Realistic Scenic Trees - Lichen & Flock Foliage Technique

[@stick124]

Happy Mel is making some happy little trees

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Jacob Sherlock Lovely quote mate ;-)

[@josephcirillo5292]

You really put a smile on my face!!!..I have worked with lichen for quite some time.....but never took it to the next level....ty mate!!!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Joseph Cirillo Happy to help bud ;-)

[@Mail2elr]

You're a flocking good tree builder Mel. Thanks and keep it up!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Cheers buddy!

[@brucewoods9377]

Only found your video tutorials recently. They are great and have shown the simplest and most effective ways to do terrain. I am building up a model train layout and am now using your techniques 🍻🍻

[@SuperTastyBeans]

Gotta respect the obvious amount of passion you have for terrain building. Cheers!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+SuperTastyBeans you gotta do what makes you happy :-)

[@LesCM19]

The difference is amazing! Didn't expect such a change.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Les Hammond The simple tips are always the best mate

[@za91848]

Fantastic video Mel. Several tips worth the patronage in this one alone. Either video would be nice but my vote is for complicated.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Ben Davis Cheers buddy, wire's on order as we speak ;-)

[@johnkelley9877]

The tree looks really good and quite realistic.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+John Kelley Cheers bud :-)

[@garfieldwithissuez]

Mel you really outdid yourself this time brother. Great video.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+garfieldwithissuez Cheers bud :-)

[@braggminiaturesAnthonyBragg]

Great news on the workshop space :) Now the fun begins ,mate

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+2009braggminiatures Anthony Bragg Oh doesn't it just mate

[@tsmithdotks]

great video Mel. I have about 15 or so half finished trees. I think I'll give this foliage technique a go.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Tony Smith Awesome sauce, crack on bud :-)

[@stevefletcher1161]

looks great . colour contrast gives it a big lift.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Steve Fletcher Cheers matey

[@Hobbyrepubliken]

Great tutorial! I really have to start with the forest scatter pieces I promised a mate to get done ages ago.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Republiken No time like the present mate

[@scottrixon5312]

Another great video.. But why did you need to use black primer on the lichen? Could you not glue the flock on?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Scott Rixon It was black because I didn't have dark brown and the prime firms the substructure as well as seals/colours it mate ;-)

[@IDICBeer]

Great job bud

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+IDICBeer Thanks mates

[@sandbergmachineandtool6226]

Excellent job! It looks incredible.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Sandberg Machine And Tool Thanks buddy

[@seorwulf1049]

I'm with you in the Like - n pronunciation - However Oxford dictionary actually confirms both forms of pronunciation to be correct!! So we're all winners!

[@elrickinslayer5821]

Nice one, Mel. I'd like to see some more intricate wire work. I never seem to be able to get the right ratio when I start to get all the way out to the ends of the smallest twigs.Cheers.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Elric Kinslayer Start long and cut short bud, I'll explain in the vid ;-)

[@eduardoparera9748]

Very realistic trees. Nice work!!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Eduardo Parera Thanks :-)

[@gypsybarrett4402]

I’m trying to make jewelry any suggestions on preserving the lichen with a clear coat of something?? Resin spray? Any info is helpful thanks!

[@billd.iniowa2263]

I like work. I could sit and watch it for hours. lol Nice to see somebody enjoying their "job". I'm in the process of fixing those trunks on my W. S. one - three inch trees so I guess tips on the upper branches would help when I get that far. Oh, and its "Li-ken" ;-)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Bill D. in Iowa Li - CH - en! I'm loving it mate, plenty more on trees to come ;-)

[@aj1finch]

+Mel, re. what we want first: I don't mind, it's all good! :) PS. I'm am REALLY loving the return to regular tutorial vids!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+AJ Finch It's good to be back in the saddle mate

[@brabopainter]

Looking very nice, going too try them.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Brabo Painter Let me know how you get on mate :-)

[@Alawatakima]

LOVE this stuff! lets get back to the tree's! I can't wait for the realistic styles you'll be doing :)

[@Alawatakima]

Oh and have you done a larger trunk tree, like a more massive centerpiece? I'd really enjoy if you could do a set on that!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Alawatakima Not in a long time but I'm sure we can add it to the list mate :-)

[@rexwithers]

Very nice! Wire options next please.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Rex Withers On the list mate

[@MWepex]

Great looking tree. How do you keep the lichen from drying out and becoming brittle?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+MWepex I've never had a problem with it and I've got lichen on pieces that are 15yrs old mate

[@MWepex]

+TheTerrainTutor Wow, maybe I'll give it another go. Thanks!

