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Are LED lights better than grain of wheat bulbs?
Posted in: Power and control, Best practices
23rd October 2019
Grain of wheat bulbs are filament based so run hot. This means in certain situation, they have a habit of melting...
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What are meant by the terms clinker and carvel built hulls and what advantages does each one have?
Posted in: Best practices
20th November 2023
Clinker and carvel are two different methods of constructing the hull of a ship or boat. Clinker built hulls, also...
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How can I best place delicate parts such as phot-etch items on my model ?
Posted in: Decals / Transfers
23rd October 2023
When it comes to scale modelling, placing delicate parts such as photo-etch and other small items requires patience,...
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Do pilots come with model plane kits?
Posted in: Kit building
11th July 2021
The vast majority of model plane kits do not come with pilots and these will need to be sourced separately.They...
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What is the best colour primer to use?
Posted in: Painting, Best practices
15th August 2019
This will depend on what it is you are painting and the colour of the top coat. Never forget that the colour of the...
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End of year opening times

If you select next day delivery, please note deliveries are not made on New Year's Day.

The shop in Sandown is closed on New Years's Day and closing at 2.30pm on New Year's Eve.

Tuesday 30th: 10am to 4.30pm - Wednesday 31st: 10am to 2.30pm - Thursday 1st: closed - Friday onwards: 10am to 4.30pm.

How do I model moss?

Moss is evident in much of the natural world as well as many darker or damp locations within the built environment, but how is it modelled?

There are a couple of methods used to model moss. Which you use depends on how much texture you require it to have. If you are applying it to a smaller scale or to a location that has only mere hints of moss growing, a wash is usually all that is needed to sufficiently weather a model with a moss effect. But if you are working with a larger scale or modelling a scene where moss has really taken hold, then more texture will generally be needed.

That texture is traditionally added in a couple of ways. A lightly textured finish can be achieved using an appropriately coloured pigment mixed with IPA. The exact thickness can be easily controlled by mixing varying amounts of each substance. Once you have a desired consistency, simply paint on and allow to dry.

If even more texture is required, then a diluted PVA mixed with a turf flock may be a better way to go. Start by adding a wash to your model to help blend the end effects. Next, mix some turf flock with a good quality PVA and stipple on with a brush (a good quality PVA is needed so that it dries clear).

Both methods create a convincing effect, but as always, practice makes perfect and experimentation with colours will go a long way to achieving a look that's right for your railway. Olive greens, burnt umbers and dry yellows are a good place to start but don' be afraid to mix and match numerous greens to replicate nature's patchwork.

Posted in: Scenery

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