Tabletops with dramatic elevation

[warburton]

Very nice work.

Eilif, he is using something called a "sled guide" - see page 2.

[eilif]

Sorry,  not the strait edges, rather for cutting the slopes and paths.  I think I see some kind of yellow rasp in the picture, but I'm not sure what it is or if there are any other tools involved.

[cacofold]

The rough forms of the hills and cliffs were cut with the hot knife and sled guide posted a few pages back. It makes the distinctive wavy cut as the knife vibrates slightly.

The tops of the cliffs were cut with a 99 cent chef's knife. Normally foam is cut with a utility knife, but I find for these cuts you need the length of a chef's knife. I also bought a 99 cent paring knife. They'll only last for a board or two but at a buck each it's cheap to replace em, certainly cheaper than ruining a quality knife. Anyways, these cuts are pretty important because they blend the flat foam surface with the plaster rocks.

The yellow handled tool is this. http://t.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-Surform-Shaver-21-115/100654913 basically a cheese grater with a handle.
It was used for the roads and the oasis. It definitely leaves a distinct texture in the cut, but when smoothed over with drywall, it looks kinda like road ruts. It's great for hacking through foam.

[eilif]

Thanks, That's just what I wanted to know.

[cacofold]

Quick progress update. Spent this afternoon working on the board along with the eventual owner and his wife. Finished drybrushing the sand. Did the first two layers on the rocks with one to go. Did the first layer of green grass. The browner and yellower grass coming next will tone down the green grass areas and bushes.  The mine entrances need to be drybrushed. The oasis is painted but not yet had water effects poured on. I especially like the cow skeleton. The shrubs will be sprayed bone color to represent dried twigs. They'll be twisted to be 3d, and planted deep to resemble shrubs. The bases are temporary to figure out placement and light cover.



Found an old Robotech toy, makes me think of this old video game soundtrack:

[warburton]

Nice

[phreedh]

Mr Lopez is going to have fine looking board!  Bloody nice work!

[cacofold]

In the home stretch now. Hoping to tackle most of it during evenings this week.
Punch list:
Drybrush mine entrances.
Plant small "fallen boulders" at base of rock cliffs.
Finish drybrushing rocks.
Spread brown and yellow grass flock.
Plant long grass, possible static grass.
Paint all the scrub brush armatures bone, drybrush white, plant and glue in foam.
Cover whole board in polycrylic
Start pouring realistic water.

Whew! Might take another week!
Broke out the good camera and tripod and took a photo longways.

[Eric the Shed]

looking grand...if my escarpments can come out this well ill be happy

[Mason]

This is gonna be really good.