i just bought this realisitc tree kit, and it does not look easy, idk how to apply the loose clump-foilage onto the tree part. said to apply hob-e-tac to branchs, what is hob-e-tac can i use something else instead?
i just used elmer’s glue and it looked fine!
I swore off those kits long long ago. One of the best ways I have found to make trees is thus:
Gather up lots of weeds and small plants that have stems that look like little trees from a vacant field (Queen Anne’s Lace works well.) Next get some ground foam and shread it with a cheese grater. the spraypaint the groundfoam to the color of the leaves you want on your trees. then prepare the weeds, cutting them down into smaller trunks with branches. Then spray the branches with a 50/50 mix of white glue and water from a spray bottle. Finally sprinkle the colored ground foam bits onto the weed.
(if the tree looks too glossy spray it with a coat of dullcoat and it should be fine)
There you have it, a nice cheap, tree that looks better than the ones from the kit, and cost next to nothing. The only problem with these trees is that the weeds used to make them are best found in late summer to fall when they are dead and dried.
With the method I mentioned above, I was able to forrest entire mountains in a weekend or two. If you’re looking for something a bit more bush-like try some green lichen from the LHS.
hob-e-tac is a very sticky glue. I find it to be somewhat messy and difficult to use. White glue will work, but hob-e-tac probably works better on Woodland Scenics tree kits because it is sticky.
Just follow the instructions. Your first trees probably won’t look too good but you will get better with practice. Observe real trees and try to mimic their look. The materials are readily available, so any trees you don’t like an easily be redone latter. The kits can be used to make good trees, but probably not “prize winners”.
Just relax and do it and don’t concentrate too hard on the job. When I was off work sick for an extended period, I made hundreds of useable trees from Woodland Scenics kits, while watching television.
Anyone have anymore tips?