Just thought I'd share what I worked on for about a day this weekend - my bamboo forest! This thought was started when Necra-Chi spoke to me about the game a couple of weeks ago. The forest itself is made from bamboo bought from a variety store for $4 (for a lot of it) with green stuff added and sculpted to make the sections. I then drilled into the bamboo and pinned florist wire into the holes. Over the course of the week, I'll be painting these green (since bamboo is evergreen until it dies) and adding foliage. I was thinking of using some ivy leaves as they closely resemble bamboo leaves, but we'll see how we go. On with the pictures:
EDIT: I've removed all the WIP pictures and placed all the finished pieces in this first post. I will continue to update this thread, but all pictures eventually will be moved to this post for ease of reference.
Still to be completed:
Wooden bridge (started 19 June 2011)
Waterfall
6 River sections
2 River sections with stepping stones
Temple
Pagoda
2 Stone gardens
So far completed:
6 Bamboo stands
6 Deciduous tree stands
6 Dirt road sections
6 Stepping stone sections
6 Hills of varying sizes and heights
Very clever. I was just going to use my new pine trees. They have pine trees in Japan right?
"He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still"
They're pretty nice so they are, might look for some bamboo so I might, as will be needing some japanese style terrain.
And yes they do indeed have pine trees in Japan, similar to Scots pine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Red_Pine
Though if you wanted some good japanese style trees, I'd look out cherry trees, as they're all over the place.
"The only true test of courage is the last one."
_________________________________________________________________
G3 - Glasgow Games Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/g3gamers/
Great work
"To a real warrior, power perceived may be power achieved."
Excellent job. What do you plan to use for leaves? For some realism, consider painting one or two that dead bamboo brown. In a natural stand of bamboo, chances are there would be some deaths.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
My Photobucket Page = http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj76/grazclan2/
Thanks to you all for your comments. Unfortunately, due to insomnia, I'm working on them again at 3am on a Monday morning before work.
@Mecha Ace & Master T: Thank you. I'm doing another 6 stands of deciduous trees while these dry. Wait until you see these as I'm trying to keep to an summer/autumn theme for the Bushido board.
@dgraz: I've got some hair plait, scatter and ivy leaves that I'll be putting together for the foliage. This is how I now do my trees that I make. It's very true that there would be a dead bamboo in such a large stand of trees, but I'm thinking of going hyper-realistic on these and doing them all green/light green. Think Crouching Tiger-Hidden Dragon. http://www.naturewalls.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/bamboo_forest_wallpaper.jpg
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
Might I suggest looking at the japanese cedar, relative of the sequoia. Referenced in 'inyagi's plight'.
Great bamboo, looking forward to seeing the foliage :-)
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Sounds cool. Hair plait? Can't wait to see.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
My Photobucket Page = http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj76/grazclan2/
@xoddsx: I'm looking at doing a couple of large pines to flank the pagoda. The japanese cedar will fit perfectly for the large ragged connifer look that I tend to think of with pines.
@dgraz: Hair plait. It's a synthetic, plaited fibre that you pick apart and rub or shape into balls. Then you spray with 50/50 PVA/water or spray adhesive and sprinkle with scatter. This gives you a perfect shrub or canopy for a tree. If you go for the tree, you have to stick it on the armatures and trim a bit to give it some better shape. You'll see what I mean once I get stuck into them this week.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
Ok, so I managed to get some work done to some of them. However, I'm now in two minds about having the canopy on the bamboo. It works great to get the shading and adds some extra detail, but it looses some of it's bamboo-iness (IMO) when I do. So, the update is:
I've got some shots painted with no canopy and another shot with the canopy. I'm not going to do any more until I get some clear feedback. Oh, and the last shot is some more trees that I'm working on while I wait for paint and glue to dry.
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http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
Tried the same thing when I made the studios bamboo and felt it looked much better without the canopy.
Like the way these are shaping up, either way looks cool but my vote is no canopy.
I tried to add various thickness to our bamboo to break it up a little and added some thin ones(bristles of a broom) to the base.
Looking forward to seeing these complete I think cool pieces of terrain enhance any table top game.
