Hi,

I'm going to build a dio with pine trees in winter. Does one paint the branches white before adding baking soda or talc or does one just sprinlke on the talc.

Also is it realistic not to have the whole tree white even if there is heavy snow on the ground. I've been to Europe in winter but I can't remember.

Cheers
Digger

I would not paint the tree white. I would recommend Hudson and Allen snow or microballoons rather than talc. And no, the entire tree should not be covered in snow, the well protected areas up under the limbs and branches would be free of snow even in a heavy snowfall, at least here in California. ( Despite TV and movie scripts that would have you believe otherwise the truth is that fully 1/2 of California is forest with snow on the ground from November until June).

Coop

When doing "snow on trees" I first suggest painting the tree as you normally would. then come back and first highlight areas you want to be "snowbound" in white paint. Be sure to paint one side of the base of the tree as well... snow rarely falls "straight down"... it usually comes from one angle or another. The whilte paint helps you visualize where the snow will be covered. If you find you need more snow, add more white paint... if you have too much, then come back and repaint in brown tones to match the original wood. Do this till you are satisfied with the basic pattern result.

Once this is dry, come back and "paint" on some white glue, over the white paint... and then take some HYDROCAL (found in most train hobby shops) and sprinkle it liberally from above the tree. Be sure to put newspaper under the trees so you can catch all the falling hydro dust. You can certainly re-use it.

If you want to add a heavier layer of snow now, first decide if you are adding enough to any given limb so that it might bend under the weight... if so, then bend the limb and we'll add more.

To actually build up a thicker coat, wait until the first hydrocal coat is TOTALLY dry and rock hard. then come back and add another diulted water/glue coat, and repeat the step above until the desired effect is achieved.

Works great, and looks very good!

As Keith says that snow doesnt fall straight, so there should be some at one side. But also in heavy snow there are snow drifts, where the light snow is blown under the trees. So snow generally doesnt lay flat. It usually sweeps up against anything solid. Not all evergreens are solid with leaves either. Most have very little foilage lower down and just withered looking branches. See here for an example. Check under dioramas.
I have seen reports about baking soda going yellow after some time so look into using some of the items that Keith mentioned. If you have an airbrush, maybe light mistings of white can be effective or if not use a spray can ... cautiously.

Is that paint they sell at Hobbylobby any good for painting snow ? It comes in about three different kinds looks kind of thick this stuff herehttp://www.craftsetc.com/Store/Product.aspx?c=5&p=30049



How about these trees


Beautifull isn't it.

There's a product that people often counsel here in France, it's a kind of flour, but made from potato. You sprinkle it, like falling snow, on a surface that's received white glue.

Thanks for all your help.

I haven't checked whether the products mentioned are available but will do so soon.

Cheers
Digger