Welcome to the Jungle...Rob_Bresnen's Jungle Build (or Re-build)

[Rob_bresnen]

Here are some pictures of my first bases. Lots more to be made yet before I am done. I still have a big box full of plastic plants to go yet.

Only the biggest base shows any signs of warping, and this is minimal. I think that I will avoid making massive bases. About 4-5 inches or smaller seems to be the way to go. it is always possible to clump them together to represent a larger base of terrain.









Things I have learned so far...

• keep bases from being too big to reduce warping

• This terrain is impassable to figures due to the density of the plants. Building in a few paths and clearings might be fun, look cool and allow figures to move through the terrain rather than having to go around it.

• Mixed herbs (Which I bought a big bag of for £1 at Tigre) makes great leaf titter if you give it a coat of watered down PVA afterwards.

• To texture the bases I now use paper mache mixed with PVA and a few drops of water. the result is nice and sticky. While it is still wet I add a layer of sand, herbs, grit etc. This sticks well and means I don't have to do this later, saving time and preventing more warping. It might take a bit longer for the mache to dry (about 24 houses seems to do it) but that is OK.

[Hupp n at em]

Those are great results! 

[Codsticker]

I agree- those look great.

[Vagabond]

A good mixture of foliage and the tree at an angle is a nice touch, it's looking very good.

Do you plan on trying to reduce the shine on the plastic or are you happy with how it looks in real life.

[pocoloco]

Great looking terrain Rob! I'll be taking notes

One good source for several different looking plastic plants is IKEA, big ones and quite cheap.

[Rob_bresnen]

Thanks for the feedback guys. It's very much appreciated and helps me keep motivated.

A good mixture of foliage and the tree at an angle is a nice touch, it's looking very good.

Do you plan on trying to reduce the shine on the plastic or are you happy with how it looks in real life.

To be honest they don't look anywhere near as garish and shiny in real life. I was thinking of a coat of matt varnish but I am not sure it is worth it.

[Hupp n at em]

You can always just claim that they're shiny because it just rained.  The vegetation doesn't grow that thickly from lack of rain, after all. 

[Rob_bresnen]

Good point.

[Ockman]

As an aside; I have those exact Tigre soap dishes (I have 3, bought in Antwerp), which are really useful. Obviously the foliage is great for terrain, but the trays themselves are great for holding bits for project.

Those dishes are also great when you are building 15mm terrain. Makes excellent prefab bases!

DSC_0281 by Oscar Falk, on Flickr

DSC_0284 by Oscar Falk, on Flickr

[Rob_bresnen]

I was thinking of doing the very same with mine. But then it got chucked out with the recycling. Oh well, just gives me an excuse to buy some more  

Your  buildings look great by the way.

[Ockman]

Thanks, Rob! Sorry if I highjacked your thread.

[FifteensAway]

I vote for the matte finish - and in future consider painting your palm trunks.  Yes, looks good but a little more 'prep' work and that matte finish are very worth the end result.  Though I like the 'it just rained' excuse. 

If you can find them in your zone of the world, floral decorating spray paint can be a great source - always seems to go on more as a mist than an even coat which is exactly what is needed.  Beware of high pigment paints for this project, though - I wouldn't dare use Montana brand paints (I do use them, just not for this).

Looks very good, however.  Though, again, your nice basing does conflict with the shiny plastic - another argument for the matte.

[Rob_bresnen]

I decided that the first batch of tree clumps would have to act as impassable terrain as it was impossible to get the figures onto the bases as the density of the trees was just too thick. This batch I have tried to include a few little paths through them, to allow figure to be set up in the jungle if the game warrants it. The rocks are resin and I think were from TSS.

I also added a few puddles to keep the bases interesting (it is a rain forest after all). these were made with a few coats of GW 'ardcoat varnish.

[Roo]

Very nice Rob.

Roo

[Andym]

I’m loving these! There’s soo much variation like the real thing!