Dewbakuk's 'Mare Solem' project thread

[Dewbakuk]

Been a while since I posted anything of note so I thought I'd start a project thread for a build I started this weekend. Hopefully it will keep me engaged and my upcoming failures prove useful to others 

Mare Solem is a sub-setting for the Inquisimunda/Inq28 minded individuals. There are a few around these days but this one is set on the 99% water covered planet of Mare Solem, so we get to play with boats etc 

We have a gaming day coming up in October and I've offered to get some scenery done for it. This isn't my first time doing water based terrain but these pieces are likely to be bigger than my previous builds so I'll be trying some new (old but new to me) techniques that I've never gotten around to. Anyway, enough words, let's see some wip pictures of the rock spire based research station I've started with







So as you can see, I've started with a chunk of crappy polystyrene packing I had lying around. I don't like working with the stuff normally but it will make a nice core to a larger build. I've then gone with the ripped upholstery foam technique as used by model railroad types. I start by putting on big block shapes I like:



And then start infilling the gaps:



I'm using Gorrila Glue pva as it has more of a grip than normal pva. Cocktail sticks are pushed in to hold it in place while the glue dries. They are removed whole where possible but where they get glued in, you can push the foam in around the stick and clip it off so the foam covers it. Just keep working around, although I skip areas that will get a building added.









Then here are some pics after the sticks have been removed and showing a mock up of how the buildings fit in. Also added figures for scale.





And then a shot of the rocky side to show figures can be stood on parts. I'll be working in some climbing spots for this side.




Currently it looks like a pile of rocks but once the coating goes on to harden it all and the paint/foliage is added it should all tie back together.

So, has anyone done this style of rock before? I know the Mac brothers did for the Aquanaughts game if either of you are reading. If you have, what did you find to be the best way to seal the rocks. There are various methods and I've done similar bits soaked in PVA previously and the railroad way is to put a thinned wall filler over the top to harden it. Curious to hear from people who've actually done it though as I don't want it to get too heavy.

[zemjw]

curious to see how this progresses - it's going to be a beast 

I haven't tried it on foam, but modge podge is worth a look. amazon link

I've used it on cardboard and it worked a treat, so worth considering for foam

[gamer Mac]

I believe that we used watered down poly-filler and PVA mixture that took an age to dry
Andy done most of it so I am sure he will have better hints, I will give him a nudge.
I think that we dipped our sponge in the mixture before fitting it to a base

[Dewbakuk]

Cheers.

Hmm soaking it first, not sure I could do that with this build. Well I could but it would be seriously messy...
Might try it on a smaller one

[OSHIROmodels]

Hooray! 

Looking good so far. Did you think about using a hot glue gun to stick the foam on?

[Dewbakuk]

curious to see how this progresses - it's going to be a beast 

I haven't tried it on foam, but modge podge is worth a look.

Thanks, hope it all works out
Modge Podge is one of those products I should probably try at some point. Need something a bit more economical for this kind of thing though.

Hooray! 

Looking good so far. Did you think about using a hot glue gun to stick the foam on?

I did but I thought the Gorrila Glue would soak in and help from the start. Probably not worth it to be honest though.

[Bullshott]

Can't wait to see this project finished, as I have a water based post-apocalypse project in the back of my mind (definitely NOT based on Waterworld).

Will you be leaving a bit to paint on the day in October?   

[Dewbakuk]

Will you be leaving a bit to paint on the day in October?   

Not for the Mare Solem day but I’ll add something extra to paint if it comes to BLAM 

[Dewbakuk]

I decided I needed some simpler rocks to block out the board (and test the filler mix on) and to set the scene. So I've quickly ripped and thrown these together. This first one will get another stack with buildings on to go with the first. Not sure if I want to do the boat as a terrain peice or not yet. Very little foliage on the low rocks, but I will be putting things like scrap built wind turbines etc on them.




This is a test layout for a scavenger/fishing/refuelling port. The idea is to put walkways and shanty buildings/platforms etc over the scant ground.



Put some of the Necro walkways on with containers to check it... Looks like a mess, so won't be doing it this way 

[OSHIROmodels]

Build build build 

[Malamute]

Splendid, good to see you back at it.

[Dewbakuk]

Last one for tonight. Decided to test a couple of methods for hardening the rocks. The one on the right has been soaked with my standard pva/water mix and may get a thin filler layer on after, will see how it feels. The one io the left is ‘hardcore mode’ and is the same pva/water mix with plaster added to it. I’m interested to see what happens but I suspect it will be very hard, quite heavy and maybe brittle, we’ll see.

[OSHIROmodels]

I suppose drying them on the bbq is one idea 

 

[Dewbakuk]

I suppose drying them on the bbq is one idea 

 

That would have been easier than finding a rubbish cake rack and a bucket 

[OSHIROmodels]