Welcome to the 26th installment of the League of Extraordinary Riveters Terrain Competition!
This competition is all about terrain building, which you can probably guess from the title.
The League's aim is to encourage our fellow gamers/model-makers to kick it up a notch while building terrain for their tabletop, be it for wargames, board games or dioramas. We encourage participants to use this thread to trade ideas, inspiration, encouragement and feedback. Everyone is a winner in a League competition. Because, in the end, your entry is also your prize. The first place winner, however, will win another great prize. They will be named a member of the League of Extraordinary Riveters, a group of dedicated artists and modelers who put great effort into having their work be extremely detailed (like being willing to glue on thousands of rivets). The first place winner will also pick the topic for the next round and be judge.
If you haven't taken part before, check out the rules and previous rounds. (linked below.)
Each round has a “theme” or other defining attribute(s) that must in some way be applied to the your terrain project, to compete with other modellers.
The competition is open to everyone registered on Dakka Dakka, all are welcome to enter regardless of skill, experience, ability, etc.
The winner of each round hosts the next round, and the cycle continues.
The theme, limitations, rules, judging and prizes are all the responsibility of the host, although he or she can get help from others for some of those things...
For those who are returning once again to compete a most sincere and heartfelt welcome back! And to anyone competing for the first time, awesome! And welcome!
Theme: Hold the line!
By this I mean, I would like all of you to make terrain to represent a defensible position. A bunker, a trench, a wall, a circle of wagons! Anywhere the few can hold the many at bay. as simple as a doorway, or as complicated as a maze. Up to you.
I would like every participant to post their idea/ideas on this thread.
Any scale and game system is welcome. The size of your piece doesn't matter and big vs small will be judged equally. The League wants you to push yourself to the next level in artistic ability and creativity, not size. ( see rules as not strictly true!)
One very important thing to do, is post lots of "work in progress" pictures on this thread. This will let everyone enjoy the process of what you are creating. The members of LoER, participants in these contests, and the Dakka community as a whole love to help each other and give advice. A huge part of these competitions are to help you improve as an artist. Let people enjoy your WIPs and give suggestions to make it even more amazing. Constant updates from all of us will also keep this contest easier to find, which will allow more people to come and enjoy everyone's work, and get more people excited about joining in. (If more people join, you'll be even more proud if you win against 20 competitors rather than 2).
Do not post your finished work on this thread They should be PMed to me for judging, but you can still feel free post your finished work on your own P&M blog if you have one (just not here).
Try to take good pictures, if no one can see how good your piece is, how will we know? After all the work you put into your piece, don't slack on the pictures.
Rules:
1. Talk about the competition. Make as many people know as you can. If you have a P&M blog, it's great to mention it there. I think it's a good idea to post you WIPs in your P&M blog as well as here, it gets your post count up faster, and will encourage the visitors of your blog to check out this competition. Just please make sure you mention regularly what this WIPs are for.
One of the best things you can do, is put the League terrain competition banner in your signature:
HTML code for the banner:
{url=https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/757802.page#9999861]{img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/11/8/429237_md-.jpg{/img]{/url]
change all the "{" to "["
It should look and work like this one:
2. The deadline for this competition will be to have your stuff in by the end of 31st August 2018. 3 whole months. If enough of you need extensions, let me know and I'll probably extend it. I know real life happens sometimes, and it can happen hard.
3. Your piece should be scratch-built or heavily converted. It's fine to use parts from model kits, and no wants to sculpt 10 little cameras or similar do-dads on their piece. Just remember you're being judged on your creativity and artistic ability. I already know you can put model kits together, otherwise you wouldn't be a war gamer.
4. Your model should be a piece of terrain or a diorama that can be used for gaming purposes. It cannot be a playable model in itself (a crashed tank must stay crashed), but removable models (people) are fine.
5. As mentioned above: any scale, any setting, any game system or board game is welcome. Also any size for the actual piece you're making is great as long as you can photograph it clearly. I would add a " Small, but perfectly formed!" element. I enjoy seeing the struggle that is fitting all the elements required in a confined space.
6. Final Entry: Six or more photos of your final entry, showing top, front, both sides, back and all the important parts - not to be posted in this thread. PM me with links to your galleries, albums, P&M blogs, or jsut the straight up pictures, etc. As said above, please take the time to take the best photos that you can. Ideally your PM will include Photos, a description of what materials went into your entry and any specific techniques used, feel free to include some fluff/background/context to help everyone fully grasp your piece. Though hopefully you've already shared all those things except the final photos on this thread already.
7. AMBITION: Push yourself. Try something new! Always wanted to use LEDs? Go for it! Fancied weathering powders? Here's your chance! I'll be looking at your galleries for previous work, entries etc. I want everyone to feel that their best has a fair shot at this. This is very important, Another words it might not be the BEST model that wins, but the one that has shown themselves to have pushed that envelope. In every LoER terrain comp I've been a part of, I tried something that I had never done before. You'll feel great and very proud of yourself for having done it.
