Adding Texture and Character to Wood

Texture in Modeling

Take the time to add a little texture to your latest project!


	Texture will add depth, shadows, and realism to your modeling. The world is full of texture, just look around you!


	This is just a small example of texture on wood and metal surfaces. Rust and grime on metal is easily modeled using powdered chalk. Texture on wood is random and simple to add.

Metal and wood surfaces represent most of what we model. A little extra time spent working with these materials will do more to enhance your modeling than any other single process. For wood I start with a combination of two different wire scratch brushes. Both are available at your local hardware store, usually in the paint section. Random grooves of varying thickness are applied to each piece of stripwood before and after staining or coloring.


	A large wire scratch brush is used to add the primary texture prior to staining. The large grooves and heavy bristles really age and chew the wood up. If you are modeling newer wood skip this step and use the small brush after staining as shown below.


	A large brush is used first as shown, prior to staining. This brush provides the primary layer of texture. The grooves are thick and will mostly be filled in by the staining process. The older the desired look, the heavier the brushing. You can actually "over brush" and cause splitting and cracking!


	The small wire scratch brush is the most important tool you have in creating wood with unique and random texture. It looks like a toothbrush and can be found in the paint department of your local hardware store. Both the brass and steel bristles are equally effective in their usage.

A smaller detail brush shown above, (it looks like a toothbrush) adds the final layer of texture. This "texture upon texture" process yields the most realistic aged wood surfaces I have seen. This smaller brush comes with either brass or steel bristles and imparts a very fine, random series of grooves. (It can also be used on clapboard siding.) Once again the amount of deterioration can be controlled by how long and hard you brush. The edge of stripwood will benefit greatly from a brushing also.


	Finishing details include knot holes, splits, cracks, etc. . . and can be made with a blade or small blunt tip of a compass.




	The Finished Wall




		The selective addition of extra detailing brings a wall to life! Knot holes, splits, cracks, and missing boards result in a wall with lots of character. These details should always be subtle and never overdone however.

The techniques presented here are fast and simple to apply to commercial stripwood. Many of the same methods can also be used on siding with equally impressive results. The extra time spent in adding the details is well worth the effort as these pictures illustrate. The weathering and deterioration is just moderate, but it demands your attention! The broken windows also add a great deal of character enhancing the overall wall.