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Is scatter still relevant?


TurboSnail

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Does anyone still use scatter? At least for representing grass, as I still use it for mud areas and am happy with the results, but I recently added a pub garden to my layout using scatter and I'm not all that convinced by the results. I started with 3 colours mixed together and made a test piece, but it's still pretty vibrant:

 

blogentry-25124-0-80585400-1506517941_thumb.jpg

 

Toning it down with a wash of light grey helped a bit:

 

blogentry-25124-0-24142500-1506518068_thumb.jpg

 

Once laid using PVA, it sticks pretty well so that's good at least. It was then given another wash of light grey, shown here partway through application.

 

blogentry-25124-0-86310300-1506518101_thumb.jpg

 

Once dry, it looks like this:

 

blogentry-25124-0-64156700-1506518122_thumb.jpg

 

Not exactly a perfect match for the grass next to it...

 

I'm actually not too bothered by this, as the layout is meant to be a learning platform for me - if I was trying to make something for exhibition or a club layout, it would get redone. I still may revisit it some time down the line, but for now, I want to get the rest of the scenery done so I have an overall picture rather than worry about each little bit.

 

But going back to the original thought, does scatter really cut it as grass any more? The rest of the grass on my layout is hanging basket liner, which while not perfect, stands up a lot better (metaphorically and literally). Scatter doesn't even have the excuse of being the cheap option any more, since static grass is not that much more expensive unless you're modelling vast expanses of it. I think I'll have to upgrade my methods for the next layout, although fortunately for my wallet that looks like being a long way off.

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Guest Midland Mole

Posted

It depends very heavily on what brand you are using. For example Woodland Scenics scatter does not look garish at all, and can create a very convincing effect when used.

When making dioramas and layouts at work, we use both scatter material and static grass to create a realistic look. It is just a matter of finding the right colours. :)

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It depends very heavily on what brand you are using. 

 

Javis in my case - very cheap! Which was the main factor for getting it... And actually is not bad once toned down, I just needed to find a better colour match as you say.

 

I'll keep the woodland scenics one in mind, as I'm planning to create a couple of small dioramas in deep photo frames (so you get a space of about 100x100x20 mm) to try out a few different techniques so it is worth another try.

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Guest Midland Mole

Posted

Definitely have a look at Woodland Scenics. It's very good stuff (we sell loads of it compared to Javis) and blends together very nicely to create some excellent effects. :)

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Grass mat for large areas, especially Gaugemasters GM140, it has a sticky back, sticks to hills and uneven areas just with a dampening down, (it's stuck to PVA backing) can also be torn to random shapes, and as it is like static grass it is easy to blend it in with the same, around £8 for a sheet measuring 44 x 29cm

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