Styrofoam Tree Roots
#1
Posted 28 April 2012 - 05:07 PM
This is my first thread about doing a DIY project. Although i have done a few with different things.
I had a quick look online and i couldn't find much on the topic of making a tree trunk/roots (besides ones that are built into a 3D background). If anyone knows of a site or if anyone here has done it before some help would be great!
I've never attempted this kind of thing before so you guys will be the first to see my fails and triumphs and i will post along the way so if you ever go on to try it you will know what works and what doesn't.
My reason for trying this is i know driftwood can be expensive for large pieces like this and didn't want to fork out $100+ on wood plus i don't like the look of tannins in the water.
So here are some pics from today's work. Just waiting for the glue to dry before i do any major sculpting. This piece is about 70cm tall and 50cm wide to give you an idea
Wanted to give you a good 3d look at it as its hard to tell with Styrofoam being all white.
All comments and questions are welcome! Thanks
#2
Posted 28 April 2012 - 06:20 PM
Cheers
Rigs
#3
Posted 28 April 2012 - 06:47 PM
As for texture i was thinking wall plaster, as i have used it on foam before with model making and gave a pretty cool texture and then seal it all up after i've painted it with pond sealer, anyone know where to get that from?
#4
Posted 28 April 2012 - 11:24 PM
#5
Posted 29 April 2012 - 05:07 PM
I did the major carving/shaping today. I did a rough sculpt with a box cutter just to take of some edges. Then went on with a blow torch to "shrink/melt" the foam into a less box shape and gave it a bit of texture and randomness. Also added a first layer (half arsed as it was falling apart) of plaster to give the texture. I think it turned out alright!
NOTE Styrofoam is flammable so keep a spray bottle handy as if you get to close and catch a piece on fire it tends to get away from you unless you have a spray bottle. You want to avoid blowing on it as it gives off carcinogenic smoke that you want to avoid huffing and puffing in.
Here is a look at what the blow torch does to the foam from a distance.
#6
Posted 29 April 2012 - 05:14 PM
How about creating latex moulds of real driftwood or would that be a pricey exercise?
Daz
#7
Posted 29 April 2012 - 05:20 PM
i have seen someone make a mold and use that with fiberglass but that means actually having the wood in the first place.
#8
Posted 29 April 2012 - 05:49 PM
#9
Posted 01 May 2012 - 12:30 AM
#10
Posted 10 May 2012 - 02:53 PM
Got some new pics of my progress! I was on holidays for a week but im back and have plastered and painted it. I've started with the sealer and that will prob take a day as it takes 4 hours to dry between coats. So here are some pics of what it looks like
First brown "undercoat"
A few colours added: Light brown, Light green, Dark green, black and then a Darker brown over the top of it all just to make the colours blend together
#11
Posted 10 May 2012 - 03:13 PM
#12
Posted 12 May 2012 - 08:21 AM
Being a DIY thread prob a good idea to add a list of products etc used if u get a moment (in between coats ).
#13
Posted 12 May 2012 - 01:23 PM
I do a fair bit of painting myself. Those tubes look like water based acrylics I have.
Sam
#14
Posted 20 May 2012 - 06:40 PM
I do a fair bit of painting myself. Those tubes look like water based acrylics I have.
Sam
The coat i used was a pond sealer i got from bunnings that i Airbrushed on. and the paint is just a basic acrylic nothing fancy.
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users