The Static Grass Revolution | Boomer Diorama ~ # 210

Static Grass has been the single most revolutionary product to be introduced to the model railroad hobby in the last few decades. It can literally transform normal terrain to astounding levels of realism.
KZbin Audio Library Music
DISCLAIMER: I pay for all the products and materials I use in this video content, unless otherwise stated. I do not receive any affiliate sponsorship, fees, funds, support, or gifts from company products, and/or any other companies, (unless otherwise stated). I only endorse products for the benefit of the community and my own personal use, apart from indicated sponsors.

[@StationaryDingleberry]

I think I partly realized why I love this channel: it fills the void of my now defunct hobby shops that had fantastic owners who shared their deep knowledge and skills... and inspired.

[@boomerdiorama]

You raise an interesting point and it's a valid observation. Most do not seem to care really other than just selling stuff to collectors. ;-)

[@laspiedrasrailroad]

I had several LHS mentors and a great club mentor, now Boomer. @@boomerdiorama

[@jonnybeck6723]

...as the 'teeny weenies' scatter in every direction screaming "Run for your lives, it's the monster (!!!)"

[@boomerdiorama]

😉Can you imagine having to shrink yourself down and then live on your layout for a week? The question would be - how authentic would it feel. ;-)

[@jonnybeck6723]

@@boomerdioramaI wuz picturin' the neighborhood kids going down that footpath to f*ck around at the "Could it be so much fun" drainage pipe and ditch...

[@danielfantino1714]

​​​@@boomerdiorama rather frightening being chased by spiders and no place to hide with these false empty buildings doors that won´t open, same for locos and passenger cars with old molded grab irons...can´t even swim in the lake or river and useless canoë stuck to resin and all that freaking fun IF modeler left some lights in train room. Good points, no cold snow nor rain pour...😂😂?

[@boomerdiorama]

This is why I put functioning hinges and sometimes doors on my buildings, etc. . . . lol . . . lol . . . 😉@@danielfantino1714

[@mikeflack555]

Always so fulfilling. We leave more confident and inspired to achieve. You've created a legacy among people you'll mostly never meet that admire you so much. Thank you.

[@boomerdiorama]

Wow, thank you!

[@cameronwheatley7792]

I just want to say a big thankyou to you for everything you've taught us over the year and the massive effort you put it to help us all. As Christmas gets closer day by day and hopefully we all have a little down time over the holiday period im looking forward to just being able to sit down in front of the layout and do what you do everyday, just enjoy it for what it is, might even spill some paint just for fun and see where it goes from there. What you taught me is priceless industry knowledge, it's a lifetime of hard work and dedication, i really just wanted to let you know it is very very much appreciated. Wishing you and your family a wonderful and safe Christmas and thanks again for being the person you are.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you for taking the time to share that Cameron. Have a nice time modeling and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well. Cheers ~ Boomer. 😁

[@sammym.belfastchild]

Thanks Boomer , like you have mentioned , modeling is telling a story ... modeling what we see and like , we create little picture stories with our inspiration from life , pictures , people, magazines etc .. Cheers , thanks for all your efforts teaching all of Us , those you inspire.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you!

[@thomasmcnay4564]

Thanks Boomer, for your easy, laid back manner and professional approach to this art form. I always come away encouraged, believing that I can possibly even do too! Thanks! And I really like your “bumper” music!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you kindly!

[@ThomasKlimoski]

Hi Boomer, Thanks for attributing the quote about static grass to me, but I am sure I am not the first person that mentioned how much static grass has impacted and improved the hobby. It is difficult to get a realistic scenery look without using static grass or similar products. You have taken the application of static grass to the next level with your tips and techniques.-Tom

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for sharing Tom. I will admit, I am somewhat addicted to static grass. ;-)

[@BC-fy1wn]

Merry Christmas to you and your family,and all you rail artists out theree! Doc BC

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes indeed. Thank you!

[@joejoebus8814]

That is some awesome scenery work. Especially the grass. Model railroad building is a work of art especially scenery. You can't paint a great picture in a day unless you are Bob Ross, LOL. Same with creating scenery. Thanks for the great video. Next stop Willoughby.