8. Not so much a rule, but it wouldn't be the League of Extraordinary Riveters if there are no rivets. This also means similar small details are highly valued (rivets are the best example of this level of detailing).
9. Sprue. Find a use for the often discarded wonder material and you will impress everyone. Sprue has so many uses and we're usually buried under it, so we'd all appreciate more things we can do with it.
10. THE RULE OF COOL trumps all.
Overview I will be judging based mainly on creativity, artistic ability compared to your other works, following the theme, if your piece embodies the detail that the league is known for, and most of all if I think it's cool.
The Prize Membership to the League of Extraordinary Riveters as top prize. You will be allowed to fly the League's banner and be recognized as a modeller devoted to impressive detail (or Rivets).
The Warm feelings inside and the bragging rights that your peers love and are impressed with your work. And as is league tradition, I will also mail you a small modelling/war game based prize as well, probably some stuff to add to your scratch building supplies or a small piece of terrain.
I think that's everything, but don't hesitate to ask for clarification, and remind em of things I forgot.
I'm in! I really shouldn't since even with Cam's very generous time table, I don't think I'll have time. But I like this theme and can't resist joining.
For now, my plan is to make some trenches (unless I suddenly decide I want to do something else, as I so often do)
I'm in! I started my entry last week though as I still had the terrain bug after finishing.... well my terrain bug! Hope that's okay. It's kind of freaky with the theme you picked as I was literally making a refinery where a last stand type of thing went on. Severe happenstance all over the place! Biggest thing I've attempted thus far. Anyway here's what I have so far:
For the first time (and hopefully not the last I'm in. been eyeing off this comp for a while so may as well.
Recently scratch built a bunker/artillery battery that is frankly terrible. I'll be recycling the gun and creating the rest to make a better artillery platform/ counts as earthshaker.
Good luck to all.
@kestral: Awesome! As soon as I saw that star fort my mind immediately went to the Iron Warriors since I'm a big fan of Graham McNiell and have also read Storm of Iron. I don't know how you could even try to resist with the timing of that book and this contest. Make Honsou proud!
Is nothing special. Guys here in my town, have 2 battle boards. And nothing on it,or very poor quality terrain, so I help them, and build something to table.
Is scratch build, FDM board as base, styrodur for walls, Goth windows I cut from garbage plexiglass 10mm on cnc laser(at company where I work)
This is old method of building really big house. I move next, and laser cutting changed for 3D printing. Maybe in future, I will post some project what I build with it. (if it pass into theme )
I build it as sandwitch. Some material are better for something, another material for something else.
let's start
Spoiler:
beginning
Plexi - You know it, create one piece .dxf, and then ctrl+c and ctrl+v, copy all into laser, add garbage from plexi tables , wait 10 minutes, and take out intermediate products
As glue I use hot glue gun. You think it will melt styrodur. Yes and no. All depend on temperature glue gun. Styrodur is harder than polystyrene and can absorb higher temperature., If you use too high temp, it will melt.
I glue it close to temperature, when glue chopstick start melting. So it nice paste together.
Idon't build too strict from plan.
where is pencil there I want as first idea build ladder
As you can see, from this position of construction, is high defensible terrain.
Some time ago I build skyscraper for table, so this will be as counter point on table(2 very high building, about 60+ cm (2 feet+)
Goth portal at base is 20cm tall, all other about 11cm tall
maximum hight under desktop lamp. If I build somethig taller, will make it from more pieces.
@Boundless08 - look here https://youtu.be/ciHsAnM9c14 it have 4 parts, man show how he create sketch, export it in .dxf(or similar format) and cut it on laser cutter.
Is near same process, what I'm using. Only few details change(I use solidworks, no autocad, another type of laser cutter)
Now i work with this
Spoiler:
3d printing FDM, mixed with other procedures. Top luxury is SLA technology in 3D printing for now...
It have small weakness. I'm lazy to paint it. I can create everything in short time, but need another guy who like paint this
this all looks so freaking awesome...but one has to wonder...what do you actually do with these rather big builds of yours...is your home cluttered in gems made of foam?...or do you sell/ give away them?
also...these 3D printing works of yours...i feel there is so much potential...wish i could do that----*sighs*
@Viktor I create big build only if I have order on it. Or is prepared space (outside of my home) for it.
dwarf stronghold was first and last one, when I build something this proportion for myself. Don't have space.
Skyscraper and this cathedral is created as free sponsorship for local wargaming club. They don't have time, skill, money to create something like this.
What you want print on 3d printer? If is not monstrous, I can sketch and print for you - I try sell only 3d printed object, but no one want it. No one want do terrain modeling and paint it.
Buying finished? of course. Buying parts (unpainted crates, barrels, clogs, etc) no one.
If you want send me PM about this. I know really well, how F***ing it is, when you want create some terrain and don't have some special components for it.
Final part of construction photos. Finished look I send to Camkierhi.
Spoiler:
last photo from construction.
but for ilustration, how it looks on map desk with another buildings
Tek, you are aware that these contests tend to run for many weeks... you don't have to finish within the first page... Great job as always.
