My first attempts at grass were trying acrylic paint. This left the grass stiff and the fibers bunched together. This makes it perfect for making bushes. The paint glues the fibers together. An armature forms, apply ground foam and perfect bushes can be made. I use Joann Fabrics Grizzly Fur. I also found a fur from Mendl's that is even better. Mendl's offers free samples
This is Mendl's "Hair Plug Fur-Tan and grey base with brown hairs"
The Mendl's fur on the left is coarser and has more bristles. The Grizzly Fur is wispy and finer. Both furs work well but I really like the Mendl's. The variation will add the texture of the scene.
Use cheap craft paints to color the bush. I color them green. The best colors are Hunters Green and Olive Green. Brown or Black gives an unnatural look in most cases.
The fur is cut from the backside to maximize the fibers. Cut a piece about a half-inch square.
Squeeze dollops of paint into the fur. I use the two greens. Make the Olive green slightly larger. The paint should be a shade lighter than the ground foam to be applied.
Massage the paint into the fur. There should be enough paint that the fur is slightly wet. Let this start to dry for a few minutes.
Take tweezers and pull the fibers up. Separate some but leave a few as thicker branches.
The bushes will look like this after pulling the fibers when wet. Let them dry.
Glue a small piece of cardboard slightly smaller than the fabric base. This keeps the fabric from curling. I use Walther's Goo.
Fluff up the fibers. Spritz with cheap maximum-hold hair spray. Sprinkle the bush with ground foam.
The fibers are fluffed out to make it bushier. Re-spritz with a light coat of hair spray to hold the foam in place. The bush will look better than any other model bush.
I think faux fur grasses high and low are a definite leap forward. I have only been experimenting for a month and a half. This process appears to have more channels to follow. Now it is possible to have realistic appearing ¼" scale scenes. California modeling can now have its dead grass. The bushes are an added bonus.
