It helps to keep up the momentum. The greatest challenge is keeping up the passion and momentum. I sustain my passion by cultivating the philosophy behind it as well. ;-) Cheers.
The beauty of finding a channel as rich in such high quality content and ideas as yours this far into it's life is that I have so much to watch and learn right away. Today is a good day.
First time watcher, insta subber! 1/35 scale military diorama-ist (if that's a word!) here, who has built enough shattered buildings and urban scenes, for now. Dying to try a Battle of the Bulge scene with lots of trees covered in snow. I've had a giant bag of micro balloons hanging around since my glass blowing, sand blasting days that's screaming to be sprinkled on some nicely modeled evergreen trees, but I wasn't sure how to make the trees. Thank you for this video! I now feel ready to begin making a forest in Bastogne! Wish me luck!
@@boomerdiorama Yeah! Same here. I still remember the first time I saw Shepperd Paine's dioramas on the Monogram model boxes. My first diorama was a pretty accurate copy of his burned out Panzer 4. In fact I had to prove to my friends that everything in that dio DID NOT come with the kit. I've been hooked ever since! Thanks again.
Another killer video. You've made me look at trees a whole different way. I know see all the modeled parts. Your videos have gotten me into a Zen modeling phase of how I do things. It's slowed down and way more enjoyable. Even something like applying decals has slowed down and more thought to it. Thank you.
Great video. You view all of your projects as models of the real thing and are able to capture the entirety of the essence of a real railroad, which is awesome. Many modelers’ layouts only capture running trains, but don’t see the track as a model, or structures as models, and so on. Part of what I enjoy in your videos is how thoroughly you “see” the world. This has improved my observation skills. Thanks for that. Thanks also for your philosophy of growing in one’s skills and how that keeps modeling continually new and rewarding. Sincerely, Kennedy
This is definitely a video I will return too several times once I attempt making trees! You covered a lot of information very clearly, in just 30 minutes.
Always great stuff! I think trees may be my favourite thing to model. And even though I may have modelled dozens and dozens, I learned a few things here that I know I will bring to my next go at it. When you airbrushed your trunks and the 12 & 7 mm static grass with the very dark brown, I kinda questioned why you went so dark. But, that dark layer of static clusters created a beautiful layer of shadow depth when you applied the final green, ground foam on top of it. It created an awesome result. The brighter foam on the dark layer of fibres was a just great modelling. That relative colour intensity of the green you chose is a brightness that you’d see on a rather bright day. Bright days create hard shadow. And it was there because you had that beautifully useful dark brown there, right under that bright green. Nice job. I love to learn and it’s a bonus when it’s a visual effect that really is a game changing one. Thanks for that.
Thank you. I think the modeler is always faced with a lighting dilemma. I always try to paint in a little light and shadow just in case things don't work out. ;-)
Thank you for your excellent tree modelling tips. I tried out the conifer, going for a Norway spruce. A friend came to visit, looked briefly at it and said "thats a larch". Proves the technique is good and that I don't quite master it yet.
again as always: Thank you Boomer for sahring with us and encouriging us to try/develop and test and to our own projects by sharing and showing yours. thank you and have a great new year
Thank you for going into more detail on how you make these delightful tree models. I am thinking I may want to wait for spring and do this on the patio to keep peace in the house.
Wow, I've made trees in other ways but this is different and will have to give it a try. The depth change using the wire, static grass and sawdust gives new light to the tree.
I Just wanted to thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge, simply perfect with all humility of being honest about your feelings and the down to earth theatre around the story you are telling. Your canvas is mega, intricate, experimental and open and good for you…and us, cheers
Ok, Boomer. I've gone back and watched these last two tree videos twice, as well as a couple of videos you did for your previous layout. Outstanding content! Can't wait for more of this! Thanks!
Beautiful job! I like your idea of placing a select few highly detailed trees adjacent to what might be called "photo spots" like bridges, and using filler trees for the rest of the layout.
Fantastic! These are the best videos.....when you go from A to Z on the process....thanks a bunch! Your videos got me back into modeling.....good modeling too!
Fantastic work, Boomer. For me the fun is trying to scale these techniques down to N scale. It is it's own challenge, but a few of these highly detailed trees can make a forest of furnace filter trees look really good.
Brilliant work Boomer those trees look amazing! a true work of art. The use of static grass to represent leaves is a great idea. Happy new year. - Nicholas.
Dear Boomer... I was introduced to your channel by @Rafael Vončina. He helped me out and showed me everything that he has learned from you, and I was able to make some AMAZING pine trees for my project. Offcourse we modyfied the aproach a little bit. The video will be out next week. Thank you for all your knowledge.
Yes indeed, Rafael is of the channels early subscribers. Glad to hear you are having fun with trees. It's O.K. if they differ, not one is the same anyway. Watch out though, tree building can become addictive. Cheers.
Okay, so I got all the materials and I'm going to rewind the videos a few times.... and give these trees a go! The modeling paste and gloss medium are really working out on a couple of RR related and unrelated projects!
As I was watching you build that tree I thought about that diorama you mentioned. If my memory serves me correct that was built for Weyerhaeuser. I don't think I've ever seen more realistic model trees in my life.
This episode is the prerequisite for the "Old Growth" tree tutorial. What follows is the Deciduous Tree episode, then the Old Growth Tree episode for the Cathedral grove transition scene. These methods are essential in order to build the limbs for the really big trees yet to come. ;-) Thank you Robert, and Happy New Year! Cheers ~ Boomer.
Wow! Thank you! I appreciate you supporting the channel. Please enjoy all the content under videos accessed through the "Home" page! Cheers ~ Boomer.😁👍
Thank you. I guess there is no stopping a modeler in terms of how far they can go with modeling a particular subject. Even then, it is quite humbling when we still fall short of the real thing. Although, in the end, we usually end up with a pleasing model. ;-) Cheers.
