Why do I Model Scale Trees? | River Road ~ Vlog # 152
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- Опубликовано: 4 сен 2024
- Modeling a tree makes me a better modeler. A well modeled tree, coupled to support scenery, makes a layout or diorama pop more than any other scenery element in my experience. Sure, they are a challenge, but I never found the path of least resistance advances my skill set much. I would venture to say, most modelers fail to dedicate the necessary time into developing their scenery skill set, yet it seems to pay the greatest rewards.
In addition, It only takes one well modeled tree to make a dozen generic ones look great!
RUclips Audio Library: Pray - Anno Domini Beats
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I finally tried this tree technique last night. It was a lot easier than I thought, and a lot of fun. Surprisingly, my first two trees came out good enough for the layout. I didn't have sand, so I used sanded tile grout. I had some green poly fiber stretched thin and flocked with fine ground foam, so I used that for the foliage. Question: Why did it take me so long to try this? Something to do with the Fear of Art, I guess. I wonder if Paul Simon ever had that problem... 😝 - Thanks Boomer - Bill.
Most model railroaders never admit they are artists' because they fear the "artist" stigma will undermine their masculinity. ;-)
I keep going back to your tree videos. Absolutely amazing! Thanks, Boomer!
The more you build the better you get. I am in thick with a few dozen more
right now. ;-)
lately, some of your videos have been the most inspiring of my 2022! I hope you realize how inspiring they are (and you are!)!
😁👍Good to hear because you all inspire me as well! Cheers.
It’s been almost a year I’ve made trees and I started to miss it so I started making a few the other day. It’s become one of my favorite things to model.
Sounds great!
Thank you for another great tutorial and lecture to reinforce what you show. looking forward to what you have planned for 2023!
Wow! Thank you JC. I appreciate the gift as always. Bless you. Cheers ~ Boomer. 😁
@@boomerdiorama you’re welcome! I hope more subscribers show their appreciation in a similar manner.
Your tree tutorials are the best !
Glad you like them!
Headed to the work bench to try something new. Thank You, and Happy New Year.
😁
bet your MOW supervisor loves those huge trees on that industrial siding - roots under the roadbed and dropped branches making more work for his crew ! HA ..........
You should see some sections of the SRY prototype - worse than mine. Roller coaster grade, tree overhangs everywhere, bumps in the road, etc. . . . lol.😁
Thanks for the tutorial! I made my first tree ever last night and it looks amazing. I've been watching your tutorials and they're very helpful. Thanks again!
That sounds awesome. They do take some work but they are well worth it in my experience. Cheers!
So basically get it to look like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree and go from there. LOL!
Great video Boomer! I picked up a few ideas from your video that I didn’t get from other videos.
Thanks and have a great new year!
Trees are kind of mystical. When you build them you grow in a way that is unexplainable. If you devote the time, they reward every modeler. ;-)
Yes, Yes and Yes. Just ordered another Golden Matte Med, 7 mm fiber and Golden with fiber. Cheers and Happy New Year.
Happy new year!
I am so into building trees at the moment - hands down they look so much better than the furnace filter versions.
The more you build them the better they get. They even get better when you return to building them after a break as well. I still study photos of trees when I build them.
Wonderful ! A real eye opener...!
Thank you.😁
Perfect vlog to start 2023. Happy New Year, Boomer.
😁
I agree with you Boomer one does have to get out of the comfort zone of the chair and actually start on your model railroad or whatever. I am now on my third model railroad and the nearest one to being completed because of the experience I gained from my first two.
Ian
Yes. That seems to be the way it works for all of us.😁
Awesome refresher video. 👍
😁
I'm inspired. Thank You.
Cheers!
Whaou... thank you so much for sharing your tips: very clear, look almost simple (with talented hands like yours). The result is so realistic ! In addition, the first part with "philosophic" messages is very inspiring... one of the best tutorial I've ever seen... Bravo!