I may be able to wrangle something to fit the theme from my box of "use these things next", and I'm in need of starting something new on the building desk. Could kill two birds with one stone... We shall see...
A multi-part piece consisting of three mobile flesh-vat extrusion units and a couple of angled flesh-walls. The ends of the walls mate with openings on the meat-makers so that with more units and more walls a variety of defences can be built
A simpler version of above where it's a dug-out/bunker type affair consisting of one, maybe two, flesh-generators. A smaller, one piece build.
A defence line, possibly incorporating some of the above ideas, but where the main essence is a hostage shield. Civilians, soldiers, families, all strung up on the front of the wall to discourage incoming fire.
Probably one of the first two. Although I did come across my old infinity mirror over the weekend, and am toying with making it into a portal of some kind......
Proof. This was the styrafoam that came with a ceiling fan I recently replaced. It just screams TERRAIN to me. I'm going to try using this as a starting point for my LoER entry this round.
I'm thinking war-torn ruined factory. Or mad scientist's lab. Troops could hole up in there and defend it. Nice high ground. Good LOS blocking I suppose!
To be honest, this thing is huge. Very ambitious for me compared to past projects. Current dimensions are: 23" L x 12" W x 5" H. My plan is to cut it down some, maybe by 1/3. Rough it up of course. Add in doo-dads, dirt, battle damage, etc.
Also need to find a way to seal it so that the styrafoam doesn't lose structural integrity and crumble. I'm thinking PVA, maybe spackle, plaster, even papier-mâché. Lots of options!
@ Cleatus: Wow that does scream terrain, and to me also "skate park" You should check the completion date on this contest, Cam is giving us a big block of time so it might be worth trying on the whole thing depending on how much time you can devote.
Time for some over due WIP shots. I had a lot of fun researching trench warfare as I was preparing to start this project. I felt like a budding Iron Warriors player learning about stuff like "enfilade, defilade, saps, communications trenches, reserve trenches, and the like.
Here are some of my raw materials (which I later doubled). I cut 8 inch by 4 inch strips of dollar store foam core, then peeled off the paper. I also then cut roughly 1 inch by 1 inch styrofoam prisms. These prisms were then cut diagonally to create right triangular prisms.
Here is a scale shot of a representative from each of my 40k armies. I am building this trench system in a modular manner, with each piece shaped like a hexagon with one side an inch shorter than the other.
Here the trench is set up in a way to protect from enfilade, so an enemy cannot fire down the entire length of the trench if the get in.
Here it is arranged in a curve.
I plan to make additional connectors to allow more configurations.
Made some more pieces today, I think I'm finally done making new parts and will start the many steps to finishing all the modules now.
I made two "T" intersections for the trenches, so they can branch along with 4 arcs to allow the trenches to angle more.
Here's one of the T-intersections in use to allow a communications trench to attach to the forward trench.
I then made some more of the arc pieces, another trench piece of a different size, and some end caps for the trenches. The extra arc pieces and trench piece allow em to construct this:
Thanks Cam! Rather than continue with what I had planned, I've gone back and started cutting away at the walls to widen the trenches to be able to add details while still being able to fit in the figures. Dakka's been a bad influence on me, I never used to care about adding so much detail
Thanks Cam, though I'm proud of myself that my work had enough detail that I made it into the League even though I don't do rivets.
This took a lot longer than I would have liked, but now all of my pieces have been widened and had corrugated cardboard and bamboo skewers added to represent corrugated metal walls held up by posts. I've gotten Spackle/filler on about half the pieces which are currently drying.
Nice to see so many of us progressing at once. Vik, you just exploded out of the gate. KernelTerror, Skalk, Vik, keep up the good work, I'm looking forward to seeing more. Also KernelTerror, this is probably funny coming from me with the huge trench system, but that piece of the bunker you have done so far looks really big, how big is it?
I've finished applying spackel/filler to all my little trench sections, but they don't really look different enough from before to warrant pictures. I hope to prime or base coat soon.
Great stuff all! Still working out designs, and waiting to find the bits of junk that will set my direction. I do however have some leave coming up and my original plan for that time is now dead, so I have some spare time on my hands to make up for any slow start.....
@KernelTerror: sweet, that is going to be an imposing piece. I hope you do manage to make the top removable, that would be cool to hide a tank in there sometimes. The people here on Dakka are a wealth of information and very helpful, so don't hesitate to ask for advice on how to do that. I'm looking forward to seeing your bunker progress.
@OMN: I agree with KernelTerror, very impressive precision on that build.
I've primed all my trench sections and have begun base coating them all. I only have enough room to work on and let dry about 1/3 of them at once, so it's taking a while.
I painted the dug down part of the trench a dark brown, while the part out in the sun light a light brown. Once sand is on top of it all, I'm hoping it will give a subtle and good looking difference. I plan to make the corrugated iron pretty weathered and rusty
Not really, I was pretty sloppy cutting it out some of the corners are a mess.