@@boomerdiorama very true and being humble is a very important thing. All I know is that I can definitely trace where I began and where I am at to see growth. Now I can go back and make improvements. In the end as long as we are happy we are enjoying our hobby.
Once again, your tree tutorials on modeling tree's is mind blowing. I'm still taking my time on my first conifer I'm building. In your newest series, will you still use Fiber paste and sifted dirt for the trunks? Also I would like to see some more in depth painting on your tree's. Please keep showing us more tutorials on this subject!! Pete from Seattle
I am glad to hear you are modeling a tree. You will find the depth of creativity (never the same tree twice), will be quite motivating, especially when you get a small grove built up. I will be using "Fiber Paste" in the "Old Growth" tree episode following soon. I have lot's of material in the can waiting for post production. I will cover some of the painting process as well. We miss 100% of the trees we don't model. ;-) Cheers and Happy New Year.
That's a pretty nice White Pine. No one makes any ready to plant models of those, but they are distinctive trees that those bottle brush conifers don't come to close to representing.
Thanks for a great video, so informative and fascinating. I’m just beginning on a scenic slot car layout and will definitely try this technique. Am I right in assuming the spray paint was water based?
Ok Boomer, I got the pre-painting flocking done. Ok for a first time. Got to order my paint to airbrush. Heck of a learning curve. I see why you say you would not want to do all the trees this way. Would take forever.
Yes indeed. It's a learning curve that is necessary if you want to advance your skills in the hobby. I have lot's of trees I consider fail but I am a better modeler for it. Go for it because there is no end to the model railroad curve anyway . . . lol. ;-)
@@boomerdiorama Been taking pictures of Loblolly Pines which have tall 18" trunks or larger at maturity, large sparse limbs that fork out covered in pine needles. Wondering if it would be better to make those like your old growth trees because of the height.
@@boomerdiorama Wow, that is a big tree trunk. The live oak in my front yard is 5' thru and over 50 years old. I want to try to model it after I get a hang of modeling deciduous trees.
I am so glad I found this tutorial, thank you for sharing. I am new to creating with my hands, I am mostly wanting to just make terrains, I am making a couple of these now, I loved your suggestion of getting bark dust from the hardware store, I would of never thought of that, I don't have an air brush yet so going to use rattle can of paint tomorrow and hopefully my end result will look as amazing as yours 😀 ALSO, do you add a final spray of glue to everything or does it hold up just the way it is?
I covered all that in other tree tutorials over-and-over again. For your information, this channel is not the typical "mainstream" tutorial style. It is a chronological Vlog of the whole build of the layout. I touch on just about everything at some point during the process.😁
Excellent video. Just beginning to work on trees so this is very timely. Where did you get the spiral bound tree reference book that you are working from? My layout philosophy aligns with yours exactly. Thanks again.
The book is: "Tree Book - Learning to Recognize Trees of British Columbia," Parish, Roberta, 1948. It was reprinted in 1960. Try amazon or Abe Books. ;-)
Boomer, I was wondering. Do you seal the finished trees like you do the rest of your scenery? I'm thinking of doing this to ease the dusting / cleaning, without damaging the models too much.
Yes I do Rafael. I spray them down liberally with Vallejo Acrylic "matte" varnish (outdoors). It seals up the flock (leaves) nicely, so they don't shed, and renders them dead flat.
Hi again, Just wondering... would it be better to prime any kind of model with black paint before spraying the final color ? Or this would be only when final colors are more of a light tone like orange, pale green or silver. Thanks LUC
I think it works best with final lighter tone colors, but not in all cases. The method I use is one of many. With the Highway Overpass I am building and painting right now I am going from White to Dark. But I explain why in the pending tutorial. Cheers.
Hey Boomer! Thanks for all the help. I have a question: I am following your suggestions very closely, but I wanted to ask before I shoot matte medium out of my airbrush...how do you clean it after? Just with straight water, or can I use isopropyl to get rid of all of the medium in the airbrush? Let me know, and thanks again!
I have a small tub on hand with IPA & water 50/50 that I submerse my (cheap) airbrush into while spraying the trees, etc. When done, I flush it out with straight IPA and a coarse stipple brush. You can also use acrylic "flat" spray from a spray can. Just make sure it is not lacquer or enamel based. The lacquers, acetone, solvents dry out and corrode the trees, flock, paint, etc. and they start to fall apart after a few years. Especially when you handle them. Cheers.
Beautiful art and an awesome reference video. Could you remind us of some preferred brands of quality matte medium? Is it a difference one needs to feel firsthand to understand?
Thank you. I use Liquitex Matte Medium. Seems to be the best for the money in my experience. You can use Mod Podge or Carpenter Glue if you desire. I prefer the former (Liquitex Matte Medium) because it dry's flat clear, stays rubbery, flexible, and takes heavy dilution well. Cheers.
You have to decide for yourself. These trees are incredibly durable if you are willing to put the time in. Furthermore, if the layout is small like this, then this method makes sense if you plan to keep the layout for a long time like several decades. At the end of the day you have to decide for yourself. Cheers.
Hey Boomer, watched a video of an interview with you. Finally got to see what you looked like! Nice to put a face to a voice. Watched a video of Geordie Crafts where your and Luke's name was mentioned. She drills thru the tree for the wire before twisting the plumber's hemp into the wire. Do you find that method any better that individually gluing each individual branch into the trunk? Or it just up to the individual? She emphasized not over flocking the trees also. Thanks
There is no "one" particular method. I use and combine them all. It depends on how you feel about the process when modeling a particular tree. Some of my trees are modeled the way you mentioned as well. Some are modeled differently depending on the mood I am in. Cheers and thanks for sharing.😁
If you finish any of those and don't use them, let me know. 😁 I'm patiently looking forward to the painting & weathering of the buildings and the 'painting' of the murky water. You get snow yet?