[@boomerdiorama]

😁😉

[@paulsreef27]

I love the intro, Blue Danube! Stanley Kubrick used classical music in 2001, and A Clockwork Orange because it will never go out of style. Great modelling too!

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes indeed. Classical music is timeless as most great art is. Cheers.👍😁

[@markwilson8002]

Thank you for demonstration & advice, i need to remember modelling is not a sprint it's a marathon.

[@boomerdiorama]

It certainly is a marathon and the frequent rewards along the way are tremendous. ;-)

[@346UNCLEBOB]

Always a joy! Thanks so much for posting your videos. LOVE the channel!

[@boomerdiorama]

You are welcome!

[@FarlandHowe]

That is the reaction, ‘oh but that would take too much time.’ I have had a number of really enjoyable static grass stabbing sessions since learning about the practice from you. The results blow me away. It is magic. Thanks, Rob

[@boomerdiorama]

Whenever I get the impulse to plant grass I just make a decision and plug in for an hour. You end up with an hours worth of field grass. ;-)

[@mikerubynfs]

I don't known why everything has to be done fast (I don't just mean the hobby), I enjoy an hour or two of laying grass, weathering cars, even ballasting and I really like track laying. Isn't it supposed to about the journey and well as the end result? One of the great things about this hobby is the satisfaction of doing it not just buying and sticking on the layout, take your time and enjoy the journey.

[@FarlandHowe]

@@mikerubynfsThat is the way I see it too. It is the fast food instant gratification people have come to expect. Nothing really amazing ever came out of me doing it fast and easy. Thanks

[@johnschutt9187]

As always, excellent work. Thanks for taking us along so that we can learn from your profound experience.

[@boomerdiorama]

My pleasure!

[@shaunhuckstepp7531]

Hi Boomer I thought that was a cameo appearance of THING from the Adam's Family LOL. The static Grass applicator isn't the be all and and end all, Using your pinch technique works very well and it can be very therapeutic. So it takes time do this it shows that you take pride in the work you're creating a diorama not just a train set, it's all about the journey and creating something that is really pleasing to the eye . When I look at these dioramas I see something new every time , now that's art imitating life a mark of a good modeler taking his time. Thanks Boomer

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. It is pleasing to just look at in the morning as well for sure. 😁

[@forbeshutton5487]

One day Dusty will decide that it's kitty litter between tracks and leave a septic sausage on the layout.

[@boomerdiorama]

No way . . . never. She never goes up there without my permission. 😁

[@ollieahokas9179]

I really like the scene you created there, those background buildings makes it pop untill you see the texture on the foreground, it looks so real! Thanks for taking your time to make these videos and sharing your craft and secrets on your incredible layout! In my mind it does not look compressed as most f the layouts I have seen still on the rather modest space you have created a lot of different scenes and moods that still looks real and credible! Cheers from Sweden!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you very much!

[@Vman7757]

Thank you for sharing. Just beautiful. I can just see my self getting a little mud on my boots. LOL

[@boomerdiorama]

You and me both!

[@nickcharles5891]

Great video. Would love to see how you make your bushes.

[@boomerdiorama]

I cover everything if you are willing to scroll backwards through videos chronologically from the home page. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iabTqaedmKtgZpY

[@RailserveJohn]

Looks great Boomer. The colors pop so well... I think the grass length looks spot on - John

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you John!😁

[@fbrailroad4628]

The work you do on your layout is so inspiring, Thank you for all you do.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. You are also welcome! 😁

[@CashSly]

You never fail to inspire me to to the next level. Thanks for sharing.

[@boomerdiorama]

That is good to hear because I feel inspired as well when I hear others are as well! Cheers! 😁

[@kennedygauger4680]

Another informative and clear video. Most videos on static grass only address static grass application using a charged electrical device. You show how to tailor the application in a much more granular way, including air brushing to get varied colors and multiple layers. Thanks for the extensive time you put into your high caliber videos.