Personally I love the canopy. Looks more realistic. If you want it without the canopy, then I'd go with the dead bamboo. I just can't see the nice green alive bamboo with no leaves.
Using the varied sizes like Gordon says would really be great too.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
My Photobucket Page = http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj76/grazclan2/
Hmm I think I'd agree that a canopy would be good, but to me that seems a bit clumped up for bamboo style leaves.
Liking the start on the other trees, what are they going to be?
"The only true test of courage is the last one."
_________________________________________________________________
G3 - Glasgow Games Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/g3gamers/
but to me that seems a bit clumped up for bamboo style leaves.
This is what I was seeing as well, but couldn't put my finger on it. I'll flatten the canopy out tonight and see if it makes a difference.
@Gordon and dgraz: I'll also grab some thinner strands and paint them up over the weekend.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
bamboo skewers would make a nice middle size between the bamboo you have and the broom strands.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
My Photobucket Page = http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj76/grazclan2/
I think it might look better and less clumped if the cannopy was actually elongated upwards. I'm not sure if one is meant to be able to see through a bamboo canopy. Another thing I was thinking was if there was some "bend" to the trunks, if that's possible. Bamboo stands are always bending under their own weight in my experience, even when it isn't very windy.
"He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still"
Okay, after some internal debating, asking you guys and some other sources, I've decided to go with the canopy after all. What really made my mind up was flattening out everything, including the limbs which made it more like layers or tiers. I've done up some more canopy which should do another 2 tonight and hopefully the remaining 3 tomorrow night. I'm not going to place any more bamboo on these bases, but I'll make some more stands over the weekend with the varying thicknesses to place in between. These will also benefit from the optical illusion of the cover without actually having any on the stand.
@Mecha Ace: I forgot that I didn't answer you about the other stands of trees at the end. They're going to be deciduous trees (reds and yellows) which will be heavily manicured and will probably sit around a temple/shrine area or possibly a stone garden. It's not quite set as yet, but they can move around without a problem.
As it is, I've made up a few hills after a couple of false starts with the hot wire cutter. I'm also going to make a couple of stones to see how they turn out.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
I saw the improved bamboo today and they look fantastic. Autumn trees need a little more work. I hope Hangman's posts them up soon.
"He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still"
Lol, now I know how you feel when we talk about unreleased stuff!
Don't keep us waiting HN :-)
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Yeah I'm quite intrigued by the newly flattened bamboo trees.
And also how did you make those other trees by the way?
"The only true test of courage is the last one."
_________________________________________________________________
G3 - Glasgow Games Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/g3gamers/
Heh. I'll finish off the 6th stand tomorrow and post pics up once they're all done. Still working on the smaller stands of trees and working out how to "fix" them so they look more natural.
@Mecha Ace: The armatures are florist wire wrapped in masking tape. Since the pictures above, I've placed some trunk mix over the stands and painted them a lighter brown than what the mix comes out as. I'm doing the foliage now and trying to get that realistic.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
So as promised, I've finished the bamboo and the small stands of trees. I've ben working on them for about 10 hours today swapping between projects when glue was drying. I'm fairly happy with the way they turned out but I'm noticing some some bald patches in places. I'm not too worried as it looks fairly natural. The smaller trees were a cinch once I figured out that I had to "fluff" (heh. Sounds dirty) the product a bit and place a bit extra on top to give it some shape. I also sprinkled some of the cover to show that not all was going to fall just yet. My only regret is that I couldn't find some red flock to sprinkle over as the orange doesn't quite give me the effect that I need. Once I find some, I'll add it on.
The last bonus picture is one of my next projects, the other being some roads and a bridge.
Pretty soon I'll be getting rid of the WIP shots and only having the completed ones in the first post to make it easier on the bandwidth.
Enough blathering; on with the pics!
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http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
Really like the canopied bamboo now i see it finished, great work.
"To a real warrior, power perceived may be power achieved."
Thanks, Master T. The canopy really feels like there is bulk to the forest but without taking up too much table real estate.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
They're pretty nice, a lot better now that the canopy has been flattened out so they are.
And I'm liking the other trees as well. Where did you get trunk mix by the way, is it something you can buy or is it something you've made yourself? I've never really done much terrain building but I'm thinking of starting.
