How to Make Static Grass Look Ultra Realistic for Dioramas and Model Railway

How to apply static grass for miniature dioramas, scale models, model railroad layouts and scenery, wargaming terrain, action figure displays, and dollhouses. Make realistic scenery bases using real dirt and static grass.
Join my PATREON to support my work, and enjoy EXCLUSIVE content that you can use to help create your own projects:
/ smolworldworkshop
Enjoying my content? Want to see more videos like these? Then please Like and SUBSCRIBE to my Channel and tap the Bell Icon to get notified each time I post a New Video!
In this video, I show you the basics of using static grass.
I show you how to make realistic scenery bases using real dirt and sand, and static grass. You'll learn how to mix your own dirt paste that you can apply as an underlayer for your diorama base or model railway scenery.
Then, I show you how to apply Static Grass using Woodland Scenic's Static King Grass Applicator.
One of my favorite methods to making the grass look super realistic is by painting it with highly diluted acrylic paint using the colors flat earth, and buff.
Check out these channels referenced in this video:
/ @nightshiftscalemodels
/ @boomerdioramas
Materials and Tools:
Homemade Dirt Paste - dirt, playground sand, plaster of paris, matte mod podge, water
Woodland Scenics Static Grass - Medium Green and Light Green Static Grasses (2mm static grass, 4mm static grass, 7mm static grass)
Woodland Scenics Static King Grass Applicator
Tamiya Acrylic Paints - Buff, Flat Earth, X-20A Thinner
Airbrush - GSI Creos PS-771 (any airbrush should work fine) Don't have an airbrush? Apply your highly diluted paint mixture thinned with Isopropyl alcohol with a paint brush as a wash over your static grass.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:12 Materials For Dirt Paste
0:54 Applying Dirt to Diorama Base
1:30 Adding Static Grass to Diorama Base with Static Grass Applicator
3:05 Painting Static Grass
4:23 Final Result
4:33 Patreon
4:53 Blooper
Music:
Song: Cruise
Music by: CreatorMix.com
Song: Full Throttle
Music by: CreatorMix.com
Song: Moving On
Music by: CreatorMix.com

[@christopherdwane2844]

If you''re having trouble finding suitable dirt in your area, sanded grout mixed with PVA / Elmer's glue and water does a very similar jo - Home Depot even sell sanded grout that comes in beige/ tan colors, meaning you don't need to recolor it (although you can stain it with inks)

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

That's helpful!

[@smolworldworkshop]

That’s some great advice thanks for sharing!

[@northernrails4462]

I personally would use a layering spray to build up your layers!

[@dartmart9263]

Stunning results, specially with the dirt texture. Thanks for posting this.

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you, I’m glad you liked it!!

[@williamcox6043]

Great use of the airbrush to fine tune your colors - very effective! 🙂

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you so much!!!

[@pathagge2719]

Great tutorial! I don't have a lot of experience working with static grass, but your video provides some great instruction and gives me the confidence and motivation to try another project soon.

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you and good luck with your project!!

[@smallrails6831]

Great how to, loved it. Hi from NZ

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you, I’m glad you liked the video!!

[@nickshobbycorner]

Really great tutorial, well shown and well explained.

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you so much!!!

[@LongLostFriendStudio]

Hey! Great looking dirt recipe. We're gonna try it. Subscribed!

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you!! Hope this method works well for you, and thanks for subscribing :)

[@miketiller6046]

excellent

[@michaelcharles4596]

Thanks so much, this is very helpful.

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you, glad this helps!!

[@WillyWanker2023]

Tbh that dirt mixture looks appetizing to me lmao. Like some kinda brownie/ chocolate cookie/oreo batter, yummy

[@smolworldworkshop]

Haha yeah it does but I promise it tastes no bueno. Thanks for watching!

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

Thanks for all the tips, I don't have an airbrush but am sure I can improvise.

[@smolworldworkshop]

Of course, glad they are helpful! I’ve heard thinning your paint with a lot of water and isopropyl alcohol, and misting it with a fine spray bottle works well in place of an airbrush! Thanks for watching!

[@PS-jr1yq]

Awesome to see you give Boomer credit..He truly is the best modeler in the world..Its unbelievable just how good he is..

[@smolworldworkshop]

Yeah I definitely agree, I’ve learned so many useful techniques from him!

[@lawbudget]

waw its cool bro!! thankyou for ur video!

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you!! I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

[@dhamongrimwulfe5401]

Awesome! Want to do something like this for a gundam I’m working on. Thanks for the guide.

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you and good luck with your project!!

[@DidacBN]

Very efficient result! Congratulations! May I have a suggestion, I would use smaller grass so to be in scale with the pebbles. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you for the advice!!

[@jennfierkrueger8302]

Could you do a video on trees? As in dead or alive

[@smolworldworkshop]

Not sure when I’ll get to it, but hopefully sometime in the near future!

[@motanuincaltat2360]

If you make a valley through which water flows, you can put grass on the edge, on the bottom of the valley, etc

[@justmylife94]

Last question. For the air brushing you use just regular paint thinner with the Acrylic? Im thinking id like to jazz up my grass as well.

[@smolworldworkshop]

Hi there! I believe I thinned these tamiya acrylics using straight isopropyl alcohol. That’s awesome, good luck with your projects!