My pleasure 😊
Servus BD, you are an artist!!!!!!!
Thank you. I am O.K. with the term even thought I love any good model at the end of the day.😉
@@boomerdiorama Hi, definitely more than good!!!
Thank you for the new year gift!
Welcome!😁
Interesting: in 2001 I made som small diorama s and visited a show in England. There I bought a book from Richard Windrow, called terrain modelling. A chapter was about making trees with twisted wire. In that chapter he also mentioned Barry Bowen from whom he learned the technique. Barry was also there showing his method and selling booklets made from photo copies with an array off variations on this technique.
The booklet was dated 1988.
I always figured Barry to be (one of the forerunners of the wire tree method, wich back then I havend seen before..
It's an awesome method for sure. The trees are virtually "bullet" proof.
Dear Boomer, lately I’ve been twisting around with the abundance of twist straps for garbage bags, I’ve ‘hoarded’ for so many years. Added to a 1mm2 wire, those small cores make awesome little branches. Switching to matte medium as a ‘bark base’ definitely makes a whole lot of a difference. Still looking for an alternative to aluminum-oxide though. Anyhow, the wire base for tree making is a great way to expand any kind of tree making technique. And, indeed, one shouldn’t underestimate the meditative aspect of tree making. Kind of tree-hugging on scale. The options are endless. Just let ‘m grow.
Those tips sound great. Thanks for sharing them!😁
Outstanding! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure!
Boomer,2022 was a fun ride with ya truly. Happy New Years. Thanks for showing us how to do it in 23🚂🇨🇦🙋
Sure thing! 2023 is back on track. ;-)
People at my Hobby Shop when I hoard Supertree boxes - Why Model Scale Trees - Me: "Are you content with Pre-War Lionel as Scale Locomotive models?"
Scale means different things to different people. It's rather subjective as well. I think pre-war Lionel is fine if that is what excites you. ;-)
@@boomerdiorama
I indulge as well, but I will always contend it as a stretch to refer to them as models. Whos to say that we can’t enjoy our toys though.
Thank You, and Happy New Year! 🥂
You are welcome!
Thanks for posting this! This gave me so many great ideas for my area of the world.
Glad to hear it. Thanks for sharing and have fun!😁
Happy new year ! Learning, trying, mess up....in the end have fun doing it . Cheers
I still mess up all the time. Just show the good ones . . . lol. ;-)
Great video, I’m going to go back and start rewatch the past videos, happy new year….
😁
Nice video, thanks for doing
Sure thing!
Starting the New Year right, great advice, Boomer!
Happy new year Ralph!
THANK YOU Boomer, happy new year!
Happy new year to you as well!
Your techniques and words of inspiration are some of the best that I’ve seen and heard in my 70 + years and I thank you for them. I only wish you had or I find them 65 years ago, LOL Happy New Year’s & Cheers 🍻 Ron
Never to late to reset and press in.😁
Your tree making videos are among the best out there, my go-to for a refresher course, I'm looking forward to building a couple of feature trees this year. All the best Boomer for 2023.
Have fun with it. Trees will take you down a path to Nirvana . . . lol.
I have been working on trees for about a year now, still have a lot to learn, so this video was extremely helpful. The oxide sand is a great idea, I am going to give that a try.
Glad it was helpful!
I remember in an early tree tutorial you mentioned the editing and video process was hurting the creative flow. Got worried you'd burn out on the RUclips thing, but glad you've stuck with it! Your videos are top notch. Great editing, fantastic shots, and still great commentary.
Burn out happens when you are forced to express someone else's vision coupled to poor monetary compensation. Cheers ~ Boomer. ;-)
Amazing trees Boomer!
Thank You. The good ones are but the fails go to the background ;-)
Excellent production. Thanks for reviewing tree construction.
Hey! You bet John. The next episode commences the next chapter. Stay tuned.
A happy new year Boomer and no doubt more fabulous tips and modelling for us lesser mortals 😎👌 fred
Happy new year to you as well Fred!
