Opinions on board texturing and flocking?

[Charlie_]

I've been doing up a few small 'test boards' to try out different texturing and flocks.

One uses a mix of different flocks, including some darker patches underneath the top lighter layer. The other uses a simple uniform green flock.

Which do you think looks best?



I want to find one that the basing technique of my models looks best on. Here are the two of them with a finished unit...





The second one has the advantage that it is more 'level', less bumpy, which I consider a plus point when placing models and terrain on it. But perhaps it's irrelevant?
I'm thinking the second one could be darkened by a wash over it all.
The first one is more interesting, but a bit too bright and colourful for the more drab basing I use, but I don't think this picture shows that so well.

Does anyone have any thoughts on flocking boards so that they will be practical for placing other terrain and models on, yet look good?

I am holding off finishing any terrain until I have decided how the board will be flocked.

[FifteensAway]

Like the board on the left much better - the right only works for a week or two in spring time.

Personally, I've sworn off boards and use painted canvas as my gaming base (I used artist canvas but a painting tarp can be used as well and cost much less - just have to live with grommets on the edge, generally).  I paint with the cheapest brands of acrylic house paint I can find.  I use eight layered colors but I'm sure fewer colors would work.  Why eight colors?  Well, sometimes I want brownish effects with a little green on top and sometimes I want the green on top to be more prominent - and I just settle for a mix of both throughout. 

I have an 18' + canvas and can pull it to different areas for a 12' gaming surface.  I use latex roads (building myself) and latex rivers which, eventually will have "base matching" edges.  And I base my figures to match the terrain rather than the other way around (though using fewer colors but getting close enough to work).  I have woodlands and forests on terrain matching bases, my 'wedding cake' but highly playable hills have the same coloring.  It is what I refer to as my "Unified Field Terrain"  - all of it designed to work together.  And for 'flavor' I make special pieces to adjust - like more sand for more desert, browner hills, etc.

Yes, it is a lot of work but goes quickly and the end result well worth it to me.

[OSHIROmodels]

The one on the left works best and looks most natural 

cheers

James

[FramFramson]

Another vote for the Left. Must be a buncha reds here.

[Mr.J]

Left again.

[traveller]

Both look really good but if I need to choose I go with the left 

[Treebeard]

Left without any hesitation

[Hupp n at em]

Left! 

[nic-e]

I'd say the one on the left, The variety of colours makes it look like a more natural ground rather than a well seeded lawn

[Captain Blood]

L

[Marine0846]

Looks like the left is winning.
So... to be different... I pick, Left.
Just funnin' but do like the left the best.

[Charlie_]

Well it looks like we have a winner then!

[fastolfrus]

Left.

But if you're throwing away the one on the right, could I bags it for our school club?

Just on the offchance you drive by Scarborough some time.

[Stavros Banjo]

Definitely the board that isn't the one on the right 

The left one looks far more realistic, the other looks a little too much like man-made astro turf.