[@boomerdiorama]

You are welcome. To be honest I don't use the static grass applicator much. I mostly pinch-and-stab due to greater control. 😁

[@raykiefer5137]

I have watched this in several segments. I will try this. Manually placing the grass really makes the scene look like tracks I have seen around here in central PA.

[@boomerdiorama]

Once you get into a rhythm things move faster than you think.

[@DRCRailroard]

Thanks Boomer, this is a timely lesson for me as I have a section of my layout ready to try some static grass I've been contemplating to do. FYI: I stumbled on to the major differences between the intended purposes of artist mediums and Mod Podge. They are both water based acrylic mediums but that's where the similarities end. As you know, and is likely the reason you default to artist matte mediums, is they are specifically designed to work and blend with the acrylic paints whether applying before during or after the painting process. Artist mediums will always provide a surface to add additional paint to and will work as a glue. Mod Podge on the other hand is a glue, sealer, and finish. It's purposes is best suited to those projects not requiring additional paint layers as acrylic paints will have a real problem sticking to the surfaces. Happy rails

[@boomerdiorama]

You nailed it! Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@FHollis-gw4cc]

You can do a short video, or you can do a long one. I will make time available to watch just everything you are willing to provide. you have my word.

[@boomerdiorama]

Ok thanks!

[@laspiedrasrailroad]

You really can only use an applicator in open accessible area. The glue, pull, pinch and place works great in tight spaces and most places. Thanks for that Boomer!

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes. For sure. ;-)

[@nickogden6200]

You are right up to a point . My first applicator was of the home made tea strainer/fly swat variety and that worked OK for a number of years until I bought a bigger one . I have hardly used it , mainly because I build dioramas and it is too large to get into the nooks and crannies. I have fairly recently bought a detail applicator from a British company called WW Scenics and that is much more useful as it is very small and can get into areas that the bigger ones can’t . Whilst I haven’t tried the pull, pinch and place method I can imagine that trying to apply static grass shorter than 7mm would be rather challenging . As it happens I was using my micro applicator for a job that most people wouldn’t think about doing . I was flocking my 1/35th scale plastic sheep with 1mm white and beige flock to make them “woolly”. It worked very well and it is not a job that could be done by hand .

[@boomerdiorama]

It's good for 7mm and up. I use the Static King for smaller stuff.@@nickogden6200

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Boomer, introducing the ‘flea-comb’ into static grass modeling, absolutely awesome! On the hard drive. I’ll just keep stabbing! Cheerio

[@boomerdiorama]

That comb actually comes with the Static Grass King from Woodland Scenics.

[@vincenthuying98]

@@boomerdiorama yep, you said it. Always had a bunch of these combs for our cats Keizer and Ollie, at first they hated these combs. Only later they became more appreciative for a thorough grooming. Unfortunately they passed on to the hunting grounds in last years. Still got those combs though. Definitely got another use for them. Didn’t purchase a static grass applicator yet. Cheerio

[@dexecuter18]

Really is so transformative. To the point its almost a bit amusing how you can see such a distinct divide in the realism between layouts made before it was popular, and layouts made afterwards.

[@boomerdiorama]

Oh yeah. The trick is in the layers spread out over time as one revisits the scene. It really helps to sleep on things and to view them in a new light after we forget about them for awhile.

[@michaelimpey1407]

Boomer, great advice. I did think that a static grass applicator was it. But watching you, I now spray some Tamiya colours, I want to now mix some really typical Australian bush colours. I have done my first stab-in, and the effect is amazing, not as good as yours, but I am working on it. Thank you for the inspiration to try something new. Cheers, and stay safe, Michael

[@boomerdiorama]

You can go back and trim the grass down along the edges, etc., with scissors as well. ;-)

[@mikerubynfs]

Since watching your earlier grass videos I would now only use the static applicator on the layout for lawns. I now use it to make tufts and sheets of rough grass I can tear up and glue to the layout. I'll have to try the stabbing technique I need to plant taller grass. Thanks for all the ideas.