O.K. . . . Unfortunately, the unpainted "murky" water surface is my paint booth right now :-) Yes, we did get a big dump of snow. At least it was dry and powdery which made it easy to shovel. The romance of a white Christmas fades fast when you have to get out of bed to shovel it. ;-( Cheers and Happy New Year.
Hello Boomer, please tell me what book you are looking at in the first part of your video. I have just started researching trees and that book could be very useful. I love all of your videos! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Great idea! Use your cheap airbrush for this with high pressure. I don't normally spray matte medium through the airbrush, but I have on occasion with trees. Make sure you have a small container with IPA so you can dunk your airbrush into it when you lay it down. The matte medium can "gunk" up the tip pretty fast in warmer weather. Stay on top of it. Cheers.
Boomer, I was wondering if I am using too much paint in my mixing bottle when painting trees. I have put about 1/8" paint and the rest acohol. Is that too much paint. It does not go very far. I get about 4 air brush cup full and then the original bottle worth of a new bottle of paint. Can I thing it out to about 1/16" of paint?
Sure, Thin it more. Get in closer with the airbrush (like a pencil) and spray small amount. Also, pile up tree armatures underneath when you spray into them, You can also use a spray bomb outside as well for bulk coverage.
One down 35 to go? I am looking forward to seeing these divide the scene as you originally had stated a row of trees. Thanks Boomer and Happy New Year to you and yours😃
Absolutely it would! Trees are subjective in terms of their size relative to various scales. In fact, most of the trees I have built over the last few decades were bigger scale like "O" (1/48) scale. Depending where you live trees are almost always taller than what we actually model anyway. 😉
What you see there is a light dusting of "fine" saw dust. It helps create a texture to hold the 12mm static grass (to the wire) which I thatch onto the loops after it is dry. ;-)
I watched this when it first came out, now I'm doing trees so I'm back. The birds in the background is that a track you laid over the video or is that the sound of your reality as you're modeling. Pretty cool either way. Cheers Uncle Boomer
@@boomerdiorama I was watching the video and heard all them birds thinking what a wonderful soundtrack to model trees to, that's awesome you have so many around. Also I've noticed your subscriber count has been steadily climbing and you get a lot of comments. I think it's so cool that you try and for the most part succeed to respond to each of them. It's an awesome feeling to know that someone you look up to actually takes the time for you. Greatly appreciate it Freddy
Hi Boomer, Your tutorial is exceptional! I have watched many and I rate yours at the top of my list. I am inspired. What is the title and author of the wire bound book on trees that is used in your video? Thanks. Mike
Bonjour c'est vraiment beau ce que vous faites, je voudrais savoir le nom du produit que vous utilisez en début de vidéo pour faire le feuillage vert clair et ce que vous appliquez sur le tron de l'arbre. Merci
Yes. But DO NOT USE LACQUER or ENAMEL PAINT. Use acrylic. The lacquer or enamel will attack and erode the flocking in due time, dry out the tree, and it will eventually fall apart and shed all the detritus onto your track, locomotive gearboxes, etc.
Great video and spectacular channel, I congratulate you, you are a teacher. Could you please tell me what the title of the book you use for trees is, and who the author is. Thanks a lot. Greetings from the Kingdom of Spain.
Hi, I was wondering if it was possible to use real wood branches for the tree structure and treat it with some type of coating, to ensure the durability of the wood. Have you studied this possibility, rather than fabricating the structure of your trees from scratch? It seems to me that in one of your videos, which I can't find anymore, you use a fiber coating.
Wood is wood, and fine branches will deteriorate after some time and grow brittle. The key to preventing decay with wood branches, at this level, is to soak the them in Isopropyl Alcohol first to clean off the biological bacteria which is corrosive in the long run. Then paint them with (water based) acrylic paint - not enamel! I scratch mine from wire for indefinite longevity. Have fun and do whatever you want. We all contribute to the art in one way or another. Cheers.😁
@@boomerdiorama Is it you in one of your videos where you use a Kind of medium with fibers. May be this kind of structure could persist a long time even if the wood inside of it don't last forever ?
Boomer, at 25:00 in the video, you were painting a different kind of tree on the left with longer heavier branches and trunk. Was this tree made the way you showed in another video where limbs are made separately and attached to the trunk?
No. Those are the standard "wire" spun trees, with loops, as I demonstrate in the tree tutorials. I usually use separate limbs for the larger trees for a different look. Separate limbs provide more options to use them as deciduous trees or branches for conifers, etc.
Great work. Beautiful. And your techniques, and presentation are excellent. But, how did you secure the 4mil? Did you use some spray glue, or brush it on? And that reference book seems handy. What's it's title? Thanks, Ralph
The book is, "The Tree Book" - Learning to Recognize Trees of British Columbia." I used a brush to apply glue for most of the static grass on the feature trees. You can use spray adhesive but it gets out of hand and you loose control fast. Cheers.
@@rrl4245 I cut my early modeling teeth on the military diorama. Some good books are from Sheperd Paine, François Verlinden, and Ray Anderson. ;-) ruclips.net/video/2TQTztvtbP0/видео.html
Fabulous tutorials! Really inspiring. What was the book reference that you used for the trees? I'd love to get a hold of one. Seems pretty on target - detail and location to boot. Keep the videos coming. They are stellar!
