Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Digits on 10 July 2024, 06:44:32 PM
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Something I’ve needed for a while, across a range of projects. Most commercial river systems are either too narrow, looking more like a simple brook than a river, or are overly winding, something that on the scale I play, looks absurd. Anyway, there are some beautiful examples out there of incredible rivers, but this is an attempt to simplify the build.
I’m going to concentrate on the first four foot of it (and a bend) but I intend to have at least seven feet eventually. I am using up a bridge I’ve sat on for a while, built into one section, but I will need a replacement piece ( or alternate crossing ) so I can vary its use.
I am deliberately making it to match the hidden ditch I made for the Northern shenanigans thread.
Anyway, on with the build.
I am using 1.5mm plasticard as a base in order to keep the river flush with the table top. I bought a pack of ten A4 sheets. This will allow me to make 12” sections.
I decided the simplest way to do this, was to cut sections always ensuring ends will match up with different sections, but trying to add a little shape variety without being daft. Having a couple of inches spare to use on width means I can offset each end if necessary.
I bevelled the edges of the plates, then added a thin green stuff sausage along each bank.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1991.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Then I’ve sanded the banks. I didn’t fancy messing with filler over the length of this. The bridge section was glued to the plate and I used a few offcuts of plasticard to pop under the ends of the road.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1992.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Spray black then start painting.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1993.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Deciding against a complex way of painting the river itself, I’ve opted for a dull yellow green so added a couple of coats of that.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1994.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I want some reeds mixed in with the flora, so this is added to the top of the water with dabs of superglue.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1996.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Then the first layer of yacht varnish is added.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1997.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Next up, another layer of varnish…then adding flora to the banks…and maybe a few ducks…..
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Nice job on those :-* :-* :-*
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Cheers….a bit to go though yet…..
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Those are coming along nicely. Cant wait to see the finished product.
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Nice. So far. Hope you vary the water color just a bit, maybe some brownish 'streaks' here and there. The reeds are a nice touch. If you still have left over egrets or can find some herons, those will go nice with the ducks. Maybe a few carp here and there just under the surface (a very thin bit of card or plastic painted appropriately). And in that last layer of varnish, a bit of glitter for added 'sparkle' - a little trick I use. Look forward to seeing whatever you do.
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Very nice start on a very useful project. I would also ad some brownish streaks to the water
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Very nice start on a very useful project. I would also ad some brownish streaks to the water
Sensible suggestion. The added versatility would allow you to model contemporary British waterways. ;)
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I really like the look of these river section! I agree with your analysis of most commercial and DIY rivers: too narrow to many bends and/or very steep edges.
As others said, the reeds are a really nice touch!
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Looking very nice! Is there a particular reason using yacht varnish?
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Looking very nice! Is there a particular reason using yacht varnish?
It produces a very high gloss. Used it myself for a whole board. Whilst it's somewhat more expensive than standard gloss varnish (at least locally) It's a damn sight cheaper than using tinted resins and the like and the most practical water-like solution for flat pieces like these. Which, btw, are very nice.
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Thanks for your answer!
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Cheers all. Unfortunately adding streaks is a no no as this gloss won’t take it…..I’m not that bothered to be honest….looks like a slow running river to me and the gloss will pick up shadows and reflections anyway. I may modgepodge a few ripples following ducks yet…
Anyway, added flora and I’m happy enough with them…
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_2020.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_2024.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Superb!! :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Great effect and so simple. The water colour is spot on as well. I used yacht varnish for a river I did once but tried to hurry it and poured it on instead of using water effect liquid, after plugging up both ends. I didn't plug very well and it leaked everywhere whilst only drying on the surface - very messy lesson!
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Cheers. Yup I’m not brave enough to pour it on here….simple painted coats and no spillage off the ends.
Need to order more reeds if I can remember what I used! Then another three pieces to make.
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If you want ripples, I think the water effect liquid is quite quick drying and you can blow it with a straw or even buy ripple effect stamps to push into the semi-dry surface.
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River looks great David.
Did you use Sisal string for the reeds?
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Pretty certain it was woodland scenics light field grass…..I will buy one just to confirm!
Cubs - thanks for tip
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Wonderful work. Another suggestion if you are texturing the surface. Use strands of cotton wool mixed with your surface texture to make foam. An example is here: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L6IxfxyFiJOoHbvq46EA0uwxHz0PoRb-gimMbIn_OXZjTPh7zGx9fU4WIrXqJ5s0JxfpMpWiBjcNp-AgXntUj6BQeKIe1PNrMdV87kIRXASZXlTKFAw_1qZRnQDM878_SxeRriIwDZA/s1600/IMG_0923.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L6IxfxyFiJOoHbvq46EA0uwxHz0PoRb-gimMbIn_OXZjTPh7zGx9fU4WIrXqJ5s0JxfpMpWiBjcNp-AgXntUj6BQeKIe1PNrMdV87kIRXASZXlTKFAw_1qZRnQDM878_SxeRriIwDZA/s1600/IMG_0923.jpg)
This was an unfinished piece so it looks a tad lumpy. It will help add some color texture without much effort. Might be worth a test on an off cut
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Indeed that would work well for a fast flowing river / rapids for sure…..but my river is much slower running I think.