[@boomerdiorama]

Good plan. ;-)

[@nsmaid]

Loved the Twilight Zone episode. Too funny.

[@boomerdiorama]

Imagine if you had to live on your layout as some sort of punishment for a month . . . lol.

[@PostmoderneModelWorks]

Static grass is brilliant. I also flock grass tufts to make tiny bushes and flowering shrubs.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds awesome!

[@PostmoderneModelWorks]

@@boomerdiorama It works pretty well. I posted some pics in my community tab if you’d like to take a look.

[@painter662]

Revolution Shmevolution…😁 I miss my Lichen Trees. Bushes… and woodland scenic cast metal trees revolutionized bottle cleaner trees!😁 It is funny, I do miss those, but your way to f working with the new materials constantly has me slapping my forehead saying, why didn’t I think of that. Thanks for the advice.

[@boomerdiorama]

I still have some bags of Lichen and those metal trees you mention. In fact the first diorama I sold was with lichen and metal trees. ;-)

[@mr.e1944]

I saw you use the pinch technique before. Now it is my preferred method for static grass application. I feel like I have more control. Sometimes I mix several different colors and sizes to apply together. Looks great. You just need to experiment a little. Thanks Boomer!

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes indeed. I love this method. Great idea to mix colors as well. You can also airbrush the grass with very thin acrylics as well.

[@wilzdart]

Another great informative vlog on scenery. You have in past vlogs the Stab method using SG but I think you did a better explanation of the technic. Since all modelers dont find your channel at the same time a refresher course is welcomed. Thanks Boomer

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you!

[@ronaldvanpinxteren3644]

Great explanation. I have tried your way in the mean time several times and it works great. When you take the time for it is not difficult at all and the result is stunning.

[@boomerdiorama]

Great to hear!

[@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877]

Great vidio, 20 min. Is about my limit , always challenging working outside but what a differance in the look and videos after..Thanks for the morning coffee...

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

I have static grass on Walmington-on-Sea!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Awesome!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

My layout, here in England, is Walmington-on-Sea. It’s a small layout depicting Dad’s Army, the 1960s BBC television series.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds cool!

[@JosephMusgrove]

We have come a long way in regard to scenery products. My first HO set as a kid came with a rollout grass Matt.

[@boomerdiorama]

Some of the Heki roll-out mats with static grass are still really good in my opinion. Just need to tear them up a little. ;-)

[@stevenlitkey9354]

I do the pinch and stab method 90% of the time. Seeing as I build mostly military dioramas and vignettes, it fits the bill. I have an applicator but seldom break it out 😊😊

[@boomerdiorama]

The applicator has it's place but I can see why you apply this method to the diorama for sure, and especially in 1/35 scale.

[@MyFingerLakesRailwayLayout]

Nice looking Budd car. Rapido? The Finger Lakes Railway uses them for excursions. Another fun fact: Rod Serling had a cottage in the Finger Lakes. I'll look for that episode tonight. Good reminder on the pinch and stab technique. I need to try combing my grass, I've never done that. Take care man, and thanks for all you do - Bill.

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers Bill! 😁

[@Madonsteamrailways]

What a gorgeous tabby cat!! Mine is ginger tom King Harold.

[@boomerdiorama]

She is a "looker" for sure. 😁

[@bnrailfannz8262]

Well ain't that just so cool( grass stabbing )😊 Thankyou for the idea. Have actually yet to use my Woodland Scenics applicator.... I think I shall be using your stabbing method as well. Murray

[@boomerdiorama]

Awesome! Have fun!

[@shaunhuckstepp7531]

Hi Boomer just wanted to drop a line to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and thanks for all the videos this year

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you and you are welcome - not quite done for the year yet though . . . 😉. Cheers.

[@shaunhuckstepp7531]

You know what they say about idle hands lol .@@boomerdiorama

[@whew5]

Nice kitty

[@boomerdiorama]

She is! 😉

[@allenlandis4504]

it's all about the layers.

