Creating the look of the American Southwest on the table

[CptJake]

I spent time at Ft Huachuca and Ft Bliss.   Unfortunately the time in Arizona was before digital cameras.   I may be able to dig up some pictures from around Ft Bliss and the White Sands area.

[Cacique Caribe]

At some point between Junction and Abilene (Texas), the ground suddenly turns from a limestone color into a reddish Mars-like dirt, similar to the shade seen here:



Well, I never tire of seeing the drastic transformation.

So, when I'm once again physically able to work on terrain, those are exactly the colors I plan to use on my yet-unpainted cork rock formations.  Sorry for the poor photo quality:

[Elbows]

Very cool, where are you getting cork board that thick?  Looks excellent for wargaming tiered hills, etc.

[Cacique Caribe]

Those are really 15mm figures, and I was planning to use those cork formations for both a Mars table and a Post Apocalyptic table (set in the Southwest).

The cork is from Hobby Lobby or a similar craft store.  I think I used 8 square tiles of it (12" x 12") which cost me around $20 total (plus a tube of craft "Liquid Nails" glue and a big bottle of PVA white glue). The boards are around 3/8" to 1/2" or so in thickness and sold almost everywhere that craft and office supplies are sold:

http://www.poppopofficemachines.com/board-dudes-12-x-12-dark-cork-tiles-4-pack-82va-4-.html?gclid=CLvOoczmns8CFVCVfgodAF0DbA

[Elbows]

Ah, okay.  I've got some tiles myself but they're much thinner.  I shall investigate these!

[Cacique Caribe]

More on my cork formations here:

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=172581
https://flickr.com/photos/9593487@N07/sets/72157620549015505
https://flickr.com/photos/9593487@N07/sets/72157622409147047

1) Break the tiles apart with your hands and position them. For 28mm figures make each "step" section a couple of layers thick and stagger them;
2) Use the small projects/foamboard formula "Liquid Nails"*** to stick them together;
3) Even though that adhesive produces little to no distortion from shrinkage, I still used a stack of heavy books to make sure that there was no warping.  Let set overnight;
4) You then go on to carve the sides with an X-acto knife.  You are mainly using the back side of the blade for this step, to chip away and create vertical grooves and cracks; and
5) Brush on several layers of white PVA glue to seal in and strengthen the cork formation

Now they are ready to spray or brush paint.

That's basically it.  I think the carving step was the most fun (and messiest )

Dan
*** I used a much smaller tube of it than the one pictured here:
http://www.liquidnails.com/products/wall-adhesive-LN604

[oabee]

Can't wait to see these rock formations painted up!

[FifteensAway]

oabee,

If you are not already familiar, you must google up Sedona, Arizona to add to your inspiration.  You might even try google map and then zoom in to see what you can see.  While the world is big and there is much of it I haven't seen, Arizona and New Mexico are an extraordinary display of technicolor terrain.  There can't be many places to rival it.



Hope the above image comes through.  If it does, allow me to assure you that is not a painting.  I've seen skies like that in that region.  Of course, when it starts to storm, best to be on high ground and indoors.  Storms really rock and roll there.

[Cacique Caribe]

Can't wait to see these rock formations painted up!

Alas. I still have one, possibly two more back surgeries to go through before I'm allowed to touch any of those projects again.

Dan

[warrenpeace]

I recommend liking the Facebook page called: "The American Southwest" - lots of awesome photos there.