The book is: "Tree Book - Learning to Recognize Trees of British Columbia," Parish, Roberta, 1948. It was reprinted in 1960. Try amazon or AbeBooks. ;-) Cheers ~ Boomer.
Boomer, what do you do to increase the size of the trunk? I finished the wire loops and have a 12"+ tree. But the trunk looks too small for a tree this tall. Do I just keep adding fiber paste rill I get the size trunk that looks correct? Do you have an email address?
Toilet paper works great for building up trunk thickness, then wet it down and add thin layer fiber paste. You can add more fiber paste as well. It builds up well. You can also use more wire, etc. You only really need to thicken the bottom section some.
Excellent technique. Like the modeling philosophy commentary.
It helps to keep up the momentum. The greatest challenge is keeping up the passion and momentum. I sustain my passion by cultivating the philosophy behind it as well. ;-) Cheers.
It's so realistic you can even hear the birds in the tree!! Now that's artistry! 😉😋
Thank you! Cheers!
The beauty of finding a channel as rich in such high quality content and ideas as yours this far into it's life is that I have so much to watch and learn right away. Today is a good day.
Wow, thank you!
First time watcher, insta subber! 1/35 scale military diorama-ist (if that's a word!) here, who has built enough shattered buildings and urban scenes, for now. Dying to try a Battle of the Bulge scene with lots of trees covered in snow. I've had a giant bag of micro balloons hanging around since my glass blowing, sand blasting days that's screaming to be sprinkled on some nicely modeled evergreen trees, but I wasn't sure how to make the trees. Thank you for this video! I now feel ready to begin making a forest in Bastogne! Wish me luck!
I grew up on 1/35the scale dioramas with the old Monogram and Tamiya kits. Thanks for the sub and good luck!
Cheers ~ Boomer.
@@boomerdiorama Yeah! Same here. I still remember the first time I saw Shepperd Paine's dioramas on the Monogram model boxes. My first diorama was a pretty accurate copy of his burned out Panzer 4. In fact I had to prove to my friends that everything in that dio DID NOT come with the kit. I've been hooked ever since! Thanks again.
Another killer video. You've made me look at trees a whole different way. I know see all the modeled parts. Your videos have gotten me into a Zen modeling phase of how I do things. It's slowed down and way more enjoyable. Even something like applying decals has slowed down and more thought to it. Thank you.
Thank you. Trees make for awesome models for sure. ;-)
Great video. You view all of your projects as models of the real thing and are able to capture the entirety of the essence of a real railroad, which is awesome. Many modelers’ layouts only capture running trains, but don’t see the track as a model, or structures as models, and so on. Part of what I enjoy in your videos is how thoroughly you “see” the world. This has improved my observation skills. Thanks for that. Thanks also for your philosophy of growing in one’s skills and how that keeps modeling continually new and rewarding. Sincerely, Kennedy
Well done and thank you Kennedy. You just summed up my sentiments exactly! Cheers ~ Boomer.
This is definitely a video I will return too several times once I attempt making trees! You covered a lot of information very clearly, in just 30 minutes.
Glad it was helpful! I might return to it as well when I forget the process . . . lol. ;-) Cheers and Happy New Year! ~ Boomer.
Always great stuff! I think trees may be my favourite thing to model. And even though I may have modelled dozens and dozens, I learned a few things here that I know I will bring to my next go at it. When you airbrushed your trunks and the 12 & 7 mm static grass with the very dark brown, I kinda questioned why you went so dark. But, that dark layer of static clusters created a beautiful layer of shadow depth when you applied the final green, ground foam on top of it. It created an awesome result. The brighter foam on the dark layer of fibres was a just great modelling. That relative colour intensity of the green you chose is a brightness that you’d see on a rather bright day. Bright days create hard shadow. And it was there because you had that beautifully useful dark brown there, right under that bright green. Nice job. I love to learn and it’s a bonus when it’s a visual effect that really is a game changing one. Thanks for that.
Thank you. I think the modeler is always faced with a lighting dilemma. I always try to paint in a little light and shadow just in case things don't work out. ;-)
Making trees has been more difficult and more fun than I would’ve imagined.
They are a challenge at first. Then they become a commitment, then they become a reward!
Well you learn something new everyday, happy you flocked and and didn't get flogged in the process!
Yes! Thank you! Happy New Year!
Thank you for your excellent tree modelling tips. I tried out the conifer, going for a Norway spruce. A friend came to visit, looked briefly at it and said "thats a larch". Proves the technique is good and that I don't quite master it yet.
That's O.K. I get tree types in my mind and an obscure conifer comes out, and then who cares if it looks good? Cheers ! Boomer.
again as always: Thank you Boomer for sahring with us and encouriging us to try/develop and test and to our own projects by sharing and showing yours.
thank you and have a great new year
My pleasure! Happy New Year!
Thank you for going into more detail on how you make these delightful tree models. I am thinking I may want to wait for spring and do this on the patio to keep peace in the house.
Lol . . . O.K. Sounds good. Happy New Year!
The most realistic tree I have seen since the beginning of Covid watching and that is many hours and many days!
These ones began during the pandemic.
Wow, I've made trees in other ways but this is different and will have to give it a try. The depth change using the wire, static grass and sawdust gives new light to the tree.
Have fun! Happy New Year!
Great job Boomer as always. I have to try it in n scale. I’m always running up to my layout to try something new after watching you. Thank you Otto
N Scale is doable. In fact they are easier to spin because of the smaller size.
I Just wanted to thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge, simply perfect with all humility of being honest about your feelings and the down to earth theatre around the story you are telling.
Your canvas is mega, intricate, experimental and open and good for you…and us, cheers
I appreciate that! Thanks for sharing. Cheers ~ Boomer.