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes indeed, it certainly is. You can also cover all the mistakes and make revisions on the fly, while fixing imperfections as well. ;-)

[@mikedurhan9941]

Great video. Very helpful. Thank you.

[@boomerdiorama]

Awesome. Thanks Mike.😁

[@irenecraggs6123]

looks great love the music

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers!

[@Hanzo.Azmodan]

Dustry is so careful where he/she treads!

[@boomerdiorama]

Dusty grew up as a kitten on Glover Road when she was six weeks old. She loved being up there when I worked on (non-toxic) subjects, etc. She knows the rules. If she breaks them, she loses the access. ;-) 😉

[@seanspennywisemiserrr]

Thanks for all you do to make the modeling community a better place for inspiration, education, and acceptance of novice to seasoned modelers. One question I have Boomer, I followed the diner build from start to finish, and I wonder where it is and where it fits into the layout? Take care. Sean.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you for that. The Diner is off the layout right now until I find a suitable place for it. No skill we practice is wasted. Sometimes as modelers we like to think our objectives are deliberate and certain, but when you model, just because you love to model, not everything fits even though in the bigger picture things feel related. Cheers and thanks for taking the time to ask and share your thoughts. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@davidwilliams1060]

Thanks. Hopefully Dusty won’t need to know but that static grass comb looks suspiciously like a cat flea comb. Never considered the importance of static grass before but it does outperform the dyed sawdust of the 50s!

[@boomerdiorama]

It does!

[@FrankKennyCPRXModelRailroad]

Looks great!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you.😁

[@ainsleyperry5192]

Boomer, Everytime I come back there's alway's something to fire up the old modelling juices again, thank you. At the weekend I've just seen almost the exact same scene you have modelled here. Here's what I saw starting with the road overbridge. Then the "Slum Landlord" building but "L" shape with the blue building's back wall backing right up to the bridge. An open yard in front of the building leads to a road crash barrier then the railway line. Keep going left a small patch of unkept ground then a high chain link fence surrounding a large flat open area. This area is used by a large trucking company to service their truck fleet. All sorts of junk and different ground surfaces there. Then another small area of unkept ground with 2 large trees. Then next is the backwall of a very large warehouse with just a single fire exit door. All the drama of this building is up on the roof. With all different shaped aircon (?) unit's along the roof. A single railway line passes right in front of all this with a point at the road overbridge end so 2 tracks go under the bridge. Cheers, Chris Perry.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds like a great narrative there. ;-)

[@bens3641]

Nice video, thanks for sharing. Your techniques yield results that are on another level! I hope to one day try them myself.

[@boomerdiorama]

Please do!

[@PolLight3000]

It's nice to see that you can put on static grass for certain purposes without an electric applicator. I've been wondering myself whether it's possible to press tufts of grass into the "glue" only with my fingers.😏 Well, obviously this works well.😃 Unfortunately I don't own a grass applicator, it's too expensive and not worth it for my few, very small dioramas... Very nice choice of music, by the way. And what a coincidence, I live about 17 km away from where the Danube beginns. During my school days, I passed the confluence of the two source rivers almost every day for nine years; a road bridge crosses the first few meters of the very young Danube...😉 I wish you and Dusty all the best and have a great Sunday. Cheers from southwest Germany - Ralf🍀👋🏻

[@boomerdiorama]

Personally, I think the grass applicator is over-rated and could live without it. I use it sometimes to justify owning it. Most of the grass, except for patchy fields is done with this "pinch-and-stab" method. I find I have more control and it is more satisfying as well when you plug an hour in and then analyze things. Cheers!

[@PolLight3000]

That's comforting to me, because over here you can't seem to be a "real model landscape builder" without a big powerfull electric static grass applicator (the bigger the better!)...

[@boomerdiorama]

The good old fashion way works fine. More control that way.@@PolLight3000

[@PolLight3000]

@@boomerdiorama So far I've just sprinkled grass with my fingers in several layers or used the small bottle from Noch. But with this grass spray bottle (I personally have been using it since 1986) the grass spreads so wildly that I have to vacuum well from a meter away... 😵‍💫😅 Cheers and have a great time.🍀

[@sernajrlouis]

Beautiful

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

My collection of locomotives consists of Southern Railway steam locomotives, three of which have been fitted with DCC Sound equipment.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds awesome! I bet they look good too!

