New Terrain - Large and Medium Hills

[Original Draft - 20191230]

In a fit of optimism (or hope) i decided that with the potential for the Epic scene to grow in 2020 it might be an idea to aim for an 'official' third table of terrain.

From ebay i picked up another expensive blanket (aka cigar-box terrain battle mat). I did investigate deepcut studios and cigar-box battles from the manufacturers but these options were CRAZY expensive once you add shipping and exchange rate. Couldn't justify it.

[Aside: I don't think i mentioned but i sold out of SW Legion (models sold, terrain donated to CoD). Wasn't a system that really grabbed me. The rules were ok but i just generally like the 40k fluff over SW.  Anyway, found a buyer and decided to put the proceeds toward Epic terrain.]

So now i have one neoprene mat and two blankets. The second blanket is a 'summer' version of the winter scrublands mat i already have. So a bit of minor variation.

[later 2020-02: at cancon (a few short weeks later) i picked up a second neoprene mat from battlefield-accessories, so it's now 2:2]

To compliment the purchase i decided to make some large hills. I was contemplating a hive city but opted for a far easier option given a) no filament printer to run into the ground with panels, b) no desire to learn how to cast resin wall segments.

Bought some mdf placemats and had styrofoam lying about from the new bbq. Time to get old school!

This is the initial stack up of foam. Glue and bamboo skewers to hold everything more or less in place.

The placemats were all cut into rounded shapes rather than left rectangular for these pieces.

A comparative-size shot using some of the new tactical sticks. Far larger than any of the other hills I've made.

Generally also bigger than any other terrain pieces i've done.
The idea of the hills is to form groupings using the large, medium and small pieces.  The hills are intended to work as impassible terrain.
Once i've finished off all the pieces i'll take everything out and work out which terrain bits work best on each of the 3 maps/mats (colour-wise) - get some recommended assemble ideas together.
[BTW: i did finally paint on the numbers into the area terrain forest pieces. Used washes but it still looks a bit sh!t - but then it's not intended to have trees off except for model placement anyway.]

Required tools. Nice and easy.

Forming the gross shape with the scroll saw - also used an unattached hacksaw blade for cutting too.

Then melted away the hard edges with the portable flame dispenser. Not really looking for texture effect here, just shaping. The flame makes the process a bit more unpredictable too which is nice.

Cover everything with plaster (bought a new tub and have really dug into it too). Was a two step process on the large hills. First to fill divots and provide a 'key'. Then added a second layer by hand to help smooth the surfaces bit and cover any exposed foam.

All the rough was sanded out once dry (finally a use for the summer heatwave).

More or less done with the sculpting. I'll be added texture where i want it using glue and sand (rather than foam and flame). Wanted these all quite smooth before starting that. Fits better with the aesthetics of the existing hills and basing.

I also started work on a second series of 'medium' hills. I have two existing hills of about the same size (a touch lower perhaps). Should help mix the terrain options up even further.
Large hill in the back as a size comparison.  Four Mediums based on two more cut up placemats.

[update: 2020-01-02]
gave everything a solid brush down to remove loose, clinging dust. Then got some random-ish sand glued on. Not sure if i want to apply a second layer or not...
will probably give it today to dry then drush down to remove any loose grains. then on to paint.

[update: 2020-01-03]

yeah, so i clearly can't stick to a plan... or am overly motivated... or random. anyway, more progress.

I started with 'Apollo Grey', but ran out, not buying more of this hideously expensive paint so everything got finished with 'Rocky Dam' instead. Not particularly fussed if the terrain pieces aren't entirely unified, will probably drop on an extra wash before starting with the dry brushing however.

Really liking the way these are turning out. Is a similar texture to the previous 'large' hills so happy to continue.

ahhhh, update: so, i ended up being worried about a unified finish after all... this is not your surprised face... and redid all the hills. Fortunately not a huge project.


[update: 2020-01-14]

While this is not the newest of new news (a matter of getting around to reporting it), as of friday evening these bad boys were done...

All the hills, reworked...

btw, yes, that's the third (and hopefully last) battle mat. Got a run on the weekend with hills and forests. Looked fine.
These are just the new new pieces.... 

And just the feature pieces that started this whole caper...

Fairly happy with the results. i imagine that there a few tweaks and changes i might do on the tuftage etc but overall very happy with the results. They look suitable on the battle field. Probably better on the more arid mats - specifically the other cigar-box mat.


Update 20200121
For no good practical reason barring artistic compulsion i've added some... vine'age to the large hills.

I was in the flgs looking for paints and found some 'birch foliage' that looked intriguing.

While i'm really pleased with the results of these little segments, i'm now not sure about the hills in generally.

They're very rocky and stark... not much vegetation.   I'm thinking of adding a little extra flock here and there (and i generally hate flock as much (and for the same reasons) as xmas glitter!) - maybe a sprinkle around the bases though...

The hills are used on a number of different maps which have different base-colour schemes - it's difficult to get these to match up on all of them.

Dunno... don't overthink it i guess.

I've tried to keep these features on the crevasse/sun-less aspects, where perhaps there'd be more water.

Actually they're semi-modelled (in spirit) off a place i used to run around (and climb) when i was far, far younger.

Anyway, was quite fun. Felt like it was heading more toward diorama'ing than gaming terrain.

Until next time...