So that's the main body done, detailing and the interior next.
Riveted plates on the corner buttresses, above the fire slots and on the roof. Inside I need to add something in the centre and a door. Sandbags can be added to the outside to cover some of the more glaring issues.
I've been adding the sand to the trenches, Still more to do. All my stuff is currently drying as I just finished adding a watered down PVA glue protective coat on top of all the sand portions.
Thanks OMN, it did take ages. Luckily it wasn't quite as bad as I expected (mostly mess wise). I keep my sand in one of those plastic barrels that you can buy pretzels in, and I found that I could just barely fit each piece through the mouth and into the barrel. So each piece, after the glue had been brushed on, would be slid into the barrel, I'd close the lid, then roll it around to apply sand. And yes, I'll be making sure to seal in all the sand I use, I've learned the hard way that it needs to be done .
Will it be problem if I add here some inspiration photos what can be build for "hold the line!" ?
Add it under spoiler
Spoiler:
This one has no name, and is not constructed as terrain. Maybe in future....
(Original was flatbed for rc [radio control] logging truck)
But with fantasy.... it can be superb 40k terrain.
Put it vertical, add some fans, drop few crates, create mess on floor, add staircase, carve some styrodur panels for cover clear aluminium..........and nice platform represent a defensible position at the side of ruined industrial building is born.
Finally got an Idea on what to do for the theme, I'm currently working on Rebel Grots for GorkaMorka and figured out a way to make the same project work for 3 different competitions
The actual Grots for BlogDeKouzes warband competition, The Vehicle for Yak Comp 24 over on the Yaktribe forum, and the Grot Scenario Terrain for this LoER comp
Starting materials for the GorkaForta (of is it FortaMorka?)
Well, I suppose it's time to declare intentions... I'm in... for now.
As I mentioned, I had a space to start a project, and a box of things that "needed" to be used for something. The thing that "needed" to be used was the mould from an old playset; the Terminator 2 bioflesh regenerator playset. I REALLY wanted this thing when I was a child, I don't know why... probably advertising.
Still, it was laying about collecting dust, so now I'll put it to work. Chuck some plaster in it and remove pieces of what will become statues. Getting a whole one out is impossible, it's not designed for plaster. I do, however, have a whole one made of GS and milliput, but that's not for this piece... I want pieces.
I then wanted a rough-shaped base instead of the "neat" CD bases I've made before. So I broke up the CDs (place in a cloth or bag before snapping to avoid loss of pieces or eyesight). Then covered that with tissue/PVA.
And now I have a plinth and the select statue pieces. The plinth is a foamcore box with tiles of card stuck over it. It will get some plaster smeared on to tie them together and give some more texture. The statue pieces will get added detail sculpted on in time.
But this is just the basis of the eventual model. The "plan" is to build a barricade about the fallen statue as the defenders fight to retain control of this important landmark (the "hold the line" part). It'll be a small, story-driven model, with lots of details to hopefully tell the story of who was victorious... no clues from me, I want to tell the whole story through the model.
Unfortunately, today was the day I had to get on a plane and fly about 2500 miles from home for schooling. There will be a little bit of time when I get back before the contest ends, so maybe I can hurry and finish when I get back. Good luck to everyone working on this contest.
Interesting start Doc, I was wondering just what you were going to do with that statue thing. Sounds like a cool idea and you're off to a great start already.
Nice work guys. So what about another progress on it?
I add something from me
Spoiler:
First, I have entry into competition finished on first page But few months are too long time.
This can fit theme too. Building well defensible position from obstacles and crates.
Last weekend I finish another set of terrains.
another inspiration for you.
@KernelTerror: Nice progress! You're making me anxious to get back to working on mine. Out of curiosity, are those wooden support you screwed in going to be a permanent part of your piece, or is it support while something dries?
Thanks Syro_ ! I plan on leaving them, although they are just the skeleton part of future buttresses a the moment.
After the texture of the main part is done, I'll put plastic foil between it and the upper part, then add more plaster it order to tie them up with the upper plastic arc. By drying in place, it should take a shape that lets the whole roof hold on its own nicely.
^ Nice, those supports will look good as buttresses in the finished piece, I'm glad you're keeping them. Your piece also looks like it's getting pretty heavy, how much does it weigh?
Glad you approve Syro_ !
I just weighed the whole piece, and it is a bit over 2Kg (4.4 lbs). Could have been much more, expanding foam and light wood under the plaster help limiting its weight.
I am joining the party a little late...but I am currently working on some figures and some 4Ground lasercut MDF kits to use in Ash Barker's 'Last Days: Zombie Apocalypse' survival skirmish game, and I'd like to challenge myself to make something to use as scenery for the game.
I don't think I'll go too crazy, but I'd like to do some fencing and barricades at a farmhouse, used to keep the restless, wandering, ever-hungry undead masses at bay.
That's all I have as far as a concept so far, need to do a little planning and sketching first, then see what I can pull off in the remaining time allotted.
