"Alien-Like Tendrils/Vines: Suggestions???" Topic

How would I make something like these?

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(Zoom in for the detail)

Thanks.

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Backgrounder:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_weed

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I might try chopping up a bunch of thin white thread and using it like flock… mixed with Elmers and reddish paint/dye.

Then re-flock around it with regular green/brown.

Thin copper wire covered in red flock?

Raffia?

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What do you guys think, would lichen work too?

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I couldn't get the first link to work but if what is on the movie pic is what you want Lichen can work. you may have to cut it apart to select the right shapes though.

Weird. It worked for a short while!

Anyway, here is a much smaller version of that photo:

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Here is another view:

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Ok. This one is a little better . . .

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Here is HG Wells' description of it:

"Apparently the vegetable kingdom in Mars, instead of having green for a dominant colour, is of a vivid blood-red tint. At any rate, the seeds which the Martians (intentionally or accidentally) brought with them gave rise in all cases to red-coloured growths. Only that known popularly as the red weed, however, gained any footing in competition with terrestrial forms. The red creeper was quite a transitory growth, and few people have seen it growing. For a time, however, the red weed grew with astonishing vigour and luxuriance. It spread up the sides of the pit by the third or fourth day of our imprisonment, and its cactus-like branches formed a carmine fringe to the edges of our triangular window. And afterwards I found it broadcast throughout the country, and especially wherever there was a stream of water."
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Ok. If this does not open when you click on it, does it open when you right-click and open in a new tab?

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I think the string theory, red die and glue mixed with string, would work well. You could also buy some red dyed lichen. I have a bunch of red-ish purple lichen I use for poison bushes in "The Lost World", or for that alien look in Sci Fi adventures.

Spray down some red Silly String…? ;)

The other suggestion I have is to unravel some thick red yarn or twine, form a mat of it, and coat with a water/white glue mix to stiffen it.

along the same line as Zephyr1's suggestion (if trying to get the right color with paint is better/easier/cheaper than tracking down colored string/yarn):

1 – unravel a mess o'string or thread of the desired thickness.

2 – dip/dunk the wad into latex paint (of the desired color), mix/slosh thoroughly. (rubber gloves are a good idea in this and the following step…)

3 – pull the string/thread out of the paint, let it drip a bit, and lay the resulting mess onto a big board covered with wax paper: spread it out as thick/thin as desired.

4 – when the mess dries, spackle/spatter/dry-brush lighter/darker tones to create variation (same = unnatural = boring = ugly).

5 – peal off of board and cut to desired size/shapes.

btw – this method can be used to make your own custom-colored undergowth/bushes by substituting med-high density packing foam (the mushy kind, not styrofoam) for the string.

grind the stuff up in a blender to the size desired and proceed as in steps 2 – 4 above.

trees can be made in the same way: pinching/pulling off pieces from a rough block of foam (with pliers or fingers) yields a pretty good shape. glue a dowel in for a trunk, dip-coat, dry, spackle (or flock if you want ot be fancy)…and viola! forest-on-a-budget! and the suckers are tough!

GWerida,

I've gotta try that! If anything, it sounds like fun. :)

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OK. I may have some photos later this week of what I've done.

I'm giving it the finishing touches in the next couple of days.

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