Simulating desert sand in 285th scale - advice please

[AllenRockwell]

I just started working on some desert boards today. I have not decided what I'm going to use as a ground covering to simulate desert sand ... any suggestions are appreciated. Most of the model railroad stuff I have would look like giant gravel in 285th scale.

[dougeagle]

If there is a Michael's Craft Store near where you're at, then go there and in the floral section you should be able to find some 'Decor' sand. This is what I used for my 'Hafid' battleboard...pics below (sorry for the poor lighting)





Or if there is a sand pit near by go get some of that. All I did with mine was slap some watered glue onto the surface, sprinkle the sand and once dry, tilt the board to get the excess off then paint the board which ever desert colors you want. Mine took awhile as it is 6ft x 6ft...

Your board looks nice so far...can't wait to see the rest of it

[pmskaar]

I use Woodland Scenics fine Earth for my desert terrain.

I paint my base color over the Terrain Maker styrofoam, let dry, and then put on another coat of my tan color. While the paint is still wet, I sprinkle the foam on top and then let it dry.

Once dry, I make up a thinned coat of the tan paint and apply it over the foam. I do this for two reasons. The first is that the Earth color is way to dark for your typical desert color although there are many variations in texture and color you could use and not necessarily be wrong. The second is that the foam will look too uniform without the paint to break it up just a bit. Let the paint dry.

I now apply at least two more coats of the thinned paint. I allow the capillary action to allow the paint to move around without having to brush it heavily. You can apply more coats if you wish and I certainly have. It depends on when it looks right to you. You can hit cedrtain areas with paint more heavily to make that part a bit lighter which provides some subtle gradations in your coloring.

An example of my work can be found in the Show Us Your Games section of this forum on page 17, the second entry down. It shows my layout from many different angles. Now I admit, this is not the fastest method on earth but at least I am happy with the results. Yes, I did actually invent this technique many years ago but I don't remember exactly how I came up with it.

A quicker method might be to buy textured paint from one of the Home Improvement stores. It won't provide the subtle variations in color on its own. Personally, I think this would be better than using sand as both my method and this one would be less abrasive to our little tiny tanks and such.

Have a great day!

Pete - Binpicker, Out!

[dougeagle]

An example of my work can be found in the Show Us Your Games section of this forum on page 17, the second entry down. It shows my layout from many different angles. Now I admit, this is not the fastest method on earth but at least I am happy with the results. Yes, I did actually invent this technique many years ago but I don't remember exactly how I came up with it.

That is a very nice looking North African desert terrain to fight on. I'm sure you have other hex's with other forms of desert terrain...but that page is very nice indeed

[AllenRockwell]

Put some primer on the roads


Painted the roads and sidewalks


Getting ready to start planting buildings


Getting some buildings installed


Getting some buildings installed


Getting some buildings installed

[pmskaar]

Hi Doug

Thanks very much! It was a bit of work, of course, but I am happy with it.

Hi Allan

It looks like things are coming along very nicely on your layout. You have acheived some subtle variations in coloring which enhances the overall effect. That looks really great. What did you use for your palm trees if I may ask?

Pete - Binpicker, Out!

[AllenRockwell]

Hi Allan
What did you use for your palm trees if I may ask?
Pete

The palm trees are from JTT Products, they are great quality but not cheap, I paid US$16.50 for 6 trees at a Hobby Town USA store.. The ones I use are TR-1036, 2" Palm.

Just do a Goggle search for "JTT Tree" and click on "Professional Model Trees" when you get to the site.

Allen

[HKurban]

What did you use for the sidewalks? I'm thinking Woodland Scenics Concrete but I can't get that stuff to apply thick enough.

[pmskaar]

Hi Allen

Thanks for the tip on the palm trees. At $16.50 for 6 that is a bit more than would be practical for a lot of them but they do look very nice.

Pete - Binpicker, Out!

[AllenRockwell]

What did you use for the sidewalks? I'm thinking Woodland Scenics Concrete but I can't get that stuff to apply thick enough.

Polly Scale paint "Concrete" or "Aged Concrete" ... I used the Aged Concrete. The Woodland Scenics tints are great but they are just intended to tint plaster, they are not really paints.

[AllenRockwell]

Hi Allen

Thanks for the tip on the palm trees. At $16.50 for 6 that is a bit more than would be practical for a lot of them but they do look very nice.

Pete - Binpicker, Out!

Find a store that sells cake decorations ... I've heard you can giant bags of palm trees for a few bucks. They wont look like JTT's trees but you can get a million of them for the same price.

[Mk 1]

Hi Allen
Thanks for the tip on the palm trees. At $16.50 for 6 that is a bit more than would be practical for a lot of them but they do look very nice.

Find a store that sells cake decorations ... I've heard you can giant bags of palm trees for a few bucks. They wont look like JTT's trees but you can get a million of them for the same price.

The GHQ method, with bump chenille bought at the local crafts store, can produce about 200 trees for $2.45 or so.



But it is a bit more time consuming.

-Mark 1

[AllenRockwell]

Had a little fun in Photoshop putting a middle east scene in the background.

[pmskaar]

Allen, very nice work!

Mk1: I actually have some of the GHQ/Mk1 style palm trees started. I just need to take some time and finish them. One of these days I will do that. I have got a bunch of other stuff to do first.

Pete - Binpicker, Out!