[@kickassmailorder9095]

Great video! Defiantly going to try out airbrushing the grass!! Ever try using AK Enamel washes/filters through the airbrush for that?

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you!! And that’s a good idea, I’ve only applied the washes by hand, but I think they’d probably work well as a filter now that you mention it!

[@dianntrotman4934]

Did you dry your dirt first, or just use it right out of the ground? This is an amazing video, thank you! Can't wait to try it!

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thanks for watching!! I just used the dirt as it was, but I’ve also been using dirt from the same spot for years! If your worried about mold/bacteria it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to dry it out. Hope this helps!

[@tipi8340]

1. Hello, how long should I wait before applying 1st glue & grass and then 2nd glue and another grass? 2. How soon should I shake off the excess grass? 3. Do you apply any finish spray varnish to protect the grass from damage?

[@smolworldworkshop]

Hello! I applied the glue and grass layers immediately after one another. I would shake off grass about a minute after applying it. I don’t apply a sealer to my grass Thank you I hope this helps!

[@justmylife94]

I know it wasn't in this video but would i use the grass to mimic moss if i wanted to do moss? I cant find anything online about it other than using real moss.

[@smolworldworkshop]

Hi there! I use woodland scenic burnt grass fine turf that I paint with acrylics to get the right color. Check out my most recent medieval tavern diorama video. I apply tons of moss to the roof, and the forest ground cover on the base of the model. Hope this helps!

[@stevenwilen]

I got the mod podge but do I need the plaster for the full effect? Tbh i don’t even know what it is. it looks like baking powder

[@smolworldworkshop]

You don’t need the plaster but it makes the paste stronger. Plaster is used for coating walls, ceilings, etc.

[@justmylife94]

Super cool. Do craft stores sell dirt?

[@smolworldworkshop]

I think some hobby shops may sell some form of sand, and woodland scenics sells a fine turf material called soil. You could also try out some top soil from the hardware store. Thanks for watching!

[@briancrispin8052]

? When you thin the paint for grass spraying do you use Tamiya thinner or are you using plain water?

[@smolworldworkshop]

I believe I was using 91% isopropyl alcohol. I would think anything over 70% would work!

[@briancrispin8052]

@@smolworldworkshop thank you for the reply. As an old guy getting back into the hobby your videos have been invaluable. 👍

[@smolworldworkshop]

@@briancrispin8052 glad to hear the videos are helpful, good luck with your projects!

[@balazstoth3734]

Hello, i just tried your ground mixture, i have to say, it looks amazing, but there's a slight problem. My ground started cracking as it started drying, how can i stop it from happening?

[@smolworldworkshop]

Hi there!! So glad to hear you’re trying out making your own ground mixture!!! I’m not too sure why it’s cracking, but my guess to fix it would maybe to be to apply it thinner, and or maybe add more mod podge/glue to the mixture. I hope this helps!!!

[@balazstoth3734]

@@smolworldworkshop thank you for the incredibly fast reply! I will probably try that next time. I'll see how my main diorama turns out tomorrow. I was a bit hesitant on the glue cuz it was expensive.

[@smolworldworkshop]

@@balazstoth3734 of course!! Wishing you good luck with your project!!

[@clorox1676]

@@balazstoth3734 Mod Podge is a PVA based glue, like school glue or elmer's glue or PVA based glues used in woodwork. Ordinary PVA glues are very unexpensive. You can use any of those mixed with water to get the consistency you want. Acrylic finish can be added to make it mate or glossy. There are recipes on KZbin if you don't want to experiment yourself. You can give it a try to see if it works for you, it's certainly way cheaper than mod podge.

[@chrisrobinson196]

Man that looks great. So is the dirt just dirt out of the garden or are you buying something from a garden centre?

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you so much!! And I just took the dirt out of my front yard

[@chrisrobinson196]

@@smolworldworkshop Guess I'm going to have to explain some potholes... and pick out worms.

[@indria6162]

can i do it without mod podge? or are there other alternatives besides mod podge? It's a great video btw❤

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you! And yea you can use ordinary white glue like Elmer’s, or wood glue too!

[@mrshaki8592]

Is matte mod podge important bcz I dont have it

[@smolworldworkshop]

You could probably get away with using normal white glue, but there’s a possibility it might look a bit glossy if some dry glue shows through

[@ronaldvandorland5784]

The links to the other chanels don't work.

[@smolworldworkshop]

Fixed it! Thank you for letting me know

[@justmylife94]

Plaster necessary? I just don't feel like buying something if I don't need

[@smolworldworkshop]

The plaster can help add more strength and volume to your paste, but it’s not 100% necessary. Hope this helps!

[@brianmoretti6480]

Why did you hold the applicator on an angle not straight level !! ?

[@user-gf3mx1hz3h]

[@crabtreyanimations7148]

I accidentally dropped my airbrush needle and it pricked my foot

[@smolworldworkshop]

Ouch, hopefully that doesn’t happen again

[@TheSwords99]

I use real grass and dirt. Lol

[@MVeminor7]

Hey Smol, handy video, I'm doing some static work now and this was very helpful. Thanks buddy!!

[@smolworldworkshop]

Thank you, I’m glad this is helpful!! Hope you have fun with your project!