Jungle Terrain

[Ray Rivers]

So... after getting myself partially unburied from the work I let pile up during the LPL, I have turned to my next project and that is to put together at least 3 large jungle terrain pieces.

Inspired by "Dr Mathias's Arboreal Extravaganza" I have decided to try to replicate his work (more or less...  ) on the trees I will be making for my jungle.

Warning: If things turn to Dog Poo, this thread could end abruptly. 

So without further ado... let's take a look at a photo. 



The base is some sort of acrylic material I have hidden around and is 3mm thick. Dowel rods were used for the tree trunks. The large branches come from "lolly" sticks which are a verrry hard cardboard. Holes were drilled in the ends of both the dowel rods and "branches." More on this when the time comes, if I make it that far.  The roots were made with a foam core base and then rolled up paper napkins (sturdy paper) glue on top. Abrupt edges were smoothed out with milliput.

I decided to also break up the base a bit, and inspired by the good Dr. Mathias I decided to try to do this with napkins and PVA glue.

The next step will be appling toilet paper to the trees and the broken ground. Dr. M. made it sound easy... we shall see... 

[Ray Rivers]

Looks pretty bad... eh?

Undeterred I got me a roll of toilet paper, water and PVA glue and started gluing.

At first, I hadn't a clue as to how to put on the paper, and tried to use nicely cut pieces, but as I got the hang of it I just grabbed big uneven wads and plastered away.

It was actually quite fun! 

Here is the result and where I am now with the project:



Not quite up to Dr. M's standard, but good enough to keep me motivated.

I'll be adding plants and veins next. Hopefully soon.

Cheers!

[Belisarius]

I,ll be watching to see how you progress - keep at it.

[Engel]

Looking good, keep em comming. 

[Dr Mathias]

Looks perfect so far, they're not what I'd call pretty until the end

I like the irregular edging, certainly an improvement over my rigidly circular bases.

[abu iskander]

Looking good. You might want to consider using a glue gun to add to the tree structure. I think there is an example here on LPL somewhere. You can quickly achieve some really convincing root/vine effects with a good bead of glue.

[Malamute]

Looking really good so far Ray.

[Ray Rivers]

Looking good, eh? 

Got a little more done last night.



I added veins to the trees. I used thread from a mop for this.    But they seem to look ok.

Then I started adding in, what will be lots of vegetation. At this point I broke my scalpel, spent a half an hour searching for the tip on the carpet for fear I'd do someone harm and decided to call it quits.

I don't own a hot glue gun, and other various cool things for building. I'm your basic crap builder so we'll see how this all turns out in the end.

Probably badly... 

 

[Mahwell skel]

Wow the trees look really good and love the mop vines hanging down.

I always have the lost bits on the floor problem. Anything that falls past the table dissappears into the viod and no matter how much I look or kneel with my head on the carpet those things are gone. Eyesight fine for modelling closre to my face not fine for anything else it seems.

[manic _miner]

 Looking good to me so far.Nice vines too.

[OSHIROmodels]

Don't put yourself down Ray, they look great so far and I'm sure they will only improve 

cheers

James

[Ray Rivers]

James... some of us are just building challenged. 

Today's labor started right off with me breaking my hobby scissors while cutting open a new tube of super glue. 

Nevertheless, here is the result... about 25 plants or so added to the base:



Notice the "Alien" plant in the center... 

The next part is what I fear the most... adding the foliage to the trees. I plan to use fake flower leaves so this is going to be interesting so see how it comes out. (You wouldn't believe how many fake flowers we have in our house... amazing.)

I'll mock it all up first and if it looks okay, I'll return to the base add a couple more odds and ends, sand and start painting.

If I don't return... this project has gone in the garbage! 

Off I go...

[Henrix]

If I don't return... this project has gone in the garbage! 

That would be a pity, as it's looking very nice. I don't know what you could do to ruin it beyond repair. Set fire to it?

[Ray Rivers]

Set fire to it?

That's always an option... 

[Captain Blood]

I think those trees are definitely looking good!
Kind of mangrove-like...

I'm never too sure about too many plastic aquarium plants, I must admit, but they usually work okay once everything is blended it.

By the way, I love the fact that you've put 'yourself' in the photos Ray 
I always think of that explorer miniature as you now, thanks to your avatar.
I shall be most disappointed to discover that you don't really come with a pith helmet and a huge bushy beard