Thanks
You are awesome! Thank you Peter! Cheers ~ Boomer.😁
@@boomerdiorama Very happy to keep supporting the channel Boomer
Hi again Boomer
Thanks for the inspiration as always. Can’t remember if I told you that you’re the reason I finally took the plunge and bought an airbrush. Loving it. Had a bit of a classic “paint too thick” disaster the other night BUT scraped off my work, repainted my base and tried again.
Anyway quick question here - wondering why the white paint over the matte medium/aluminum oxide branches? Why not go straight to your black/brown or greyish paint?
You can go straight to black or brown if you want. I like to undercoat the larger trees with white. It makes the colors pop more. Do whatever you feel comfortable with. 😁
Happy New Year Boomer
Happy new year!
Happy new year boomer
Same to you!👍
Boomer. Raw Talent. Mad Skills !!!
Having fun and I feel super creative, out of the gate, this year. ;-)
I was not expecting such a wonderful gift on New Year's Day, so thanks tons for that.
What is the tool that you are using to add bark texture to the Golden Fibre Paste at 0:55?
Happy New Year to all, especially our gracious and generous Host. May it be infinitely better than the last three.
I've wondered myself, for months, what that mini-yard rake is. I can't find one either.
Everyone wants that tool. You can get it from OPUS Art Supply. They come in "mini" sculpting tool packs. It is called a sculpting rake.
@@boomerdiorama Thanks.
I may have missed it - I'm at "work" and have a few distractions - but did not see it on the Opus website and couldn't find one anywhere else (although I did not look through ALL of the Etsy pages).
I did find a couple of make-your-own videos, though:
SKS Props - How to Make Your Own Custom Clay Sculpting Tools Easy DIY Tutorial
ruclips.net/video/WA5puKP_ubw/видео.html
Brick In The Yard Mold Supply - Sculpting Tutorial Make your Own Sculpting Tools
ruclips.net/video/eBgvC1cIt-E/видео.html.
I'll try that. I have some wire and tubing, and maybe even the right sized tubing.
Edit:
I found Pengxiaomei 2pcs Clay Needle Tools, Feather Wire Texture Tool for Clay Pottery Sculpting Texturing Modeling Tools on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com. The price on Amazon.ca is horrific, even for a hobby item. The Amazon.com price is only US$6.29 for a pair, but that quadruples with the conversion to CAD and delivery to Canada. Self-made may not be as pretty, but one can stick something in the other end of the tube as well.
well, you have given us something else to practice, ah but trees can really add to realism on a layout. Thanks for sharing. I model in N scale so what gauge wire would you use? How you and yours had a Happy New Year.
I would use 26 and 28 guage wire for N Scale. In some cases I will use 24 guage and just flock 12mm static grass directly onto the rod (several times) and then cut them to length when dry and shape.
Boomer in the beginning of this video?
You are sculpting the tree trunk using a small metal rake?
New to me!
May I ask where you got this unique tool?
Yes this video is very inspirational. Thank you.
Best Regards
Found it on Amazon
Sculpting Rake
The "sculpting rake" can be acquired from art supply stores. Try Craft stores as well. I picked mine up at Opus Art Supply. They usually come in a small package of other assorted sculpting tools. Fairly cheap as well.
Thank you!
That seems easier than latex that I use.
It is much easier and faster as well.😁
great one, thanks for sharing! Why do you paint your trees white at first?
Great question. I do it for several reason. 1. It seals the armature for better adhesion when I flock the first 12mm static grass. 2. It is always a good idea to primer the tree to take final paint colors before the finishing flocking.
Great idea on the flesh color. Do you only use “airbrush” paint in your airbrush or can you dilute regular acrylic paint with water and use it in your airbrush? (Dang airbrush paint is expensive!)