[@MrLutian]

wonderful! I'll try this sometime

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Lutian Naumowicz Hope it helps mate

[@MrLutian]

It will

[@stevew9748]

could you base coat and flock the lichen before sticking to the tree armature?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Thomas “sweeny” Atkins I guess so but I'd imagine it'd be fiddler mate

[@ta24u]

Dude I really like this, I even think I like it more when it was wrapped it, the thick trunk made it look like a banzai tree. Very nice. So for you this is zen same as those who trim banzai trees ha

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+ta24u I looked back and yeah, it did look cool wrapped, looks like a thicker trunk tutorial is on the way ;-)

[@ta24u]

+TheTerrainTutor sweet i guess I thought you didn't have enough tutorials to do ;p

[@ahmedpoter4494]

Great thing you do, very nice.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks buddy

[@juliecosgrove8608]

Hi, I've been watching a lot of your tutorials and they're so informative - thank you. I am creating an aerial ocean resin artwork at the moment and I'm hoping to incorporate lichen in my piece to represent some bushes. I can't find much information on the internet about lichen and what I have found is so contradictory - does it have a lifespan? Will it eventually dry out, die and disintegrate? I love the look of it but I'm scared it's not going to last forever. I'm looking at the Scenic Woodlands natural coloured lichen. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[@GiftofChaosStudio]

Do you have a video on cheaper alternatives to woodland scenics flocks?

[@L3chuckk]

Mel great tutorial. I have a question. The flock is comercial, or is homemade? if done at home, can you tell me what the name of that green paint and what is the material (sawdust perhaps)?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Diego Martín Gwiazdziniski It's from Javis mate

[@basmolenaar2911]

I would like a toturial about a bigger/denser tree

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Bas Molenaar On the list now bud :-)

[@evolvedcreations8638]

Personally I like this method better than the steel wool. In terms of armatures, I would love to see realistic branches. I have been using tin foil for trunks believe it or not and then use milliput to sculpt the bark and then clark bark etc.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Duane Clark All in due course buddy. Clark bark, love it!

[@tonybongo1122]

Thank you for inspiring a newbie.

[@Rulzan]

thank you very much for sharing ! cheers

[@Frank.B.Crafts]

Is there a clump foliage tree in the pipeline? If you already did one i cant seem to find it.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Frank B It's in the pipeline mate, I need to do another armature vid before we get to it ;-)

[@Frank.B.Crafts]

TheTerrainTutor Awesome.. I just got a cheap blender to make the foam clump foliage..

[@hpstorian]

This is great, thanks mate!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+OttomanScribe I'm here to help bud ;-)

[@ddwebdesign5385]

I'm new to tree making. What flock do you use?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Javis Premium Scatter

[@M0U53B41T]

yeah you def don't want to be adding watered down PVA to moss, well at least if you don't want it all blown up, like. The moss'll absorb the water enormously and get a lot bigger, maybe not as much with the primer first but still

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+M0U53B41T I've done it for years without any problems mate, how are you doing it?

[@M0U53B41T]

huh interesting! maybe I'm either adding too much water to the mix, or your moss is dryer? do you always primer it first? maybe that's the diff *edit* Ya know what I will experiment and see ^_^ if it's as simple as needing to primer first, sweet! I don't have pic but when I last did this my little moss absorbed enough water to expand it about half again.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

M0U53B41T Let me know how you get on bud, I'm genuinely interested as I've never had it dry out, I thought it was a hobby myth

[@baldpipesmoker1]

Looks good man!👍

[@alfiemcphelim9387]

Does the lichen ever decay, mould or lose colour/body?

[@Itsmevictoire]

AMAZING!🌻 ❤FROM DALLAS TEXAS

[@SuperSettra]

You're Bob Ross of modeling xD

[@ronny3124]

Good vid Mel. Nice tree, great enthusiasm !Wire armature tree would be great, I want to give them a go.One question, what was the flock you used for the tree ?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Ian Starling It's coming mate, the flock was mid green from javis scenics mate

[@suebewebs]

wire tree please.. thanks Mel

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+suebe webs (suebewebs) On the list mate :-)

[@The_Eno]

Whats the name of the lichen you purchased? Would love to find some at my local hobby shop but I can't seem to find any.

[@StalkeraBg]

Wish i could find lichen in my country (when i google it in Bulgarian , i get skin diseases, nothing else :/ (and only 4 hobby kits online shops, one not even being in BG and costs a full set to deliver it I do know where to find lots of moss tho, thats the only thing i can find in massive amounts around here (and its free) Think drying moss and then spraying with PVA mix with paint will work as replacement ?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Lichen is moss mate, thats the proper name for it, according to google, you're national parks are full of it, pick it, wash it, give it a soak in glycerin

[@StalkeraBg]

thank you ! :) Well city parks arent the cleanest places here ,so ill just go to any of the rivers around or forests Great source to find any twigs to make trees out of too (still your wire method is way sturdier) (Just hope there isnt a poisonous variety, the Airfield Diorama im making will be in my room)

[@PhillipMcCallum]

lichen you said it right before you corrected you self but does not matter great job .i understood it all the way downunder thank.flook sounds like f!?! to a assie will be sharinging on G+

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Phillip McCallum LOL, as long as you understood it, we're good mate

[@PLKubix]

Hi Mel, I'm wondering because I can't find it on other videos (you put some photos but i need more !! :) ) How did you made the stand for the tree?