Ok, Boomer. I've gone back and watched these last two tree videos twice, as well as a couple of videos you did for your previous layout. Outstanding content! Can't wait for more of this! Thanks!
Glad you like them! The next episode will be about the deciduous tree . . . then the "Old" growth "Cathedral" style tree. ;-) Cheers.
Это лучший способ по созданию ели, что я видел на ютубе в соотношении качество - время ! 😊👍спасибо вам большое!
Cheers!
Another masterclass, and wonderfully presented. thank you!
Thank you kindly!
I’m so happy to find your channel, love your method of tutoring. Thank you!
Welcome!
Beautiful job! I like your idea of placing a select few highly detailed trees adjacent to what might be called "photo spots" like bridges, and using filler trees for the rest of the layout.
Awesome, thank you! The idea does work well in my experience. Cheers and Happy New Year.
You do fantastic work - love the details.
Thank you very much! Happy New Year!
Fantastic! These are the best videos.....when you go from A to Z on the process....thanks a bunch! Your videos got me back into modeling.....good modeling too!
Great to hear!
Fantastic stuff.
Definitely a video I'll be coming back too.
Very clearly explained, and a great technique!
Thank you! Happy New Year!
Just what I need. Decent trees at a proper height...and I need water( that's coming )
And as a side note .. Happy New Year Boomer.
Yes ! Thank you! Happy New Year to you as well. Cheers ~ Boomer.
Amazing Video. Thanks for showing. Your trees looking absolutly realistic. Greetings from Germany
Thank you very much! Nice to hear from Europe! Cheers ~ Boomer.
Beautiful trees. A nice simple method that, like a lot of what we model, uses layers to get the results we are looking for. Very nice. Cheers - Larry.
Thank you Larry. Happy New Year!
@@boomerdiorama Yes, Happy New Year !! Stay safe, Larry.
Thanks for the effort to prepare these vlogs and learnt a few new ideas today, its a good day
My pleasure 😊
Fantastic work, Boomer. For me the fun is trying to scale these techniques down to N scale. It is it's own challenge, but a few of these highly detailed trees can make a forest of furnace filter trees look really good.
Right on!
Brilliant work Boomer those trees look amazing! a true work of art. The use of static grass to represent leaves is a great idea. Happy new year. - Nicholas.
Thank you! Cheers!
excellent idea !....stem wire. I really like the way you design your pines
It's one of many cool ways for sure. Cheers.
Very good job Sir, very nice. Thank you for sharing yours knowledge, tips and tricks. Best Regards
You are most welcome!
Awesome how to video, thank you for your wonderful channel !
Thank you and my pleasure.
Using sawdust to give the trunk texture and bulk is excellent. I wish I had done that on the one I’m building now. Good video mate
Yes. The sawdust works well.
This channel is awesome!! Thank you for taking the time to make this excellent content 🙏
You are welcome!😁
Dear Boomer... I was introduced to your channel by @Rafael Vončina. He helped me out and showed me everything that he has learned from you, and I was able to make some AMAZING pine trees for my project. Offcourse we modyfied the aproach a little bit. The video will be out next week. Thank you for all your knowledge.
Yes indeed, Rafael is of the channels early subscribers. Glad to hear you are having fun with trees. It's O.K. if they differ, not one is the same anyway. Watch out though, tree building can become addictive. Cheers.
Okay, so I got all the materials and I'm going to rewind the videos a few times.... and give these trees a go! The modeling paste and gloss medium are really working out on a couple of RR related and unrelated projects!
That is good to hear! Have fun and embrace the mistakes, it's part of the process and subsequent reward! Cheers.
Very nice and realistic trees! I call it wonderful! Best Regards Railherbie
Thank you very much!
As I was watching you build that tree I thought about that diorama you mentioned. If my memory serves me correct that was built for Weyerhaeuser. I don't think I've ever seen more realistic model trees in my life.
This episode is the prerequisite for the "Old Growth" tree tutorial. What follows is the Deciduous Tree episode, then the Old Growth Tree episode for the Cathedral grove transition scene. These methods are essential in order to build the limbs for the really big trees yet to come. ;-) Thank you Robert, and Happy New Year! Cheers ~ Boomer.
Wow and wow awesome work boomer. You have set the bar very high
Thank you kindly. Happy New Year!
That there is a tree! Great tutorial, just place an order for 18 gauge stem wire and 24 gauge floral wire!
Wonderful! Have fun and don't worry about making mistakes and your confidence will grow with each tree! Cheers ~ Boomer.
Fantastic trees,and a brilliant method thanks for sharing ! liked,subscribed and dinged the bell!
Wow! Thank you! I appreciate you supporting the channel. Please enjoy all the content under videos accessed through the "Home" page! Cheers ~ Boomer.😁👍
Very helpful and liking the mind set. You make many good points worth taking note of. Happy new year!
Thank you. I guess there is no stopping a modeler in terms of how far they can go with modeling a particular subject. Even then, it is quite humbling when we still fall short of the real thing. Although, in the end, we usually end up with a pleasing model. ;-) Cheers.
@@boomerdiorama very true and being humble is a very important thing. All I know is that I can definitely trace where I began and where I am at to see growth. Now I can go back and make improvements. In the end as long as we are happy we are enjoying our hobby.
Very nice ans VERY informative! Thanks so much for sharing. I will be doing some trees like this VERY soon! Keep the vids coming! Happy New Year!!!
Thanks, you too!
Very good, great video, beautiful tree!
😁
ruclips.net/video/9Mxi_TAzILk/видео.html
Once again, your tree tutorials on modeling tree's is mind blowing. I'm still taking my time on my first conifer I'm building. In your newest series, will you still use Fiber paste and sifted dirt for the trunks? Also I would like to see some more in depth painting on your tree's. Please keep showing us more tutorials on this subject!!