And now with added cape:
Starting from an old superglue tube (could not open the tube up for the life of me, only really needed one side for a scaffold) and covered with milliput.
I made it less cape-like (and therefore more statue-like) by giving it a flat bottom and a support piece between the near side and the statue's leg.
Continued it up and over the shoulders on the torso piece, and finished it with a length of chain.
While I was at it, I extended the hair on the head into a ponytail and continued that onto the torso over the cape.
And then finished the basing with my usual mix, but with added pathway.
the slabs were made from plaster that I squashed between a piece of glass (my putty palette) and a piece of plastic, to give a thin, flat piece that I then cut into squares...
...which were then placed and broken onto the base to form a broken path where the statue fell.
The head will end up on a shrine of sorts behind the barricade that I'm about to start on...
I'm in, or at least will try to meet the generous deadline- I'm not good at that, so working to a deadline is my learning point for myself on this project.
Here's the start of a Necromunda stronghold (I've never done Necromunda stuff before- and going to give 'graffiti' a try):
I think they are 1.5mm; you can buy them in packs of 1000+, just glue them on to styrene using regular plastic glue. They may need a little trimming on the sides where they have stuck to neighbouring beads. I bought mine off ebay.
Hope that helps!
Good to see others progressing in all the way's that I am not atm, just as well there is a while left until the end of this competition, plenty of time for more to join the fun.
I've been working away at this between house moving & renovating, but keep forgetting to post here...
My project is a fortified island-harbour for the Mare Solum 40k setting (a community -created 'waterworld'), which will serve as a base for my Magos Oceanum warband.
These are a couple of earlier WIP pics, more progress since then but any C&C welcome.
Great to see so many strong entries on this thread! Well done folks.
Failure to find any junk to inspire my build, I decided to just grab something and start chopping it...
A circular bit of polystyrene will do. Let's roughly half it, then split each section again....that should provide some kind of basis for some kind of emplacement
Actually, we'll cut that up a bit more, just for variety
And hey, let's mark up North and South ends of each piece...why not?
What about basing? My standard CD/ME type thing doesn't seem particularly suited to this project, maybe cut up a CD case instead?
Not bad, but as I felt a need to get the edges of each section lined up with the edge of the base I switched to some plasticard offcuts I had....too time consuming cutting that case plastic just right.....have to investigate that elsewhere
Make a few random chips and burns into the polystyrene, and cover those silly N's and S's with a bit of greenstuff.
Pretty sure it's a chaotic type of thing......But that's all I've got so far. It's not orky, I know that.
These images are inspiring me. I really need to get to work on my entry... TBH, I've had terrible hobby ADD lately. (start new terrain! where's that bit... I think it was in this box, or that box, or... oh, I should clean up this mess... but wait, I should finish up that last project I had been working on, it was almost done! Oh hey, look at all these unpainted Orks. well, I guess I could clean up some mold lines... vacation... what was I working on again?? Family time.... work work work... etc.)
I think they are 1.5mm; you can buy them in packs of 1000+, just glue them on to styrene using regular plastic glue. They may need a little trimming on the sides where they have stuck to neighbouring beads. I bought mine off ebay.
Hope that helps!
Good to see others progressing in all the way's that I am not atm, just as well there is a while left until the end of this competition, plenty of time for more to join the fun.
Thx it helps a ton ! I’m currently building an industrial board and I was not very happy with my rivets so far (micro beads in a pin vice vole).
Dr H wrote: And now with added cape:
Starting from an old superglue tube (could not open the tube up for the life of me, only really needed one side for a scaffold) and covered with milliput.
I made it less cape-like (and therefore more statue-like) by giving it a flat bottom and a support piece between the near side and the statue's leg.
Continued it up and over the shoulders on the torso piece, and finished it with a length of chain.
While I was at it, I extended the hair on the head into a ponytail and continued that onto the torso over the cape.
And then finished the basing with my usual mix, but with added pathway.
the slabs were made from plaster that I squashed between a piece of glass (my putty palette) and a piece of plastic, to give a thin, flat piece that I then cut into squares...
...which were then placed and broken onto the base to form a broken path where the statue fell.
The head will end up on a shrine of sorts behind the barricade that I'm about to start on...
Realised that these did go back to one of my initial thoughts of a flesh-wall, so that's where I headed with it....
Trying to remember what I learnt doing the mobius strip all those moons ago, and have covered most of the area in clear crackle paint, to enable some lovely wash effects to get a 'nice' raw meat look to most of the flesh slabs.
In line with that idea I'm trying to figure out how to build some mobile flesh-vats to provide a source for these walls, and maybe some end pieces too. But if I can get these bits done then at least I have something.
Quick progress update from me, still need to work out how to mount the hauling wheel (hoping it will actually function!) and replace the string with chain. Then more texturing, tidying and greebles before the paint job.
I added some matchsticks to the windows to add more noise to the model.
I'm not sure yet how to make sandbags cheaply, but I'm sure I can figure it out.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Automatically Appended Next Post: Here I added some extra collapsed flooring. I wasn't enthusiastic about the ramp at first but after some effort it's shaping up.