The primary point of an airbrush is to save paint. I use Tamiya and dilute it with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) by 80% to save paint. Covers awesome. You can use craft acrylic paint and water if you want. Good luck with it - can be done but I don't bother because it doesn't hold it's color like good quality paint does and clogs the airbrush. I don't use Craft paint at all in my airbrush.
@@boomerdiorama Good to know, I’ve ordered my first airbrush and I’m trying to learn as much as I can. I really appreciate your input.
Happy New Year Boomer! I've wanting to ask this for a while but kept forgetting. Do you have some kind of ventilation in the layout area or is it not necessary for what you are using your airbrush for?
I have two large windows I open with a good fan to move the air in and out of the room. I use mostly water and IPA so there is no real toxicity factor to deal with. Since I use very little pigment because Tamiya is so vibrant, there is very little if any overspray to be concerned about. I also lay damp absorbent rags over my bench near the window in the direction I spray as well. Furthermore, I get in real close so the paint goes on the model and not into open space as well. I only use a spray booth or paint outside if I shoot enamels, which is rare. I clean my airbrush into rags bunched up on the bench with lots of IPA, which evaporates quickly anyway. Cheers.
@@boomerdiorama I appreciate the explanation. I've recently purchased my first airbrush and am anxious to begin using it. I want to make sure all bases are covered before I jump in.
@@luvindemtrains Make sure you thin the paint lots (more than you do and then some). The trick is to build up coverage in multiple layers - not one pass. And practice on carboard or paper all the time before the model and you will grow fast. 😁
@@boomerdiorama yes sir!
If you use sawdust on the wire armature is it as flexible as the iron oxide?
I depends how fine the sawdust is. Super fine holds better and flexes better. On the other hand, Oxide is fantastic for toughness and leaves a smoother finish but also a nice texture as well. The Oxide with Matte medium, when based out in pale white or beige looks awesome with an Umber wash over it.
@@boomerdiorama thanks! I'm testing out some fine sawdust since that's what I have on hand. If, for some reason it doesn't work, I'll order some oxide!
Do you dilute your Matt medium with water?
Yes. 50/50 for starters. But then there are times where I don't thin it as well depending on application, etc. You get a feel for it after awhile when using it.
Do you think this technique would work with Cypress trees?
Sure . . . why not? Find a photo and twist up an armature and see how it goes.
Where do you find the model medium?
Art Supply Stores under "Golden" acrylic gel products.
Sorry, my hearing isn't so good. What kind of sand?
Aluminum Oxide. Any fine sand or sawdust will work equally well.
@@boomerdiorama Thanks!
Boomer.. question? How do you attach your trees to the layout.. to be both secure but removable.. I watched the one vid with the 3 sisters trees so understand that but curious about the others same question for when you had glover road.. I saw you inserting the trees but that was it..?
Three sisters was an exception that I migrated from Glover Road. Glover Road had no foam substrate because it was basically built on a door skin, with foam chunks glued in under the layout - after the fact.
I usually use a substrate from foam over plywood. I plan ahead where trees will go approximately and then plunge them into foam so I can easily remove them. Sometimes you have to drill holes if plywood is underneath. It's a good idea to have them removeable because they are the greatest investment on your layout next to trains. Furthermore, you can tweak the composition of the tree groups as well. Cheers.
Thanks for the reply on this one.. right now Im cork over plywood base similar to your Glover road… I figured I would drill but want them removable for sure… lol my issue is I keep rearranging my trees for the best look but will finalize soon… see if drilling and placement will be secure enough.. you may have given me another idea too with foam inserts 🤔 👍
@@thjtr-qx3ro I move trees dozens of times as well when I compose the scene. It's normal. I usually pug the holes with CelluClay later when I don't use them.
Boomer go check out HO Powered Train RUclips channel. You’re on one end of the spectrum and he’s on the other end. But he’s doing it, he’s doing it his way. He’s also hilarious and has a very different twist in modeling. 😂
O.K. Thanks for the heads up. Cheers!