Pete from Seattle
I am glad to hear you are modeling a tree. You will find the depth of creativity (never the same tree twice), will be quite motivating, especially when you get a small grove built up. I will be using "Fiber Paste" in the "Old Growth" tree episode following soon. I have lot's of material in the can waiting for post production. I will cover some of the painting process as well. We miss 100% of the trees we don't model. ;-) Cheers and Happy New Year.
@@boomerdiorama keep up the incredible work Boomer!! And Happy New Year's!!
Great video! I will be trying this soon!
Hope you enjoy!
Excellent 👍🏼, thank you.
Thank you! happy New year!
Very interesting,greetings from Slovakia
Thank you very much! Cheers from the west coast of Canada!
That's a pretty nice White Pine. No one makes any ready to plant models of those, but they are distinctive trees that those bottle brush conifers don't come to close to representing.
I can't stand RTR trees. They look so much better built up.
Your trees are phenomenal!
Thank you. They take some work but the results are worth it! Cheers and thanks for sharing. ~ Boomer.
I am going to try this procedure in n- scale, going to be fun.
Have fun!
Beautiful tree well done.
Thank you! Cheers!
Thanks for a great video, so informative and fascinating. I’m just beginning on a scenic slot car layout and will definitely try this technique. Am I right in assuming the spray paint was water based?
Acrylic based.
Ok Boomer, I got the pre-painting flocking done. Ok for a first time. Got to order my paint to airbrush. Heck of a learning curve. I see why you say you would not want to do all the trees this way. Would take forever.
Yes indeed. It's a learning curve that is necessary if you want to advance your skills in the hobby. I have lot's of trees I consider fail but I am a better modeler for it. Go for it because there is no end to the model railroad curve anyway . . . lol. ;-)
@@boomerdiorama Been taking pictures of Loblolly Pines which have tall 18" trunks or larger at maturity, large sparse limbs that fork out covered in pine needles. Wondering if it would be better to make those like your old growth trees because of the height.
@@railfan1956 There is a brad leaf maple down the road from my place and the trunk is over eight feet across!
@@boomerdiorama Wow, that is a big tree trunk. The live oak in my front yard is 5' thru and over 50 years old. I want to try to model it after I get a hang of modeling deciduous trees.
Great Trees but what about making a weighted base for the tree so it could be moved around on a layout without it toppling over ? many thanks
None of my trees topple over. They are all pinned in place and easily pulled as well.
I am so glad I found this tutorial, thank you for sharing. I am new to creating with my hands, I am mostly wanting to just make terrains, I am making a couple of these now, I loved your suggestion of getting bark dust from the hardware store, I would of never thought of that, I don't have an air brush yet so going to use rattle can of paint tomorrow and hopefully my end result will look as amazing as yours 😀 ALSO, do you add a final spray of glue to everything or does it hold up just the way it is?
I like to spray down the tree with flat clear coat when I am done.
Thanks for the detailed lesson. One question: What happened between 13:25 - 13:30? The tree went from bare wire, to a slight foliage.
I covered all that in other tree tutorials over-and-over again. For your information, this channel is not the typical "mainstream" tutorial style. It is a chronological Vlog of the whole build of the layout. I touch on just about everything at some point during the process.😁
The man's tree work is off the chart. You still run back&forth slow. I'll run laps&will put all the miles on my stuff lol. Still watchin🚂🇨🇦
I bet your locomotives run smoother than mine ;-) No miles on my locomotives so they stiffen up with carbon . . . lol. Cheers and Happy New Year!
Happy 2022 Boomer
I am using fine scale aquarium sand - waiting to air brush the tree to see whether it works. But I snipped before I flocked 😳
Sounds great!
Hi Boomer, the craft store near me only had Golden matte medium. Do you know if this works as well as the Liquitex? Thanks.
Yes. The Golden (Matte Medium) works very well. Don't mix it with IPA though. It can cause "white-spots."
Excellent video. Just beginning to work on trees so this is very timely. Where did you get the spiral bound tree reference book that you are working from? My layout philosophy aligns with yours exactly. Thanks again.
The book is: "Tree Book - Learning to Recognize Trees of British Columbia," Parish, Roberta, 1948. It was reprinted in 1960. Try amazon or Abe Books. ;-)
Boomer, I was wondering. Do you seal the finished trees like you do the rest of your scenery? I'm thinking of doing this to ease the dusting / cleaning, without damaging the models too much.
Yes I do Rafael. I spray them down liberally with Vallejo Acrylic "matte" varnish (outdoors). It seals up the flock (leaves) nicely, so they don't shed, and renders them dead flat.
@@boomerdiorama OK, great. I'll go with that. And thanks for answering so quickly.
Hi again,
Just wondering... would it be better to prime any kind of model with black paint before spraying the final color ? Or this would be only when final colors are more of a light tone like orange, pale green or silver.
Thanks
LUC
I think it works best with final lighter tone colors, but not in all cases. The method I use is one of many. With the Highway Overpass I am building and painting right now I am going from White to Dark. But I explain why in the pending tutorial. Cheers.
Thanks. I'll be watching it wirth interest. Keep on your good work.
Hey Boomer! Thanks for all the help. I have a question: I am following your suggestions very closely, but I wanted to ask before I shoot matte medium out of my airbrush...how do you clean it after? Just with straight water, or can I use isopropyl to get rid of all of the medium in the airbrush? Let me know, and thanks again!
