Sticks & Stones

[mikec55]

A quick question for you users of real wood in your dioramas. If you use authentic broken sticks to represent barricades, trenches, or fallen logs in your dioramas, is it necessary to somehow prep the sticks to make them last? I know a few companies make fine looking resin stumps & logs but I'd think the real thing is a nicer touch. Thanks,

Mike

 

[captnenglish]

I prefer not to prep wood and have never hada problem

 

[KeithP]

Me either.

I do, however, add some acrylic washes and have highlighted with humbrol enamels.

Here is one from ~ a year ago.

Keith

 

[mikec55]

Very good. Thanks guys.

 

[thegoodsgt]

I've applied a coat of polyurethane varnish to seal the wood. I'm not sure it's really necessary, but it seems to make sense to my mind.

 

[Lancer]

Hi Mike
Learned this one from my museum days! Spray 50% glycerine (available at your local drugstore) and 50% water on live plants and wood as a preservative. Let it dry and repeat about 3-4 times. Here is a photo of a dying bonsai tree I used with a figure around 1985. Tree is still holding up!
Cheers
Mark

 

[mikec55]

Steve & Mark--

Thanks for the input. The bonsai tree was a pretty clever idea.

Mike