislike this form of scenery as I associated it with large expanses of model grass all the same colours looking like a billiard table. I am now converted to the idea of static grass as I was shown that it is possible to vary the length and colour of the fibres and also incorporate other textures and scatter materials with it.
Also it is not necessary to go out and purchase an electronic gadget costing around £75 to create the effect. I purchased some packs of static grass fibres from Greenscenes and a puffer bottle made by Noch from another stand as recommended by Gordon. I have now down some test pieces with different textures and colours and have been very impressed. Obviously if one wants to cover very large areas then purchasing an electric electrostatic device makes it easier but for the type of work I want to do, then the puffer bottle is ideal and cheaper.
I will try it out on the 3mm scale, 14.2mm gauge layout we are building at the Launceston and District MRC, about which I will write more later.
I find the bottle more essential than the electric tool. You can blow fibres into corners at the foot of buildings with it. Large areas aren’t much slower either.
I agree with you. Having ‘played’ with the bottle it’s good how you can add the very small details. Using the longer fibres seems to be great for long dried grass.