Hi, I have recently found a plant that I think it’s leaves would provide great scenic material, almost like minature ferns. What do I do to preserve the foliage to be able to use on my layout? Any ideas, greatly appreciated.
As with the scenic express super trees you could after drying the plant material soak them in a solution of matte medium.This should harden them up.Hope this helps
If you paint them, that will help. Hair spray will help a little if they do not get rough use. I soak some of my weeds in a 1 pound cut of shelac, but that does not help the folage. On my queen of the praire flowers I let the green and yellow paint be the fixitive.
I too use matt medium but if you want to preserve this plant AND keep it flexible, soak it in warm glycerin like you would with lichen.
Karl
Should the Matt medium be diluted?
Yes, 1 part mm to 3 (or 4) parts water. I use artists’ grade. Cheaper grades might require different levels of dilution but I don’t think it’s too critical.
Karl
thanks for your help.