Rumble in the Jungle

[Treadheadz]

I recently stumbled over the good Dr. Mathias's Arboreal Extravaganza - An excellnt collection of tutorial in tree-making.

I then decided to venture off into the deep and make some new jungle themed terrain for our group.

The following is a few WIP photos to show the slooooow progress - And simply to have a picture reference place for those on facebook and other corners of the interwebs to peruse.


Still needs some paintwork and ground foliage.
I am contemplating on using flat irregular "lids" with rubberised horsehair for the tree-tops, but since I imagine they would be seldom used, I'm not in a hurry to finish the tree-tops.


Scaleshot with Spectre and GW-ish models


4-tree base


More bases - In addition to static foliage around the trunks, some of them will have removable bases with large bushes and scrubs.


Eat your greens!


Trunks and "barricades"


More trunks and "barricades".

Once Im done with this batch, I'll start on some "themed" bases:
Burried weapons cache and/or mass grave (C'est Afrique!)
Multible layered bases with rocky outcrops.
Same as above with bunker/mine entrance.
Crashed Aircraft/Flyer.

I hope you like it - I will hopefully update somewhat regularly-ish

[Zaheer]

Looking good! I wouldn't bother with tree tops (something I've been pondering), they will just get in the way. if you were going for strict 'realism' the foliage would be on the ceiling. I think all that underbrush you have there will make everything look lush enough on it's own.

[OSHIROmodels]

Impressive 

cheers

James

[Vermis]

Wot, no ewoks?

Really nice work. Already it's got a good atmosphere.

[Treadheadz]

Wot, no ewoks?

Really nice work. Already it's got a good atmosphere.

...Thats what the mass graves are for

[Vermis]

 

[Marine0846]

Really like what you have done.
Look forward to seeing what is next.

[Argonor]

Seems legit.

Reminds me that I should get my ton of cheap plastic aquarium plants out and finally make something from them...

[Slayer]

really nice, liking your bases already

[Ssendam]

Looking good ... what material are you using for the actual base?

[Treadheadz]

 The bases are cut from a 3mm MDF board - The type where one side is smooth and the other is sort of rough.

To avoid to much warping, I keep the smooth side facing down.

The I've used both 5mm MDF and 5mm Foam card before, but for this kind of work, the 3mm works fine.

Also, the plan is to fix some felt(sp?) underneath to give a bit of friction when placed on the table.


BTW - IF you ever want to build these kind of trees, I strongly recommend the topic by Dr. Mathias - Very cool stuff - One little observation:

When using toilet/tissue paper for the structure, make a little test to see how the paper "cringes" when it gets wet - You can actually get some good "natural" lines either vertical or horisontal, and that can give a bit of variety in the trees.

[Treadheadz]

So all the bases are belong to... no wait, other type of forum

The main work on the tree bases are done and they are ready for detailing - I kind of went overboard, and now have 27(!) bases to complete with rocks, foliage, wines, bushes etc.

But in the end, I reckon it'll be worth it - Still on the terrain shelf is our old "woodland" terrain, along with the 3-5 themed bases I have planned, I think we are set for some cool jungle warfare!

Table shown is 4x4

ROADS!! I need to make some dirt roads!  Luckily I've found some cool tutorials on using Caulk for some thin flexible roads.

Next, project on the list is a small Air-strip and Hangar/Workshop and a few other sub structures.

Then I'll be working on some crop fields and lastly a shanty town much inspired by Nevermore's Mogadishu terrain.

[FifteensAway]

Here I am, the fish swimming up stream.  Again.  I love the bases, really do.  But I just will never be sold on this whole truncated trunk concept.  I understand the reasoning well.  But - for me - this approach does not damage the visual appeal.  It just plain annihilates it. 

Okay, said my piece.  But, if you must travel this road, at least paint the interiors to match - those white tops and interiors do whatever is worse than annihilation.   

[dijit]

Nice looking work so far. I would agree that the interiors need painting, but as the project is still unfinished there's time for that yet

I love the concept and have used it myself, I feel the effect is great and having a canopy wouldn't work at all. Plus most trees on a wargaming board are far too small and skinny. This method allows much larger trees without being a hindrance on the table.

[Ssendam]

Here I am, the fish swimming up stream.  Again.  I love the bases, really do.  But I just will never be sold on this whole truncated trunk concept.  I understand the reasoning well.  But - for me - this approach does not damage the visual appeal.  It just plain annihilates it. 

Okay, said my piece.  But, if you must travel this road, at least paint the interiors to match - those white tops and interiors do whatever is worse than annihilation.   

I think it looks fantastic; it makes me feel like I'm under the canopy and in the jungle ... however, I do agree with FifteensAway about the tops of the trees (well trunk's actually). It's a small move to just cap the trees off and pint brown but I really think you might notice the difference. 

You've given me inspiration to try this myself, thanks!