I have a small tub on hand with IPA & water 50/50 that I submerse my (cheap) airbrush into while spraying the trees, etc. When done, I flush it out with straight IPA and a coarse stipple brush. You can also use acrylic "flat" spray from a spray can. Just make sure it is not lacquer or enamel based. The lacquers, acetone, solvents dry out and corrode the trees, flock, paint, etc. and they start to fall apart after a few years. Especially when you handle them. Cheers.
Thanks for the info, Boomer! Your channel has been a game changer for me, that's for sure!!@@boomerdiorama
Beautiful art and an awesome reference video. Could you remind us of some preferred brands of quality matte medium? Is it a difference one needs to feel firsthand to understand?
Thank you. I use Liquitex Matte Medium. Seems to be the best for the money in my experience. You can use Mod Podge or Carpenter Glue if you desire. I prefer the former (Liquitex Matte Medium) because it dry's flat clear, stays rubbery, flexible, and takes heavy dilution well. Cheers.
What is your opinion of using seafoam for trees. I would think they are not as durable as the ones you make.
You have to decide for yourself. These trees are incredibly durable if you are willing to put the time in.
Furthermore, if the layout is small like this, then this method makes sense if you plan to keep the layout for a long time like several decades. At the end of the day you have to decide for yourself. Cheers.
Love it. Thanks
My pleasure!
Great!
They take some work but give back big!
Hey Boomer, watched a video of an interview with you. Finally got to see what you looked like! Nice to put a face to a voice. Watched a video of Geordie Crafts where your and Luke's name was mentioned. She drills thru the tree for the wire before twisting the plumber's hemp into the wire. Do you find that method any better that individually gluing each individual branch into the trunk? Or it just up to the individual? She emphasized not over flocking the trees also. Thanks
There is no "one" particular method. I use and combine them all. It depends on how you feel about the process when modeling a particular tree. Some of my trees are modeled the way you mentioned as well. Some are modeled differently depending on the mood I am in. Cheers and thanks for sharing.😁
If you finish any of those and don't use them, let me know. 😁
I'm patiently looking forward to the painting & weathering of the buildings and the 'painting' of the murky water.
You get snow yet?
O.K. . . . Unfortunately, the unpainted "murky" water surface is my paint booth right now :-) Yes, we did get a big dump of snow. At least it was dry and powdery which made it easy to shovel. The romance of a white Christmas fades fast when you have to get out of bed to shovel it. ;-( Cheers and Happy New Year.
Hello Boomer, please tell me what book you are looking at in the first part of your video. I have just started researching trees and that book could be very useful. I love all of your videos! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
The Tree Book - Learning to Recognize Trees of British Columbia.
Hi Boomer - do you spray matt medium through the airbrush? I figured you can because isopropyl will clean it out
Great idea! Use your cheap airbrush for this with high pressure. I don't normally spray matte medium through the airbrush, but I have on occasion with trees. Make sure you have a small container with IPA so you can dunk your airbrush into it when you lay it down. The matte medium can "gunk" up the tip pretty fast in warmer weather. Stay on top of it. Cheers.
@@boomerdiorama Thx Boomer. That is the plan when I flock the trees. I have a decent size compressor and cheap airbrush so will give it a go.
Boomer, I was wondering if I am using too much paint in my mixing bottle when painting trees. I have put about 1/8" paint and the rest acohol. Is that too much paint. It does not go very far. I get about 4 air brush cup full and then the original bottle worth of a new bottle of paint. Can I thing it out to about 1/16" of paint?
Sure, Thin it more. Get in closer with the airbrush (like a pencil) and spray small amount. Also, pile up tree armatures underneath when you spray into them, You can also use a spray bomb outside as well for bulk coverage.
One down 35 to go? I am looking forward to seeing these divide the scene as you originally had stated a row of trees. Thanks Boomer and Happy New Year to you and yours😃
Lol . . . O.K. Most are built already at this moment. ;-) Cheers to you as well!
Fantastic work, Boomer. Would that approach work in O-scale with a dowel rod trunk? Cheers Chris in Ottawa.
Absolutely it would! Trees are subjective in terms of their size relative to various scales. In fact, most of the trees I have built over the last few decades were bigger scale like "O" (1/48) scale. Depending where you live trees are almost always taller than what we actually model anyway. 😉
Hi Boomer - @13:30 it looks like the "naked" loops are covered with 2mm static grass. Is that correct?
What you see there is a light dusting of "fine" saw dust. It helps create a texture to hold the 12mm static grass (to the wire) which I thatch onto the loops after it is dry. ;-)
@@boomerdiorama thx Boomer
I watched this when it first came out, now I'm doing trees so I'm back. The birds in the background is that a track you laid over the video or is that the sound of your reality as you're modeling. Pretty cool either way.
Cheers Uncle Boomer
I have many birds around here so I'm not sure. It might be. Over 400 hundred videos and can't be sure. 😉
@@boomerdiorama I was watching the video and heard all them birds thinking what a wonderful soundtrack to model trees to, that's awesome you have so many around. Also I've noticed your subscriber count has been steadily climbing and you get a lot of comments. I think it's so cool that you try and for the most part succeed to respond to each of them. It's an awesome feeling to know that someone you look up to actually takes the time for you.
Greatly appreciate it
Freddy
Hi Boomer,
Your tutorial is exceptional! I have watched many and I rate yours at the top of my list. I am inspired.
What is the title and author of the wire bound book on trees that is used in your video?
Thanks. Mike
Thank you. It's another method you can combine to your established skill set. ;-)
Bonjour c'est vraiment beau ce que vous faites, je voudrais savoir le nom du produit que vous utilisez en début de vidéo pour faire le feuillage vert clair et ce que vous appliquez sur le tron de l'arbre. Merci
I use Woodland Scenic 12mm Static Grass for foliage and Golden Fiber Paste for the trunk.