I will however make a spare piece of test river to try out ripple effects … good idea.
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Test out the brownish streaks and the glitter on your test piece. And hope you like the effect.
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Truth be told, I’m not worried about the brown streaks…..the gloss varnish picks up reflections nicely adding a plethora of colour into the water as you can see in this reflection. I will try out ripples however.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_2024.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_2042.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I have started on the next few plates….
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Oh, that looks really convincing, much better then the comercially avalable rivers.
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Just wow. You don't need anything else.
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Great job David.
I’ll get me trunks lol :o
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looks fantastic, reconsidering my river choices now...
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Ta guys.
So the next batch is cut and primed. I can also confirm I was right in my thinking…my reeds are from Woodland Scenics as I thought.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_2031.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
They include a narrower piece that will allow a range of bridges to span it.
I have also been inspired by this pic I saw on the Test of Honor Facebook forum
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_2027.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
So I have started a small crossing…..a bit to do yet.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_2032.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Also been busy adding reeds to more sections. I wanted this one to look fairly dense giving me a small usable island….
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_2043.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Nice work.
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Oh, that looks really convincing, much better then the comercially avalable rivers.
The real benefit of this simple scheme, is that I can rapidly add other sections as and when I need them. The river will be equally usable in England as it is the jungles of south east Asia and Africa. I may make future sections with beached dugout canoes, half sunken boat, drowned wrecked tank, rickety wooden bridges, wooden moorings etc…..depending on the games I want to play just like the stepping stone bridge I’m doing for Test of Honor.
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Wonderful work; the green colour is leagues better than the ubiquitous blue. I have been thinking of doing an olive brown myself, but seeing the green you used, I might opt for that now instead :)
And I'm glad to see I'm not the only one using Britains Trees on my table; they are just perfect for wargaming use, aren't they?
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They are
My favourites despite their inability to stick together! I found a half solution (shoe glue) but isn’t perfect! Cheers
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Poundland stocks '151 Fantastic Elastic glue'. It might work David.
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Anything is worth a try…hard to believe they are so damned difficult to stick! 😉
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Inspiring thread: the river looks fantastic.
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Cheers fella.
So second layer of varnish gone on this second batch this evening, should be able to add the greenery tomorrow night to finish them off.
Meanwhile, if any kind soul happens to have a small handful of these plastic ducks going spare from the warlord farm animal sprues, please contact me for swaps etc….i could do with a few more. Many thanks.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_2047_pcii1xNwTRQY3CuyJwLhSF.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Like the stepping stone bridge - though curved, even in so short a span, would have looked a bit better. Love the ducks. Sorry, don't have any to send your way. Though I still wonder if you ever made use of those extra legs I sent you some years back - about the time you were doing that lovely Speakeasy band?
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I think they were used to make porters no? As for stones…problem was simple…I had to cut the stones to a size that a figure base could stand readily on. So the number of stones was the deciding factor…a curve wouldn’t have worked. My river simply isn’t wide enough for that to have worked. Anyway, I’m happy with it cheers.
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David, the stepping stones are a great idea, usable from the dawn of time,
and you have done a great job with the whole 'easy' ( lol) River project.
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absolutely ridiculously good job
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Muchas grassyarse fellas!
Ok the second batch is done so I have 8feet of river so far. Just waiting on tiny detailing (spiky tufts to arrive) but good enough right now.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_2048.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_2049.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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That's magnificent David! A very cinematic looking scene.
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Thank you fella, appreciate it!
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You've inspired me to dig out the 'Amazon' board I made for an aborted build something comp some years back. Curious to see how the varnish has held up before repurposing it. I'm convinced that the marine varnish method is now the best way forward for things like (wet) paddy fields.
I've discovered that our biggest office supplies chain here sells A2 sized 2mm black plastic sheets at a reasonable price, certainly much cheaper than Evergreen sheets. Been using them as the backing for roads so far and keen to apply your river technique to them. Probably something similar back in the old dart.
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Very effective, love it!
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very very nice indeed :-* :-*
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Really impressive :-* :-* :-*
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I like the bridge but the ducks and the hippos in the river are spot on.
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That is one beautiful river.
T
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Thanks guys….please do have a go….nice and easy!