[@greatnorthernrailwaytother4711]

I’ll have to get some matte medium. 😊

[@boomerdiorama]

Good to have a bottle on the bench. ;-)

[@billbarnes8192]

I don’t like cats but I like yours

[@boomerdiorama]

I love dogs too but Dusty is awesome. 😁

[@garystrutt2078]

Everyone makes static grass look but it must be a knack that I don't have because I suck at it. Doesn't matter whether I use the fancy applicator or the method you just showed it looks like crap but I'll keep trying.

[@boomerdiorama]

Just keep at it and things will improve. The learning curve is different for everyone. If I gave up for every fail I commit (which I still often do) I would get nowhere. Just let go and have fun with it. ;-)

[@chrisbell52310]

Liked subscriber for this video I am #300!

[@boomerdiorama]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you!

[@troyb1733]

You are truly an awesome professer. I wish you taught at the school of shelf builders, I would take every class. Will you tell me which book you use to guide for trees? I have seen a mini book and a big one, I would like to search for both. Thank you.

[@boomerdiorama]

The Guide To Trees Of Canada And North America - ISBN# 0 88665 322 3

[@jesselomas8626]

Excellent -as always... Does Dusty ever try to sharpen claws on the layout?? Is that a Rapido, or Proto, RDC??

[@boomerdiorama]

No. She knows better. I have a scratch pad down below. However, she did bite one of the lamps to leave her signature on the Barge Slip though. I left it there out of respect to her - and she knows it. Dusty is very special indeed. She treads lightly and knows the consequences if she doesn't. 😉 The RDC is by Rapido. 😉

[@bobdutka1176]

Great vid Boomer. Boomer you did a video awhile ago where you made mention of types of adhesives and longevity of layouts because of certain adhesives. Do you recall the # of that vid? I can't seem to find it. Thankyou in advance. Hooked on your expertise.👍🏻😀

[@boomerdiorama]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYPInaareZp4pac

[@dan8402]

The layout grows literally! I did have a question. I know for trees it is less important since we are painting those, but for grass on the layout is color really important? I know you can go back and paint it later with washes. I found from straw colored on sale in various lengths. It is that neutral color so I figured I could get it green easily enough.

[@boomerdiorama]

You can paint anything really. Trees, grass, dirt , , , you name it. Stock colors are stock colors. Custom shades and colors are up to the individual. 😁

[@dan8402]

@@boomerdiorama I guess I was more concerned about coverage. I am not sure how well static grass takes pigment. I am bookmarking a lot of these videos for technique reference.

[@boomerdiorama]

Static grass takes pigment fine if you have an airbrush. I have been painting static grass for twenty years. You can paint virtually anything with an airbrush.@@dan8402

[@dan8402]

@@boomerdiorama excellent!

[@dancanoe]

Great video. Thanks. Do you have a pattern with static grass length application? Longer to shorter or something like that?

[@boomerdiorama]

Not really. After some practice you just go by feel. I study lots of photos on how grass grows, etc. Thin by the tracks and thicker further out - or whatever you want. It's all mendable anyway if you sleep on it some and plug away randomly.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

What was the music? Gorgeous!!

[@rafaelvoncina6036]

"The Blue Danube" is the common English title of "An der schönen blauen Donau", Op. 314 (German for "By the Beautiful Blue Danube"), a waltz by the Austrian composer Johann Strauss II, composed in 1866.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you!

[@garywilkening3764]

How do I share with you photos of my own modeling efforts? I looked for a paetreon channel.

[@boomerdiorama]

I don't do Patreon. Right now I only have time for the one platform. If you have a Google account (which you probably do) you can upload to your own KZbin channel which is free, then post a link.

[@alweinhofer5453]

The Twilight Zone is on Amazon Video.

[@boomerdiorama]

Cool!