Modelling 1:48 Bamboo

Two bamboo lengths already put together. To create these, I used a mitre box and saw. For the #212 Evergreen styrene rod, I cut them into .5" sections. For the smaller #211 Evergreen rods, those were cut into roughly 3/8" sections. It really doesn't matter as there are over 1400 species of bamboo. Whatever size you want...just make sure each are the same to keep the visual going. 

These are the two products I used. Also in the picture is the custom jig I created. Using some Evergreen tubing, I made this jig to ensure that when both rod ends were slid together, they would be roughly centered with each other. The empty part in the middle of each half section of tubing is there because of the bulging internode that will be created when the Tamiya cement softens each rod end. Forcing the two rods together produces a small bulge around which resembles the bamboo join. 

A close-up of my jig. 

Here are some of the bamboo stalks I created and painted up. I used an airbrush and a couple of different Tamiya greens. Once that had dried, I sprayed gloss over them. The next day I brushed some Humbrol browns around the internodes (joins) to pick them out more. 

Picture of some of the bamboo stalks. 

Close-up of the stalks. 

Inspiration #1 for what bamboo looks like. 

Inspiration #2. I like this one for the type of leaves it has. 

Inspiration #3. Interesting to note that bamboo can be found in solid colors of green, yellow, brown, black, red to hues of blue! There are bamboo species striped with green, yellow, pink, brown, black or even combinations. 

This is a 1/35 option for female bamboo leaves. Yes, bamboo comes in sexes! 

I decided to try my hand at making some bamboo leaves. Since variations amongst species is abundant, I think this will pass. 

These area purpose-built products for punching leaves. I tried to find ones that had a variation of fingers in a young leaf state. You can see a section of painted paper I used. I used my wife's fabric acrylic paint to coat both sides of some left-over 1/48th sunflower plant paper I had and then punched. 

I also have this punch for making almost ivy-like branches. I think this may have a use in my diorama once each branch is suitably bent and tweaked.