On the top level there's some ammunition and a melta bomb for the sniper lookout.
I'm planning to add some piping to the wall to attach a climbing line to reach the main floor. And some sandbags on the windows to add some protection for the sniper lookout. Originally I was thinking about a wall of sandbags but. After looking at the bunker image in this thread. It's probably more practical to enforce the Windows by stacking bags under them and on the cill..
Automatically Appended Next Post: I honestly have to say that form board ruins are fun to make. This whole thing cost less than 5$ so far minus the bits I had lying around.
Very much enjoying all the updates guys, And foamcore is a great material.
Cheap sandbags, basically get hold of the cheapest putty/clay you can get your mits on and roll a sausage shape, then cut it using something blunt, a little fiddling and sandbags galore. I have even used poster tak before, you can "set" it with a coat of superglue.
Because there's no paint yet and it's kind of hard to see pure white styrafoam, here's a color-inverted image to show detail and texture:
As I was cutting away at the styrafoam I accidentally broke off a couple of pieces that I thought were interesting and wanted to keep. Go go glue and pins!
The pins will be removed once the glue has dried. I'm thinking that I might want to insert some tooth picks or bamboo skewers into the foam to help give it some structural integrity. Might want to give the thing a base too. Thoughts?
(cross-posted to my P&M blog, along with some other stuff if you're curious. )
Orsino wrote: ...Has anyone made an Ozymandias joke yet?
Great work, looking forward to seeing it painted.
No, you're the first with that one, although Superman, a Slaaneshi champion and Trump have been mentioned. Thanks.
I've now started on the barricade.
Large, rusty metal sheet held up with I-beams,
An Imperial-looking wall section (to get some battle damage),
And some wood in-between that's been properly damaged (with scattered pieces of wood all over).
And I added a temporary shrine for the head: A wooden box with a tabletop thrown on (that you may notice the wall section is leaning on).
Dire Avenger for scale.
All looking good guys, interested to see what occurs with that winching chain Apollinaire.
You figured out the sandbags just fine Allfather.
Have a bit more painting progress, but pics were on my camera rather than phone, so need to transfer them before I can upload any. Currently pawing through various tubes, tips and cartons to find inspiration for the mobike flesh-vats.
Used a piece of "wood" to support the head, but mounted it at a slight angle to show that it is just resting in place as a heavy lump of rock.
Around the head I've added some candles, some of which have been knocked over when the barricade was damaged.
Just lengths of plastic rod, some with GS flames, and the knocked over ones with a piece of wire drilled into the tops.
I had to press-mould the skull for the gothic thing (another OMN item), as the ones I have were too bit to fit in. So moulded the face and then gently pushed it into the hole while it was still soft.
GS strap for the gun, but possibly not the final position; not glued in place as it'll be a bit fragile to be placed there, even if it fits there so well. May well make a dedicated mount for it somewhere else.
Found a use for OMN's teapot and used a piece of a OMN lamp (previously chopped up for another project) to make a hotplate. Just added a couple of bent wires for legs.
And a couple of bottles for flavour.
And a battery pack to power it.
Wire to be added...
And I added a spike that has penetrated the barricade as the first step of the battle damage.
Actually drilled a hole an poked it through as the simplest way to add it.
Man- so much win here- I'm taking notes of all the things I want to try out; every single one of you has shown something that I've not tried before!
So here's the start of my defensive piece for the Riveters' contest. As originally envisioned, it'll be a piece of Industrial or Necromunda terrain: a Promethium Works or chemicals plant that's a strategic goal and tactical target, therefor reinforced and hardened as best as the defenders can with limited skills, resources and inclination (if they're gangers).
As always, the best basing material (for cheap) that I've come across so far are these clipboards from the Dollar Tree (everything's one dollar in them):
I trimmed it to length to get rid of the clip whilst I was at the farm this last weekend and then scored the grooves to simulate pavement edges with my radial arm saw. Basecoated it medium grey (spray can) and then hit it with a lighter grey to simulate weathering and make it a little different grey from the pipes and tanks and things- the fiber was thirsty and sucked some othe light grey in and made for some neat weathering already- I'll hit it with washes and some 'chemical staining' later. I also cut a piece of pink insulating foam to size for a base for the promethium tanks with my hot foam cutter:
Next carved out the seats for the promethium tanks (combination of my micrometer accurate circle cutter and centimeters accurate hacking with a hobby knife), the 'tanks' are the top parts of two plastic drinks bottles:
Next, added a cross-connecting fitting from the local hardware store, from their 'spare parts' table:
And then started in on some greenstuff work both to anchor the cross-connect in place and to look like pipe weld bands or something (heavy emphasis on the 'or something'). I'll add some rivets to everything and some more effects- I have a couple of new tricks I want to try, and at least one old one:
So, with this first real session of getting some actual work done, I'm fairly pleased: I've worked with insulating foam and greenstuff, am trying a piece of terrain different to anything I've done before and trying to meet a deadline- all good goals. And if I like how it comes out,, an excuse to get some ganger figures to 'occupy' the station!
