I haven't noticed to much difference between manufacturer's static grass in ease of application and well it stands up but there is a big difference in color.  My favorite is Faller 180485 6mm grass as it has a nice blend of darker green fibers that look like mid summer grass to me.  I have also used Faller but to me it looks a little to light for me and some of Peko's new grass has an odd mix of greens in it.

The Faller grass is sometimes hard to find and right now it is out of stock at many US distributors.  I may try the Siflor brand as their green looks like summer to me....but photos of the bags of grass is not exactly how it will look on the layout.

I haven't noticed to much difference between manufacturer's static grass in ease of application and well it stands up but there is a big difference in color.  My favorite is Faller 180485 6mm grass as it has a nice blend of darker green fibers that look like mid summer grass to me.  I have also used Faller but to me it looks a little to light for me and some of Peko's new grass has an odd mix of greens in it.

The Faller grass is sometimes hard to find and right now it is out of stock at many US distributors.  I may try the Siflor brand as their green looks like summer to me....but photos of the bags of grass is not exactly how it will look on the layout.

Rick! I've been looking for that dry brown static grass color in your photo. Do remember what it was called? Was it static grass or desert tufts?

Rick,

I'll second Pete's request for more detail on how you got the look in your photo,  especially the

beige and browns.  It looks fantastic!

Lance

Speaking of Color, the area I am modeling is eastern Utah / western Colorado - basically desert.  Time of year does seem to influence color as it can be quite dry and or more lush and greener depending on season etc.

Suggestions?

Thanks for the comments guys.. the making of the tufts is covered here and some static grass is lightly covered:         http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/20314?page=9

Basically I'm using Silflor 6mm golden and Woodland Scenic 2mm honey. I do toss in various amounts of other 4mm "dry" colors along with the above mentioned types.

Off the top of my head these next steps are the critical ones to make it look like alkali scrub and not a lawn.

The preparation of the ground with plaster and soil with sifted rubble in it. Use different colors and strengths of paint and weathering chalks/pastels to get a mottled look to the surface. All done quickly and randomly......messy is good and very light variations are best. A lot of mine are accidents and spills from the scenery process.

I put in all the homemade tufts (made from cheap natural bristle brushes I get by the dozens off of eBay) first and the static grass second. Take a 1/2" cheap bristle brush and cut up the end of the bristles (make sure the brush is a natural bristle one and not synthetic) to make it ragged. Apply the glue for the static grass with a rough stabbing motion so it is uneven. Spotty not even. Apply the different static in the usual manner and vacuum up excess.

I have not found a static grass yet that has the correct tone. The ones I'm using are very close but have just a hint of green or other colors that make them look odd especially when combining various types. 

The next two steps are what (to my mind) make it look real. I go back and forth with these steps working quick and  freely, and I will go back and add more vegetation as I go along and repeat earlier steps as needed. 

I decant Krylon camouflage paints and using mostly "sand" thinned and airbrushed in multiple applications sometimes mixing in small amounts of white and brown. Then using an old steel bristled brush scrub through the static grass thinning and completely removing patches. Vacuum a little more, paint, scrub, repeat......until it looks.......well, like hell. 

I have another thread that may have more info and I'll add a link when I find it.

Edit, here it is      http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/28023?page=1

BTW Lance, look at these photos with the buildings and you'll recognize photo techniques that I "borrowed" from you! The scrub hasn't been applied to these scenes yet but should be happening soon.

I just get in the ballpark on color, then I airbrush the static grass to get the exact color I want and to add subtle color variations and highlights.

Straight static grass usually isn't the right color exactly, and besides, the color is often too unnatural looking anyhow. Airbrushing allows adding a lot of realistic and subtle color variation. I've also been known to hit the grass with a brush to add specific spots of color variation and highlights.

Remember when doing scenery work to match to photos. If you do that, the results will be a lot more realistic.

I wondered if you had painted the static grass and tufts. Like you said, most of the static grasses - even the "dry" ones - have green in them.

Thanks Rick.  Pretty fantastic look.  By the way, that last shot with the boxes is in front of the warehouse is a show stopper.  Really great work.

Lance

beautiful work, love the structure and all the details.     John