Really like the fall effects on the bases as well by the way.
"The only true test of courage is the last one."
_________________________________________________________________
G3 - Glasgow Games Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/g3gamers/
Thanks Mecha Ace. The bark mix is called Treesy Peasy Bark made by Treemendous. It's mixed with PVA and water and brushed on. The same effect can be used with sand, glue and paint but I like this mix.
All of my parts and components can be sourced either from a miniature/hobby store or generally around (ebay, brick and mortar stores, etc). I use florist wire as it tends to bend and twist easier than other wire, but you can use small gague wire from the hardware store in addition to Masking tape in packs of 6 and filler (as in the plaster filler). Hot wire cutters are a bit harder to find and more pricey, but I picked up a Proxxon benchtop one and it does the job beautifully.
I usually use Woodland Scenics products as it's easy to source for me (10 minute drive down the road and usually in stock) and relatively cheap. I'm also on a heap of mailing lists/newsletters, so I try and pick models and terrain stuff on special and heavily discounted.
Basics that you will need is some twigs from the garden, flock/static grass, foam and card. This will at least get some dead/petrified trees on the table. The foam can be found pretty much anywhere where there is packing materials and cut this with a stanley knife to get some hills. For buildings, just cut up card (the stuff from cereal packets) into square shapes and mask them together. This is a really basic setup and I usually do this so I can see where bits and pieces can fit without being too crowded or sparse before actually doing anything but will serve for a board while you source bits and pieces.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
I need someone like you at my lgs. great looking stuff and quicky done.
I think you're right on the orange - not enough variety, the red should really help.
Loving the bamboo. They're cool singly and really cool when all together. my only slightly negative thought is on the use of birch seeds for fallen leaves - they look more like oak or at a stretch, maple. bamboo has those long thin leaves. not a deal-breaker by any stretch - that part is just a little unnatural, they look beautiful overall and I'd love to have some on my table.
Can't wait to see what's next.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
My Photobucket Page = http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj76/grazclan2/
Thanks dgraz. I'm not that quick really, but I have bought a lot of equipment to make my life easier. Slide clamps, G clamps, atomisers, cans of spray all really make a difference and found cheaply.
I too was concerned over the birch seeds. It was advertised as oak but I couldn't find any bamboo leaves anywhere. It's not that common plant for train enthusiasts but it was the closest available. I was thinking of cutting all the leaves in 3, but that would have taken me a week just to go through the 3 packets that I had. The saving grace is that they're being viewed from about 2 feet away, so it'll be colour that matters more since the general shape is about right.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
The dead leaves drifted in from nearby. The bamboo are green after all.
"He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still"
The dead leaves are canopy that has been on the ground for some time. :)
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
It would certainly be a pain to try and make something that resembled actual bamboo leaves. have you checked your spice rack? I'm thinking maybe rosemary, or possibly thyme. dill is also similar, but may be too feathery.
I don't think you should change what you have, just maybe for the future. you might find something that gives the illusion better.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
My Photobucket Page = http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj76/grazclan2/
Those trees and bamboo came out really cool. Cant wait to see what you do next.
@dgraz: Actually, I didn't go check the smelly stuff which makes my food taste better. Probably the reason why is that I didn't want to wait for the rosemary to lose the aroma of a pizza/pasta place. ;) But still, a very good suggestion and I'll keep it in mind for future projects.
@GCT Gordon: Thanks. Next up is some simple things like paths (which I started and finished yesterday) and hills (which I have to paint today). I'll be starting on a stone bridge possibly tonight but more than likely tomorrow.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
Haha. I can see it now.
"Hey man, how come I'm always hungry when I play on this table?"
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
My Photobucket Page = http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj76/grazclan2/
I second that...people tend to be lazy with making terrain at the shop. Then again I don't blame em, damn 40k players just destroy it anyway =/.
Great job Hangman, can't wait to see all of it when it's done!!!
And try not to belt sand your hand again!
"He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still"
Or steal it and hide it in their "Only for 40k event terrain boxes".
