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i have been debating to make a modular table out of extruded polystyrene(pink foam) or a double sided plywood table. i have gone with plywood due to it is more convenient to store in my garage. i have decided side A will be an ice theme. let me know what you think and there will be follow up posts of ice terrain following the holiday. thank you ahead of time for your comments. please be gentle, i am a first time here and anywhere.

As far as featureless icy wastes go, it looks fine - you've added some paint colour texture to give a little visual interest, and that's about as much as you can do with plywood.

The only other option that springs to mind is to glue random shaped blobs of thin foam to the plywood - that would give you a bit more visual variation (representing snowdrifts, cracked ice, etc), but the surface then wouldn't be quite as sturdy as plywood alone.

I'll be interested to see what you do with terrain. Buildings and fortifications and wrecked vehicles all half-buried in snow and ice?

I'm really liking that staging zone.

As far as pink foam goes, make sure to coat the foam with drywall putty, caulking, or w/e to protect it. I made a 4 x 8 pink foam board and even the slightest touch scratches it badly (this is after MANY coats of paints and seals). I don't mind so much as it was a fun project, but given a second chance I'd def. coat it before priming.

I'd also suggest (from a near failure myself) to not make it a 2-sided board as the snow side might get very dirty (unless you like dirty snow ofc). Having the smooth side will make it easier to store and set-up.

One of the best coatings for the foam insulation I have found so far has actually been foundation paint.

There are several different brands - some which are smooth...others have additives which make them look a bit like stucco. Most of them on the market have actually been engineered in order to cover the exterior surface of ICF foundations...so very durable and adheres well to foam without damaging it.

thanks everyone. i need as many tips as i can get. im just diving head first into this terrain building. pictures within a week....hopefully, if the MRS. allows.

Here are 2 pieces of terrain that I have made. They are WIP but I figured to show an update. I am awaiting the arrival of my snow and water effects then a completed picture will be posted. In the mean time I am working on a small pond and a large pond with cracking ice. WIP pictures of this to come soon.

What did you make the Ice Bridges out of? Insulation Foam? and what did you cover it in?

Both are made out of extruded polystyrene(pink foam board). I used a heat tool that has multiple attachments to cut the foam, sear the layers together, then another attachment to make waves and bumps to look natural. Then I spray painted with the worst paint ever, foam safe spray paint. It is used by florists so it is thin, took 3 layers just to cover the pink foam. The rest is dry brushed on.

With family in town for the holidays, terrain building has grinned almost to a halt. On the positive side I got my snow in so I used a little and decided to post the outcome.

This board looks like it'll be killer when finished, the bridge has a nice organic feel to it and looks neat. my only suggestion ( having done 2 winter themed boards now) is that you need a bit more contrast on the rocks for the snow. for your rocks and mountains should start a much darker black/grey and dry brush only a tiny amount of dark brown and finish to a med grey. this will give you a more rocky/ slate style and make the snow look really great once its on, as it will be a much sharper contrast. if you google images snowy mountains or highland crags most mountain ranges that are high enough to have snow cover are a darker stone underneath. hope this helps! and congrats on your awesome new table

Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely give it a try.

Second piece of icy terrain in my game board series. I think my next series will be slightly darker. After a basecoat, dry brush, ardcoat, and some snow i think they look half decent. Next project is some frozen lakes.

very nice... i was looking out for some blue ice crevasses etc.

The Board Looks Great Bro! I can't wait to play on it!!!

My new icy rock collection.