Making a realistic bush - My Way!(Very Simple)

[tiking]

There are many ways or methods to achieving a realistic looking bush. My method is just one way and to me, the most simplest solution. Whatever method works for you:

1. I used 'Grey Roof Lichen'(Latin name: Bryoria capillaris), which I collected from a fallen pine tree in my back yard. There's lots of this stuff. You can also use natural twine rope, which most modellers use. I did not have any on hand, so I decided to go out in nature and test out this material.

This is what it looks like on the tree:

 
2. I cleaned off any unnecessary debris from off the Lichen, and  tore off a small piece of this material. I picked the thinnest lichen clump I could fine. The thinner the strands the better it will look. At least for me. Then I took a brown Tamiya spray can(any brown color will do, depending on the look you want). I sprayed the lichen until I was satisfied. Left it to dry.

 

3. Then I took som Noch, Medium Green leaves. I had this on hand and was perfect for this job. Nice quality too. I sprinkled very sparingly for the 'sparse look', I was after.

This is the final results placed on the vignette:

 
Voila! Now how simple was that???? And absolutely realistic( in my eyes at least). But like I said, whatever suits you, go with that method. I thought this would save you time and money. Good Luck

[Ace-Garageguy]

Beautiful results. THANK YOU.   

[tiking]

3 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Beautiful results. THANK YOU.   

My pleasure.

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

Many people take a 'lichen' to that stuff...I'll show myself out.... -RRR

[stitchdup]

if you dont have nearby forest, you can get the lichens and mosses from a florist

[Bainford]

Nice idea, Charles. Very effective. Cheers.

[Hi-Po]

Clever idea!

[tiking]

8 hours ago, Rocking Rodney Rat said:

Many people take a 'lichen' to that stuff...I'll show myself out.... -RRR

Not sure what you mean by that, but okay. 

8 hours ago, stitchdup said:

if you dont have nearby forest, you can get the lichens and mosses from a florist

Good idea, but this particular type I have not found at a florist. 

4 hours ago, Bainford said:

Nice idea, Charles. Very effective. Cheers.

Thank you. 

4 hours ago, Hi-Po said:

Clever idea!

Glad you think so. 

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

15 hours ago, tiking said:

On 10/29/2024 at 7:57 AM, Rocking Rodney Rat said:

Many people take a 'lichen' to that stuff...I'll show myself out.... -RRR

Not sure what you mean by that, but okay.

It's called a pun. "Lichen" and "liking" sound very similar, so using the word lichen in place of liking...oh, never mind... -RRR

[tiking]

1 hour ago, Rocking Rodney Rat said:

It's called a pun. "Lichen" and "liking" sound very similar, so using the word lichen in place of liking...oh, never mind... -RRR

Okay. Understood. Wasn't sure. 

[iBorg]

The leaves look really nice as does the finished bush. What scale are the leaves supposed to represent?

[tiking]

2 hours ago, iBorg said:

The leaves look really nice as does the finished bush. What scale are the leaves supposed to represent?

1/35 scale 

[PHPaul]

Nice!  I've used the lichen just as it comes off the tree for vines.  Never thought about adding leaves.

I've also built vines/bushes using unraveled wrapping twine as the base.  Hit it with a little spray adhesive, sprinkle some Noch leaves over it and BOOM!  you're done. 

[tiking]

On 10/31/2024 at 9:28 PM, PHPaul said:

Nice!  I've used the lichen just as it comes off the tree for vines.  Never thought about adding leaves.

I've also built vines/bushes using unraveled wrapping twine as the base.  Hit it with a little spray adhesive, sprinkle some Noch leaves over it and BOOM!  you're done. 

 

There are many ways. Yours is another method.