[@credoimperialis]

Thanks!!!!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

no worries

[@rcoutdoors8176]

Could you just leave the the lichen as is and spray it with something to stiffen it

[@johntailby74]

I agree that the tree looks nice but the moss is too uniform in colour. ideally the moss would be sprayed brown to represent the small branches and then flocked with different shades to represent the leaves.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+john tailby I thought I talked about brown sprays in the vid, black was all I had bud ;-)

[@odin9338]

+john tailby kinda "miss pissy" correction dont ya think ? XD especially when he mentioned it in le-video!

[@johntailby74]

Ravnican You misunderstood what I was saying. I was trying to recommend the green moss got sprayed brown or black so that it looks like the small tree branches then add green flock to make the leaves. At the moment the moss looks too bright and is the wrong colour for branches.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

john tailby did you miss the bit in the vid where I sprayed it black mate and said I'd have preferred dark brown but black was all I had? ;-D

[@johntailby74]

I think we are talking at cross purposes. I don't seem to be able to explain my point. Maybe I did miss something in the video.

[@garfieldwithissuez]

Wire tree video first please.

[@CatmanJimbo]

+garfieldwithissuez Pretty sure he did one already?

[@M0U53B41T]

+garfieldwithissuez did, link in vid

[@garfieldwithissuez]

+M0U53B41T you guys didn't watch to the end of the video did you? You gave the option of continuing on a more advanced wire tree design or something else.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+garfieldwithissuez It's on the list, just need to order the materials mate

[@M0U53B41T]

garfieldwithissuez did but I tend to comment as I go lol and the context didn't hit me Just hate for anyone to miss a great vid from Mel!

[@DeWaldripont]

[ lahy-kuh n ] or [ lie ken ] not [ li-chen ] someone's pulling your leg mate. Keep the videos coming!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Maelzebrul It's all a matter of perspective bud, plenty more to come ;-)

[@Frank.B.Crafts]

400 suicides?!?!?! Good lord, they need to craft more. by the by, still likin' the lichen?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Frank B When did I mention suicides? Thanks bud

[@Frank.B.Crafts]

TheTerrainTutor it was in the paper..

[@TheTerrainTutor]

***** Ah, well at least it wasn't page three like the other time .... ;-D

[@Pedro116092]

You didn't tell us why you wanted to keep the folage soft.. Me the firmer the better

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Just use a firmer substructure mate

[@aj1finch]

So you pronounce it "Li-ch-en"? I'm Liken that! ;)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+AJ Finch I do ;-D

[@ME-hm7zm]

This is the technique I use for trees back when I still did miniatures stuff: goo.gl/eyuJcz Served me well, scalable, and quite handy in actual play. Not the most inexpensive, though.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Michael Eversberg II That's a proper old school technique, I remember seeing it in the generals compendium. Well executed mate :-)

[@ME-hm7zm]

TheTerrainTutor Thanks! I hope sometime in the near future I can get around to finishing a few large-scale versions of it!

[@n0ledge]

We say "lee-ken" in french, but I don't even know how to say it in english anymore

[@GregoryGeilman]

How to pronounce lichen? Depends if you are American or a Brit! We Americans say liken, while you BrIts tend to say litchen. Both are correct btw!

[@redgreen09]

well me i prime in difent colors brown and green and let some the lichen peek the fore the difent shades of foege come the then flock with mix of light and dark and briown flock and got some on the grownd to do grass thats just me good looking like it ;;;;;;;]]] PS sorry fogot the joke WHAT NO PAGE 3 GIRL UK news paprers

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+redgreen09 i wasn't looking at the paper bud ;-D

[@danielchalmers9815]

you always start singing when you spray indoors, the fumes.... when i was at college we sprayed indoors. The whole class by the end of the day we were sitting in our chairs in two single file lines pretending to be olympic rowers.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Daniel Chalmers I'd never thought of it like that before mate

[@danielchalmers9815]

+TheTerrainTutor sorry if i've made you self conscious, your singing is lovely i assure you.

[@majorbrighton]

Understand your intentions are good. Yet it was a bit sloppy, you weren’t breathing those sprays in I hope. I’ve had to work with prays, retouching photos and paint fumes for 45 years now, so have damaged my lungs. Please don’t go down that road and invest in a proper air filter system, for your kids sake if not your own.

[@westeroslifestyle4775]

you have to stop saying "ya". i believe you said it almost 75 times, I lost count. it makes the video hard to watch.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+westeroslifestyle If I could, I would ;-)