It's that time of year again when the "outside jobs" add their own demands on our hobby time - of course, this doesn't HAVE to be a completely bad thing.
For example, when I took the garden waste to the local tip, I spotted a guy throwing away some off-cuts of insulation foam!
I also found a mains power cable from an old strimmer out in the shed, so I cut off a short length, removed the insulation, and spent a pleasant few minutes sitting out in the sunshine with a brew "twisting up a tree".
The armature was given a coat of gloop mixed up from instant filler, PVA glue and Burnt Umber acrylic paint before mounting on a 40mm round mdf base, and then had some 'Cherry Blossom' flock stuck on with super glue.
Adding a couple of resin items from TT Combat, I've got the key terrain feature (a roadside shrine) for the first scenario in the Test Of Honour "Battle Guide" for just a few pence!
The table is set up as per the "Battle Guide",
the second goup of mini's are done,
and everything is in place.
"Hajime!"
That's Japanese for "Begin", and I'm off to play through the game - AAR to follow in the next post!!
Many thanks for all the kind comments on the previous (anniversary) post, your support is much appreciated guys!
That was a most serendipitous find at the tip, Greg. Isn't it great when you get to make such fine scenery so cheaply? I am very much looking forward to seeing your first "Test of Honour" game. I have a front row seat booked with drinks and snacks at the ready.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was Bryan, and put a smile on my face while doing the chores :-)
DeleteI dunno about "fine scenery" - "cheap'n'cheerful" would be more accurate, but it can only get better with practice ;-)
Not long to wait for the AAR since I played the game this evening, and thoroughly enjoyed it!
Great when you can turn a chore into a great find for the hobby Greg, The tree looks great, with the insulation foam, if you put a layer of polyfilla on it when shaped you can add some great stone texture with a damp paintbrush ( Household type). Look forward to reading the AAR
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave, and thanks for the tip :-)
DeleteI used a bit of filler to cover a few air bubble holes and 'bad cuts', but didn't think to sculpt any effects - definitely something to try on the next one! :-)
Be careful Greg or before you know it you'll be like me taking stuff out of skips lol when you think about what you can do with a little effort like you've done above for so cheap & still end up with great looking terrain it begs the question why don't we do it more ?
ReplyDeleteNow I'll take my set next to Bryan & await the movie :)
Thanks for the warning Frank ;-) Though I think it may be too late - I'm already hanging on to the "voting tokens" from Asda and Tesco to use as game markers!
DeleteI'm royally late with the replies since the AAR is already up (I hope you like it) :-)
Lucky finds and excellent use of scrap mate. Looking forward to seeing that AAR
ReplyDeleteCheers buddy - the look on the guys face when I 'intercepted' him on the way to the skip was priceless!
DeleteWhat he must have been thinking when I loaded the stuff into my van with a huge smile on my face is anyones guess! :-)
I'm pleased that I'm not the only one that finds 'wonderful things' whilst I'm meant to be doing something entirely different.
ReplyDeleteTo be able to make a key elemnt of terrain for an upcoming game too, is great !
Many thanks Joe - I automatically read "wonderful things" with a 'Royston Vasey' voice in my head ("The precious things" in the shop) ;-)
DeleteI'm just glad to find I'm not alone in this upcycling lark :-)
Well that's just brilliant and a timely reminder that not all terrain has to be expensive and shop bought.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael - I just wish I had a little more modelling talent to turn the stuff into better looking bits of terrain. Practice might not make perfect, but here's hoping the last bit will be better than the first ;-)
DeleteNeat!
ReplyDeleteCheers Hugh :-)
DeleteCracking looking piece of terrain. I must have a stab at one of these trees at some point they look most excellent.
ReplyDeleteThanks Simon.
DeleteTo be honest, the wire armature tree is something I've wanted to have a go at for AGES! and the hardest part really was actually making a start ;-)
It was surprisingly easy and rewarding (and quite therapeutic, sitting out on a sunny day), and definitely something I'll be doing more of :-)
I showed this to Mrs Vagabond and she realizes I'm not the only mad man around, thanks Greg.
ReplyDeleteLast week my neighbours builders were throwing away offcuts just like yours. I retrieved them to make barrage and observation balloons for wings of war. Unlike you mine are still pieces of offcut insulation instead of a very nice bit of terrain.
The tree, I did exactly the same as you and decided it was just a bit more clutter and threw it away. If I had seen your finished result with the blossom I would have held on to it and copied your excellent tree.
Well done with these Mrs Greg will make an honoury Yorkshireman out of you yet. How much, not a lot and it's still a bargain.
Thank you John - is this a case of "great minds thinking alike", or "fools seldom differing"? ;-)
DeleteBoth the foam carving and wire twisting were things I've waited for the 'round tuit' for, and fate handing me the blocks and cable obviously meant that NOW was indeed the time to make a start!
Does this mean I'll be entitled to wear a flat cap? (good job I'm not dyslexic otherwise I'd be wanting a cat flap).
Live with 'em 'til you get like 'em ;-)
Ey - and keep ferrits down your pants as well. ;)
DeleteJust found out that the pop star "Will I Am" has a relative in Yorkshire.......
Delete"Will I Eckaslike"!
I'll get my coat ;-)
Brilliant stuff Greg! That terrain looks the business :)
ReplyDeleteI will say I'm NOT looking forward the Test of Honour AAR because I had my eye on the game for a while and up to this point have been really good about now buying in LOL! I can already see with these few photos you're not going to make it very difficult to not pull out the 'ol credit card :)
Many thanks Ivor - I'll freely admit that the terrain is "functional" and will hopefully improve over time, but I was keen to get playing the game since I've had it UNTOUCHED for over two months!
DeleteEven the Financial Dictator had been asking "Have you done anything with the new game you got for your birthday yet?" so I knew it was time to get stuck in! ;-)
As with all things, 'one mans meat is another mans poison' but after just one play through, I personally think it's a great game :-)