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Terrain feature

This article is design to show you the modeller how to make inexpensive terrain features, although the feature shown in the following series of pictures relates to a palm tree/water pool base, the basic principles employed in its production hold true to most types of terrain. (picture 1 finished base)

The first concern is the base, some people use hardboard, or other suitable mediums, I tend to use 6mm MDF board which is available at most wood merchants (off cuts offer really good value) the main reasons I use this thickness, one its easy to cut and more importantly it tends not to warp over time.

Having chosen the base material, simple decide on the size of the base. Rough draw its shape onto the MDF sheet, I use an electric jig saw to cut out each base , I set the blade at 45 degree angle as this gives a nice edge finish. Simply cut shape out ( take care when using the saw and never cut towards yourself or your fingers ). Once cut, sand paper the edges. (see picture 2 which shows a base cut out and sanded)

You should now decide on want you want your base to contain and what look you wish to achieve. On the feature example I decided that the base should contain a small central area of water, with a couple of rocks surrounding the pool edge, with two palm trees on the grass area, I roughly marked the positions on the blank base. ( see picture 3 showing board with rough positions of features)

You then apply a general type of Polly-filler (available at most DIY stores), and cover the area of the base which features dirt and grass area‘s (being careful not to get any on the pool area) I do this by carefully spreading the filler to cover the base with a wet brush , before the filler dries, insert the rocks into the required position (see picture 4 showing filler with rocks)

Before the filler sets and as soon as possible spread play sand over the wet filler and allow it to dry onto the filler surface, the sand gives a good grass/dirt textured look to the base (see picture 5 for effect). Having done all this allow the base and filler to dry completely, this may take a couple of days.

Once the base has hardened you can drill holes for the trees and in the case of this base holes for reeds around the pool area, I use PVA to glue the trees and reeds onto the base ( the reeds in this case are cut paint brush bristles)

Once again allow everything to dry, you can then apply the base coat colour of black ( I use mat car spray paint as its quick to apply and dries fairly quickly), once dried you can start to apply the colours to the relevant area’s of the base. The paint should be applied using the dry brush method, first of all dry brush the banking and rocks ( in this case I used a mid earth colour) (see picture 6 for dry brushed banking effect)

You can then turn your attentions to the grass area, once again dry brush the relevant area’s being careful to apply the darkest colour first and always allow each coat to dry. This particular board had two different greens applied to it. Whilst applying the green you can use the same colour to paint the reeds. ( see picture 7 for relevant effect)

Once this operation is completed again allow to dry. You then lightly dry brush the pool banking and rocks with a very light dry brushing of white, the grass area is also highlighted using a light dry brushing of yellow. (see picture 8 for last dry brushing effect)

The last piece to be done is the pool itself, I use a clear gloss paint and simply pour a suitable amount into the centre of the pool area, and gently spread the gloss to cover the complete pool area, being careful not to leave any bubbles in the paint, once you have completed this , put on a flat surface (preferably out of the way and dust free and allow to dry) and that’s about it. (see picture 9 for finished effect)

I hope this article has proved useful to you, give it a try, you’ll find that your technique will improve with each base you do. For those of you that would like to give it a try we can supply tree's and jungle sections at very reasonable prices, and for those of you that haven’t got the time we also supply the finished feature (LINK to sale and buy it now option)

Picture 5

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Picture 7

Picture 8

Picture 9

Picture 3

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Picture 2

Picture 1

Clearings