Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: Dewbakuk on July 16, 2018, 01:10:21 PM
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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 :P
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 :D
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 :D
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718000051-34296355.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718000052-342971611.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718000053-34298214.jpeg)
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:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718000054-342991561.jpeg)
And then start infilling the gaps:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718000056-34300684.jpeg)
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.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718000247-34301895.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718000248-343021691.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718000250-343032309.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718000251-343041816.jpeg)
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.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718000253-343052243.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718000355-343061462.jpeg)
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.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718000357-343071188.jpeg)
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.
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curious to see how this progresses - it's going to be a beast o_o
I haven't tried it on foam, but modge podge is worth a look. amazon link (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mod-Podge-Waterbase-Sealer-Finish/dp/B00178QQJ8/ref=sr_1_1)
I've used it on cardboard and it worked a treat, so worth considering for foam
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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
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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 :)
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Hooray! :D
Looking good so far. Did you think about using a hot glue gun to stick the foam on?
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curious to see how this progresses - it's going to be a beast o_o
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! :D
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.
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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?
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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 ;D
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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.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718205618-34308433.jpeg)
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.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718205620-343092293.jpeg)
Put some of the Necro walkways on with containers to check it... Looks like a mess, so won't be doing it this way lol lol lol
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718205621-34310575.jpeg)
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Build build build lol
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Splendid, good to see you back at it. :)
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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.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-160718224637-343112143.jpeg)
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I suppose drying them on the bbq is one idea o_o
lol
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I suppose drying them on the bbq is one idea o_o
lol
That would have been easier than finding a rubbish cake rack and a bucket lol
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lol
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Ooooh! Looking forward to this!
For the “Frocks” (foam-rocks) we just used this stuff, neat. No extra PVA. WE used an old brush to press it into the sponge.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a605/andymac2105/7EB1F1E0-BF92-437A-BC35-F2E9D217BFF9_zpsufmskx1h.jpg~original) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/andymac2105/media/7EB1F1E0-BF92-437A-BC35-F2E9D217BFF9_zpsufmskx1h.jpg.html)
As well as the Aquanauts I used it to make CD’s S.H.I.V.A. board. This was the biggest piece...
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a605/andymac2105/788E0DE6-66B3-4843-A56A-07DE20E54E54_zpsejtnhbsr.jpg~original) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/andymac2105/media/788E0DE6-66B3-4843-A56A-07DE20E54E54_zpsejtnhbsr.jpg.html)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a605/andymac2105/91954104-CB8E-4B24-94E4-E9F7AFB604B8_zpss1zwuaaa.jpg~original) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/andymac2105/media/91954104-CB8E-4B24-94E4-E9F7AFB604B8_zpss1zwuaaa.jpg.html)
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Cheers Andy, I’d forgotten about that lovely Shiva board. Happy with the rigidity of the finishing skin then? Looks like the ‘topcoat’ method is fine if so.
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It’s probably just the same stuff, but different name, mate. Hopefully it doesn’t take it all too long to dry! This warm weather should help!
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The weather is a large part of the reason I’ve kicked this into gear. Try and get a load done while I can just leave it outside :)
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Maybe this can help you: https://www.noch.com/en/product-categories/model-landscaping/rocks-rock-walls.html
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Thanks Dirk but I don’t want to buy products, I is making stuff!
B&Q and Wicks don’t seem to sell the finishing skim, so I bought this:
Gah stupid forums and their inability to upload photo’s directly... I’ll change this text into a picture in a minute.
https://www.diy.com/departments/diall-fine-finish-ready-mixed-smoothover-finishing-plaster-15kg/1849575_BQ.prd/gallery
Seems like it’d be the own brand version. Will do another test piece later.
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Gah stupid forums and their inability to upload photo’s directly.
Gah lazy moderators and their inability/unwillingness to follow due process ;D
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I used some ingrain wallpaper like color from a construction shop. Mixed it with a Little pva and it work well. Got dry in four to six hours without a barbecue set.
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Gah lazy moderators and their inability/unwillingness to follow due process ;D
I’m not a moderator so :P
Weirdly the image just breaks whenever I try and put it in with the image tabs so it can just stay as a link instead.
Dirk, was that over upholstery foam? Any pics?
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The link just 404s.
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(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a605/andymac2105/Mobile%20Uploads/9A246041-20A2-4A6D-B54C-D3B4F5F2069C_zps99zebbwu.jpg~original) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/andymac2105/media/Mobile%20Uploads/9A246041-20A2-4A6D-B54C-D3B4F5F2069C_zps99zebbwu.jpg.html)
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Dirk, was that over upholstery foam? Any pics?
Nope, only hard foam. Upholstery foam is too soft, i think. This colour and PVA-Mix only works on hard stuff, I'm afraid. For this material I would use cement/gipsum painted with pva-color-mix. It will be harder with more weight, but after a while the soft foam changes its condition.
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Well the results are in. The 'top coat' method wins hands down!
The PVA soak has hardened it up but the open cell texture of the foam remains and it's not especially hard.
The Plaster mix has actually made the foam fragile and it cracks quite easily. Also, the plaster has pooled in places, probably from evaporation and obscures some of the shape.
The surface smoother top coat however works well. It's hard but the internal area remains soft so there is some give to it so no easy cracking. I'm rather impressed actually.
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I know you’ve done it now but one way I’ve hardened-off soft foam is to paint it with white glue then sprinkle on sieved sharp sand.
Nice project btw :D
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Thanks Steve.
Right, so continuing on, I’ve given the top coat test a second layer and found that by brushing it on sideways I can get a fine strata effect. It should be possible to exaggerate this if I want after the layer has dried but as these are water based rocks, I don’t really want strong lines as they’d get worn down.
Couple more pics to show the effect.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-200718211824-343511816.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-200718211825-343591989.jpeg)
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They’ve turned out well. You do need to get a better drying rack than the bbq ;D
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They’ve turned out well. You do need to get a better drying rack than the bbq ;D
Wait until I have four of them set up :)
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Sausage fest! lol
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This method is less drippy too so I don’t even have to buy more buckets ;)
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lol lol
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After the irregular weather shifts and family commitments of the last couple of weeks, I managed to finally get the paint test done on the rock. After painting it looks like...... a rock! We have a succesful test, although I now want to have a play with gloss varnish and flock to see if I can get a realistic wet and algae like finish to the lower areas.
To paint them I used the washing/leopard spot technique also generally employed by railroad builders, I really like the finish although it's a little disconcerting early on as you can see in the first couple of pics below. The plaster finish softened too while it was wet but thankfully hardened back up as it dried.
Initial colour washing.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-050818101513-34687407.jpeg)
Grey/black washes start to layer up.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-050818101514-34694348.jpeg)
The black got a little strong so I added a grey layer again after this to soften it a little.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-050818101516-346951082.jpeg)
Once dry, place with something stone to see how it compares...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-050818101517-346962374.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/34/1667-050818101518-346972232.jpeg)
Now to get the rest done.
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That'll do nicely although for the rest try and avoid the brush stokes.
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The brush strokes are deliberate...
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Oh...
lol