Thank you. Cheers.😁
@@boomerdiorama merci
Three dimensional art; the painting comes to life…
Yes!
Drunken Spruce. Ask me about driving to Alaska through BC and Yukon and seeing groves of them.
Wow! That is a remarkable drive you speak of. Happy New Year Chuck!
I don't have a air brush, can I use a spray paint insteed?
Yes. But DO NOT USE LACQUER or ENAMEL PAINT. Use acrylic. The lacquer or enamel will attack and erode the flocking in due time, dry out the tree, and it will eventually fall apart and shed all the detritus onto your track, locomotive gearboxes, etc.
Great video and spectacular channel, I congratulate you, you are a teacher.
Could you please tell me what the title of the book you use for trees is, and who the author is.
Thanks a lot.
Greetings from the Kingdom of Spain.
The Book Title is "Tree Book: Learning to recognize Trees of British Columbia." The Author is Parish, Roberta 1948. This is the ISBN # 0-7726-2159-4
Hi,
I was wondering if it was possible to use real wood branches for the tree structure and treat it with some type of coating, to ensure the durability of the wood. Have you studied this possibility, rather than fabricating the structure of your trees from scratch?
It seems to me that in one of your videos, which I can't find anymore, you use a fiber coating.
Wood is wood, and fine branches will deteriorate after some time and grow brittle. The key to preventing decay with wood branches, at this level, is to soak the them in Isopropyl Alcohol first to clean off the biological bacteria which is corrosive in the long run. Then paint them with (water based) acrylic paint - not enamel!
I scratch mine from wire for indefinite longevity. Have fun and do whatever you want. We all contribute to the art in one way or another. Cheers.😁
@@boomerdiorama alcohol is certainly a great method. And what about if in addition you put it in microwave?
@@boomerdiorama Is it you in one of your videos where you use a Kind of medium with fibers. May be this kind of structure could persist a long time even if the wood inside of it don't last forever ?
I am new to n gauge and found this video so very helpful - i just wonder how long it will be before I can be as good
Just have fun and enjoy the learning curve. Challenge yourself. We are all in this hobby together in one way or another. Cheers.
Thanks
Thank you Peter! You are awesome!
First time watcher of your videos what type of wire are you using
I use craft wire or florist wire from Michael's Craft store. Hobby Lobby might carry some of it as well. It has a green coating on it.
Hi, great tutorial and beautiful result. Which static gras are you using ? Brand and colour? Thank you
Woodland Scenics 12mm light green.
Boomer, at 25:00 in the video, you were painting a different kind of tree on the left with longer heavier branches and trunk. Was this tree made the way you showed in another video where limbs are made separately and attached to the trunk?
No. Those are the standard "wire" spun trees, with loops, as I demonstrate in the tree tutorials. I usually use separate limbs for the larger trees for a different look. Separate limbs provide more options to use them as deciduous trees or branches for conifers, etc.
Great work. Beautiful. And your techniques, and presentation are excellent. But, how did you secure the 4mil? Did you use some spray glue, or brush it on? And that reference book seems handy. What's it's title? Thanks, Ralph
The book is, "The Tree Book" - Learning to Recognize Trees of British Columbia." I used a brush to apply glue for most of the static grass on the feature trees. You can use spray adhesive but it gets out of hand and you loose control fast. Cheers.
@@boomerdiorama Thanks I will be trying to cop[y you. (BTW: I'm a military diorama Boomer, not a RR Boomer.)
@@rrl4245 I cut my early modeling teeth on the military diorama. Some good books are from Sheperd Paine, François Verlinden, and Ray Anderson. ;-) ruclips.net/video/2TQTztvtbP0/видео.html
Brilliant work
Thanks for sharing, can I ask, what is the book called that you use for reference.
Thanks again
The "Tree Book" - Learning to Recognize Trees of British Columbia, Parish, Roberta, 1948. (reprinted in 1960). You can probably find it on amazon.
Fabulous tutorials! Really inspiring.
What was the book reference that you used for the trees? I'd love to get a hold of one. Seems pretty on target - detail and location to boot.
Keep the videos coming. They are stellar!
The book is: "Tree Book - Learning to Recognize Trees of British Columbia," Parish, Roberta, 1948. It was reprinted in 1960. Try amazon or AbeBooks. ;-) Cheers ~ Boomer.
@@boomerdiorama Thank you for sharing the name of the book. I got a copy and it is indeed wonderful!
Keep the videos coming. They are superb!!!
@@ronprzygodzki5838 Thank you!
Boomer, what do you do to increase the size of the trunk? I finished the wire loops and have a 12"+ tree. But the trunk looks too small for a tree this tall. Do I just keep adding fiber paste rill I get the size trunk that looks correct? Do you have an email address?
Toilet paper works great for building up trunk thickness, then wet it down and add thin layer fiber paste. You can add more fiber paste as well. It builds up well. You can also use more wire, etc. You only really need to thicken the bottom section some.
@@boomerdiorama Do i need to cut the paste some? This stuff is pretty thick and not easy to work around the loops base.
@@railfan1956 You can cut it with tap water to your hearts content.😁
I love the book you use for these trees. Can you share the name and author again? I am sorry if you have posted this before.
Tree Book - Learning to Recognize Trees of British Columbia ISBN 0-7726-2159-4
@@boomerdioramathank you!! Happy modeling!!
Thanks!
Wow! Thank You! Cheers ~ Boomer.
🦅 Trees they not simply grow - they get modeled and placed to appear 🦉
Cheers! Happy New Year!
Please tell me the name of the book you show in the video. I have to have it.
It's called 'Tree Book" Learning to Recognize Trees of British Columbia - Parish, Roberta, 1948. Republished in 1995.
@@boomerdiorama Thank you.