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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Duke Donald on April 15, 2018, 02:24:36 PM

Title: Generic terrain: second tree done
Post by: Duke Donald on April 15, 2018, 02:24:36 PM
I realised I needed more terrain pieces. I decided to build some fairly generic, yet hopefully attractive pieces. The rationale is to be build a set of pieces that should be useable for essentially any genre or period from antiquity to near future.

I started with a tree.
(https://i.imgur.com/r2bq70k.jpg)
Title: Re: Generic terrain: scratch built tree
Post by: Codsticker on April 15, 2018, 08:58:03 PM
I like it very much. :)
Title: Re: Generic terrain: scratch built tree
Post by: Duke Donald on April 16, 2018, 05:27:28 PM
Thanks Codsticker!

I started working on the next one.

(https://i.imgur.com/7kT3PsY.jpg)
Title: Re: Generic terrain: scratch built tree
Post by: OSHIROmodels on April 16, 2018, 06:14:16 PM
Looking good  :)

I would suggest a little more foliage at the top of the first one though.
Title: Re: Generic terrain: scratch built tree
Post by: Duke Donald on April 16, 2018, 06:58:48 PM
Looking good  :)

I would suggest a little more foliage at the top of the first one though.

I felt something didn't look quite right bit I couldn't put the finger on the problem. You nailed it. I added a few clumps on the top and it looks far more natural. Thanks a lot! It's fantastic to get advice from professional model makers.

(https://i.imgur.com/YVx2oSF.jpg)
Title: Re: Generic terrain: scratch built tree
Post by: OSHIROmodels on April 16, 2018, 07:21:32 PM
Yes, that does the job  8)
Title: Re: Generic terrain: scratch built tree
Post by: FifteensAway on April 17, 2018, 02:06:04 AM
Thought it was a wire wrap armature.  Curious how you got the trunk texture?

Another way to jazz up a tree is to do each of the following: from the bottom, spray a darker color of green to enhance the shadows and - then - from the top, spray a lighter, greenish-yellow works, color to enhance the highlights. 

If you don't trust using a dash of paint (floral paint would be best option, less chance of overly dense coverage), then you can use a cheap brand of hairspray and some lighter and darker bits of flocking to achieve the same effect.  WARNING: use completely unscented hairspray.  That scent lasts for decades.  Believe me, I know (old college years art work that still emanates a hint of the hairspray fixative).
Title: Re: Generic terrain: second tree WIP
Post by: Duke Donald on April 21, 2018, 09:40:35 AM
Thought it was a wire wrap armature.  Curious how you got the trunk texture?

I covered the wire armature with liquid latex, and then some putty on top (photo below). Thanks for the suggestions. I'm experimenting with different materials and techniques to work out what works best, and will at try out the hairspray approach for flocking.

(https://i.imgur.com/DeoVhQ1.jpg)
Title: Re: Generic terrain: second tree WIP
Post by: Codsticker on April 21, 2018, 04:39:21 PM
I covered the wire armature with liquid latex, and then some putty on top (photo below).
Using liquid latex to coat the armature is a great idea- I will have to try that.
Title: Re: Generic terrain: scratch built tree
Post by: Duke Donald on April 22, 2018, 05:27:54 PM
Quote
Using liquid latex to coat the armature is a great idea- I will have to try that
Liquid latex works well and is fun to play with. It's a bit expensive but I've now got enough to build hundreds of trees!

Second tree done. A bit bland (and the flash didn't help) and might benefit from another round of dry brushing on the bark. For the next tree, I'm planning something a bit different
(https://i.imgur.com/exatZnZ.jpg)
Title: Re: Generic terrain: second tree done
Post by: Juxt on April 24, 2018, 10:48:18 AM
Pretty sharp looking trees, really like how you've based them too  :)

the second tree might be bland to your eyes, but every tree in your collection can't be the most characterful one, you need some more mundane ones to make the special ones stand out enough.
Title: Re: Generic terrain: second tree done
Post by: Karadek on April 30, 2018, 07:38:54 PM
Well done.  I like the tulip on the base.  It's a nice touch.
Title: Re: Generic terrain: second tree done
Post by: FifteensAway on May 01, 2018, 03:41:00 AM
If I may, I think one of your challenges is the base color you are using for your trunks.  If you live near a bunch of trees, go out and look at them with a critical eye.  And then count how many of them are actually brown.  I think you will find the answer is not many - and very rarely ever a uniform brown.  Something as simple as a base color of gray with a brownish (not brown) wash, maybe a red brown, with a lighter dry brush will give a very different result, say mixing your red brown with a dash of white to tone it down for the dry brush and then a bit more white for some highlighting.
Title: Re: Generic terrain: second tree done
Post by: Smokeyrone on May 01, 2018, 08:36:56 PM
Very good