Flexible rough terrain - tutorial

[Peithetairos]

You will be all familiar with the famous caulking method to make beautiful flexible wargaming mats. However, this technique does not only come in handy to cover an entire gaming table, but can also be used for scatter terrain, such as rough terrain, roads, villages and even hills. It can also be used to create a very versatile photography mat.

In this first installment I focus on making some flexible rough terrain featuring some rocky outcrops, brush and small bushes. I took my inspiration for this piece from ekimdj, who not only has a very nice blog, but also wrote a tutorial for flexible desert terrain on the Sweetwater-forum, so if you are able to read German check it out (it is pretty picture heavy, so you can follow it easily in any case).

ekimdj's Tutorial for flexibel desert terrain

This tutorial will also come in handy if you want to learn how to create basic groundwork, flexible or not. This technique can be applied to a small base or an entire terrain board.

Per usual I will give an overview of the materials you need, followed by detailed step-by-step instructions and finally some ‘action' shots showing off the piece's flexibility.

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Some pictures of the final piece that showcase its flexibility:







Naturally a scenic shot is in order, too:



I need to thank ekimdj again for the inspiration. I will surely make more pieces and will experiment how far this technique can go.

[FramFramson]

Excellent results as always!

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

Great tutorial - Thank-you

[Peithetairos]

Thank you for your comments. Glad you like the tutorial.

[tomogui]

Yes, this is a great concept for 'scatter terrain' or stands of vegetation, etc. Inspirational, even. Thanks for sharing.

[Peithetairos]

No problem, you are welcome. I think it also works well for rivers and lakes, you only need to use translucent caulking.

[Atheling]

Brilliant technique.... I have to admit that I wasn't sold on the idea of large making surfaces using this technique but the smaller pieces work really well and would ought to fit seamlessly on a basic textured board provided that they were both painted the same colours and contained the same grains of sand etc.

How well would it work with a larger grain of sand?

Darrell.

[vcina]

What a great tutorial!!  Thanks for sharing it.

[Hupp n at em]

Wow, this would be awesome to use for rubble or snowdrifts for Frostgrave...I might try it out for that.

[Atheling]

As I said before I'm definitely going to have a go at this technique and now that I'm moved, as soon as I'm sorted, I'll be giving it a go- thank you so much for posting this.

Darrell.

[dampfpanzerwagon]

Great idea and very useful.

Thank you for posting the link/tutorial.

Tony

[Ssendam]

Do you get any 'curl-up' at the edges?

[Peithetairos]

Hi,

after some long term tests I did get soem curl on the edges. I should have left it longer ont he plastic sheet or glue the sides down using double sided tape while drying. Another idea would be to use metal mesh on the edges only (or for the whole piece) so that you can shape it slightly and it will keep its shape.