Pictured is a project that has taken quite a few months to completely put together. It was slow due to it coinciding with my busiest work time of the year. It is my version of a gothic horror board and intended for use in medieval skirmish (eg: Lion Rampant), IHMN and (hopefully) a fantasy skirmish game - either Mordheim, Rangers of the Shadowlands or Frostgrave.
Within are various parts. The board is covered with one of the OLD GW gaming matts. Then, the obvious feature is also GW - the Sigmarite Mausoleum set. I thought this would be quite quick to paint but have not found it to be so. The fences in particular were very time consuming. I was extremely impressed by the appearance of all of the pieces and the robust plastic it is cast in.
I added my trees (that I use for all games in a European or North American setting.) These were ordered online and set into some thick cardboard. I believe variation on each base is very important.
Another feature are the ruins made from Hirst Arts casts. These I ordered from Griffon Grove in Melbourne as I really don't have the time or inclination to cast the blocks myself. Griffin Grove is great and the Hirst blocks are wonderful.
Above is one of the ruined temples I created with the Hirst blocks. Painted black, dry brushed grey, then a lighter grey before finally painting random blocks a different colour. I assembled and stuck onto MDF before using Valejo Thick Mud texture - dry brush this with a couple of brown then flock to complete.
I was really impressed by the ruined blocks, torch sconces and skulls to create that strong gothic effect. Hirst are just great ... I want to do more.
On the left of this image is a ruined tower of my construction. Here I have to give a mention to blue foam and the Black Magic Craft youtube. I find his videos extremely helpful. The tower was meant to be a practice only affair but turned into something much more than that. So far it has been used in Mordheim and a Dark Age broch.
The tower was made by cutting blue foam into small blocks. These were textured by shaking in a tin with stones then assembled one or two rows at a time. A cross row of blocks in a different direction helps add stability and strength.
Perhaps the final touch was supplied again by blue foam to create platforms/blocks. I wanted to add height to this entire affair. Height is a very essential element in a skirmish game. It adds another dimension and creates great fun and tactics. I purchased a sheet of blue foam and cut it into blocks of various sizes. I find 30mm blue foam to be the best thickness.
Once cut into blocks I used the pencil/pen technique I saw referenced on Black Magic Craft to create the stone shapes. It doesn't take too long to create. Just sit back and watch a film and knock a couple out.
From here paint black a couple of times (I use $2 paint from the Hot Dollar type shop - works a treat for terrain projects) then dry brush a couple of times using grey. A final light dry brush with a lightened grey or white will have things looking good. Continue the pattern of colouring random stones (with the same two colours - this helps link the terrain thematically.)
Final step on the blocks/platforms was to texture the tops using a multi purpose filla, PVA glue and paint all mixed in. Dry brush (off course) and flock to finish.
Now I await players to step through the gate of my tomb-world ... good terrain always aids the immersion of players and suspends disbelief. Both vital for good wargames where players commit to the plot, theme and encourages them to play the game ... not the rules.