Good start Meer_Cat. There plans for a walkway across the top of the tanks?
And finally got round to uploading photos from my compact, although I probably should have done some colour correction to them first, they're not quite the right shades.
This is after the first layer of crackle has dried, and a wash of nightshade applied.
This after a second layer of crackle and a yellow wash. Wasn't acting in quite the same way as I recall from the moebius strip experiments. For now I'm putting that down to possibly using different inks. I'm wondering if I was using my W&N calligraphy inks back then.....I didn't this time because I have also found that they're not as water-resistant as some, and can blend with other layers, so I use them less now. I had to fiddle with different mixes to actually get the ink to flow and fill the cracks in the way I wanted, but even then had to apply overly heavy layers which, as you can see, have coloured everything.....previously I was getting good results with the ink just flowing through the network of cracks and filling them. My final blend here was a mix of GW washes and vallejo inks, with just a splash of Averland Sunset.
Hit it all with a couple of drybrushes of my fleshtones to bring it back close to my plan, and made a start on some red washes in places. Again I had to mix inks, washes and paint to get the flow I wanted. You can see in places that the yellow didn't take in all the cracks....not so much a bad thing as just a different thing - it's not what I wanted, but the effect is still that of damaged, oozing flesh.
Looking at the general effect. I'm not sure how effective the magnetising of the ends actually would be in a gaming scenario, I just figured it might give a bit more robustness to the overall layout, not convinced it was really worthwhile, but hey-ho
And some shots in the evening light which show a better colour. (Benefit of working in polystyrene on a boat is that the piece floats if it falls off the railing when being photographed........ ) Also show how the yellow has more tinged the entire thing than filled the cracks as intended. I'm definitely going to have to play more and make notes on how various inks/washes/paints act with the crackle......
The various tentacles will ge some subtle washes of colour on top - I was originally planning for them to be multi-coloured, but in the end figured they work better as being really the same as the main bulk....this is chaotic, but manufactured more than magical.....
Still figuring out flesh vats to be sources of the walls, but if I fail in that I at least have a modular set of walls to enter....
Hey Monkeytroll! Those are some truly disgusting barricades- and I mean that in the best possible way! I think in the end, the magnets will be seen to have been a good idea: either to help make your system flexible, or to make it more robust, as you mentioned, or both.
You betcha there's going to be a walkway across the top- defenders need elevation to fire down into the attackers, stands to reason!
I've a couple of pictures now, and hope to have some real progress to show tomorrow (maybe later tonight, if the bug holds)- almost to the point now where I can start painting (other than priming/basecoating)!
So far tonight, here's the 'fighting platform' that forms the upper deck of the promethium tank farm (it's gluing up here):
This will also have smaller tanks (a great kit from Tehnolog/Robogear) mounted up here, and railing and improvised fighting positions upon other gangers from which to snope with (ha! I love me some bad grammar!). You can see the 'two bottle cap' glued up method for making barrels in the foreground.
Here's a couple more cross struts glued in (the tanks are inverted here to get the right spacing). After everything is painted properly, I'll use greenstuff or JB Weld t permanently fasten the tanks to the struts:
Finally, these widgets are part of a set I found at Goodwill for modeling atomic structures- the angles can all interlace and the different colored balls represent protons, nuetrons and electrons. I reckon to use the angle pieces to fashion more struts for supporting the upper deck. I have enough, I think I'll try using some others to make a different piece of terrain, like an elevated walkway (I have a metric crap-ton of these things):
Once the deck is dried and primered, I can start thinking about building the improvised barricades and hardened firing points- I was afraid at first I wouldn't have much call to put rivets in, but there's going to be lots of opportunity. More follows soonest!
Dr H, you're putting a lot of detail into that piece! Love the tea pot.
monkeytroll, that's a really nice cracle effect. May I ask what brand the crackle paint is that you're using?
Meer_Cat, looking good. What do you use to glue the bottle caps together to make barrels? When I try that with superglue they don't seem to be very strong and sometimes break apart on me. Are you using JB Weld for those too?
Progress update from me:
Shaping and texturing is done. The stone texture is a mix of drywall compound (spackle), plaster of paris, sand, and wood glue. I added a few drops of black paint for contrast with the white styrafoam.
I'm satisfied with how the texturing turned out. The overall piece is a little bare on details. If I have time I'll add some accessories for the interior. Wires, pipes, a few doodads, etc.
Nice progress people.
Liking those meat-icades MT, very effective paintwork.
I've added a few more little details to mine;
A scroll for the shrine,
Some mugs,
A box (tea making things...?)
An ammo box,
Kill markings on the statue's shoulder,
Hung the gun up,
Grenades, knife and spare magazine,
Imperial eagle,
And ... Battle damage.
I have a flag to make and then it may be on to painting as most of the ideas I have left are to be done during or after painting.
