How to make miniature plants from etched brass

A flat etched brass fret of leaves, fronds and grasses

These plants are etched in a flat brass fret, 46 x 300mm, for scales from 1:12 to 1:50. They suit architectural models, model railways, dolls houses, dioramas and fantasy miniatures.

A flat etched brass fret of leaves, fronds and grasses

Handling the brass

Carefully remove the brass fret from its plastic packaging, taking care not to touch the flat surface too much: brass is sensitive to contaminants and may tarnish with fingerprints. It is best to handle it with gloves, but holding it by the edges is fine.

A gloved hand holding the brass fret by its edges

Priming

The brass needs to be primed before the plants can be coloured. A grey Hycote primer is perfect: it gives a good, even coverage and the dark colour makes a good base.

  1. Hang the brass fret in a well ventilated area.
  2. Shake the primer well and spray from about 20cm, using short, light dusting passes.
  3. Allow 15 minutes before you apply a second coat. This is the all-over coat: apply it as evenly as possible, again from 20cm.
  4. After another 15 minutes, check the primer has covered in a nice even coat. Apply another coat if necessary.

The brass fret after priming, an even dark grey all over

Base coat

Once the primer is fully dry, remove the plants you want to use from the sprue. Photo etch scissors are ideal for this. Then add the green base coat with a green acrylic spray. We used Belton Fern Green.

Spraying green paint over primed etched leaves

Detail and character

Now start applying detail and character to your plants with varied shades of brush-on acrylic paint. Try to add shading to emphasise the stems.

Spraying from a distance can give a speckled effect. Mask off any plants you don't want a particular effect on. Once you are happy with the finish, allow the paint to dry fully.

We then used Fast tack, a fast-drying PVA glue, to create the look of raised veins on the leaves. It was applied after the green spray and speckling.

Holding a painted etched plant with tweezers beside other painted pieces

Shaping

Now gently bend the plants into shape to suit your situation. Some touching up may be needed if any paint flakes. Use a PVA glue to fix the plants to your model.

Gently bending a painted etched frond into shape with gloved fingers

A row of finished miniature plants in terracotta pots

What you need