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
My Photobucket Page = http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj76/grazclan2/
Thanks Cornelious. I'm not actually associated with any brick and mortar store, so I mainly make for myself for my home boards and for tournaments. It's more fun that way and the terrain stays nice and neat if I've got my hands on it all the time.
Pfft. It was only a finger and I've got 9 others. :D
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
As long as you can keep your clutz of a friend away from thos ebamboo stands right?
"He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still"
Heh. We both just shouldn't wear long sleeve tops when playing.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
Go with no tops at all if it's co-ed!!!
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
My Photobucket Page = http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj76/grazclan2/
Dont get any ideas Dgraz...we will always be playing with our tops on =P.
Co-ed being the operative word. I have no desire to see what's under your shirt.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
My Photobucket Page = http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj76/grazclan2/
After making a quip in another thread about needing glasses, it actually turned into a dire prediction. I had my eyes tested on Tuesday morning and I need glasses. Apparently, I've done very well to last this long without them. They are a mild prescription (-0.25 and -0.50) but it does make a hell of a difference to my short eyesight. After getting used to them for a couple of days, I'm now back in the swing of making the terrain for Bushido. I currently have completed, but not yet photographed 6 dirt road sections and 6 hills. Once I get to Officeworks (stationary superstore for you non-Aussies) and pick up some supplies, I'll get some pictures up, probably tomorrow at the latest. And I've also manage to source and make a contact with another modeller who owns a store (with red scatter!). Hopefully, I'll be able to pick some stuff up even cheaper.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
Are you saying "Through Bushido you have become more enlighten, and now see the world clearer?"
"To a real warrior, power perceived may be power achieved."
Master T: Something like that.
As promised, I've finished another lot of scenery this weekend. As I'm heading into the more complicated stuff now, I'll have to slow down and not work on 2 pieces at the same time. It all depends on drying times, etc.
First up, we've got hills of varying sizes, shapes and heights. These were cut out of 25mm blue insulation foam with a hot wire cutter, belt sanded down to give a smooth transition, sanded, painted and covered with scatter. The higher one covered with stone was a little more involved using a mix of filler putty, PVA and water. I then dipped serviettes/kitchen wipes into the mixture and moulded it on with my fingers and wood sticks.
Secondly, we've got the road sections. Very easily made with 3mm MDF cut to 6" x 3", sanded, painted and covered with scatter.
Thirdly, there's some stone paths made in the same way as the hill described above
Fourthly, the preview for next time, but needs some loving attention.
Lastly, here's (one of) the failed experiments to make a stone garden. I've still got a couple of tricks up my sleeve, so I'll see how they go.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
That's some good looking scenery there. I'm really intrigued as to how the wooden bridge turns out, and will be watching closely at your stone garden method as I'm also thinking of attempting it. So far you seem to be using the same technique I thought of using.
"The only true test of courage is the last one."
_________________________________________________________________
G3 - Glasgow Games Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/g3gamers/
@Mecha Ace: Don't attempt it unless you have some precision equipment. Trying to get all the lines straight with each other before the putty dries is a pain. My next attempt will be using thin plastic rods glued into place. If that doesn't work, I'll be looking into PVA and sand as a last resort. Also, don't use real rocks, they look terrible. I was going to shape these up with the mix outlined in my last post, but now I'm thinking better of it. There's some specific shapes and sizes which I'm actually after which real rocks and stones just can't simulate.
Thanks for the comments though. I've got some other things planned for other systems, but I'm seeing how I go with the Bushido stuff first.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
Everything is looking great man. I particularly like the stone path.
How practical are the hills for putting models on?
I had just decided to go for dark black/brown volcanic rocks for my bases instead of greys, but now you've gone for greys!
Now I'm conflicted again.
"He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still"
Yeah, the stone paths will lead to the temple and stone gardens from the pagoda. The hills are about at practical as you can get for model placement. Anything above a 60 degree slope will always present a problem no matter the model and how it's posed. I stuck with the usual colour for stone. I thought it wouldn't stand out as much as the structures will really steal the show.
http://www.hangmansnoose-au.com
Now live and running.
Looking good, that bridge is really great. Can imagine Hiro's last stand, holding the bridge against a horde of Bakemono.
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