Hey Cleatus- I really like how the fortress ruins are coming along- you've a good eye to have spotted that piece of terrain lurking in a styro packing bit! Michelangelo (I think) said one time that he looked at the stone and saw the statue- he then only had to remove everything that wasn't the statue and he was done. I see that here, with what you're doing. Carry on!
I used Gorilla Glue (Gel) on some bottle caps, and cheap dollar store super glue gel on some others; I've flexed them a little and so far they stay together, but I wouldn't want to test them further than that! If they do pop apart, then I'll use either greenstuff or JB Weld for sure- that'll fix 'em forever!
For three days in a row now I've kept myself on task, so here's tonight's forward progress (with more a bit later, I needed time to get the superglue scale off my fingers and for some of the more delicate connections to set up, so am blogging for a few minutes).
I started out working on the 'cracking tower' that will sit on the upper deck. This is a Russian kit, and I found it on eBay from the same guys that carry Tehnolog and Robogear. If I remember right, it cost me US$6- if you can still find these, I highly recommend you grab 'em while you can- there is so much you can do with the pieces. Not just buildings- I see potential for vehicles too. Here's at the start:
And here's where we are at the moment:
That little platform at the top, where normally the waste gas flare off vent would be located, is where a sniper can perch- good sight lines and will have some armor sheeting welded on around the edges.
Also got the main structure base coated (love me some spray can paint- gotta get an airbrush one day, I reckon):
Once all this is in place, the really fun part starts when I get to use all my junk to fashion 'hasty barricades' around the whole perimeter: crates, barrels, traffic guides, jersey walls, etc. Think Mad Max and the original (real) Road Warrior movies. Too easy.
The Chemical Plant kit has loads of useful bits, I just pulled one of mine out last night to look for useful parts to use in the flesh-vats.
SuperDukePutinTrumpMandias of Slaanesh looking good Doc...
That packaging has a great shape Cleatus - the crackle I use is from the Tim Holtz Distress line....the clear is the Clear Candy Crackle if I recall correctly. I have used a variety of colours from the range at different times, and have always been pleased with the results they give.
Small increments forward tonight, not a lot of time to work:
Got the start of the base coat on the promethium tanks- these get another wash of lightened copper and then grunge applied on top, plus that greeny, grainy gunk that Cam's so good at doing to form a patina on the copper/bronze bits:
A little more work on the cracking tower:
And this is the company that makes the atomic modeling kit (I think it must be for bio-chemistry), someone had indicated an interest:
That's it for tonight, not a lot, but wanted to show I'm still in the fight. I won't get a chance to work on it again until Monday, unfortunately, but will get myself back on task then.
I remember they had that chem set few years back, along with nifty artillery and other structures sets.
It is a toy company, the figures are made from polyethylene variants I think, and are a kin to good looking army men.
Plus, it is in RUbls currency, so very very cheap!
I wanted to get that chem set me self, but the delivery was a killer, now I do not see it on those sites.
I cant wait to see what you can make with it!!!
Meer_Cat wrote: Small increments forward tonight, not a lot of time to work:
Got the start of the base coat on the promethium tanks- these get another wash of lightened copper and then grunge applied on top, plus that greeny, grainy gunk that Cam's so good at doing to form a patina on the copper/bronze bits:
A little more work on the cracking tower:
And this is the company that makes the atomic modeling kit (I think it must be for bio-chemistry), someone had indicated an interest:
That's it for tonight, not a lot, but wanted to show I'm still in the fight. I won't get a chance to work on it again until Monday, unfortunately, but will get myself back on task then.
Good work, MCat.
Nice find on the molecular model bits. I have a different style of kit from my undergrad days, never used it for chemistry as I've always been good a visualising molecules from a drawing. Mine has also been earmarked for modelling.
I've now built the flag for my piece.
Paper base laid over the pole to get the shape I want,
Cloth over that to get the texture,
Tweaked and tattered to finish.
and it's removable.
True, that flag might have looked odd on the standing statue, but I think it's fine as it is here.
Nice work on the flag. Any ideas on a design as yet, or waiting till you start the colouring?
Good start to colour there Meer_Cat.
Started to physically play with ideas for the flesh vats now.
First one I tried. Chopped up a tube of vit-C tablets, added fans to the top, additional vat off the rear, tracks, and the extrusion nozzle. Quite like these, maybe a tad small.
Second version used a couple of party shot glasses, again with fan, additional containment vessel, tracks and nozzle.
A variation with two nozzles either side. This was one of the first extrusion ideas I had, albeit with tall narrow apertures rather than cylindrical pipes.
The second version is a bit bigger, and although this is chaos, with pressurised vats holding warp-tainted ingredients, that still feels a little better to me.
It may be that I use both....I did originally conceive the idea of a couple of secondary flesh-tanks with a larger control vat, so may push in that direction a bit.....
So onto locomotion. I had thought of walkers that settled down before extrusion processes began, which looked cool in my little mind-movies, but didn't seem to get as a static model. Sure that idea will find use somewhere though.
A track unit set completely under the main vat. Logically makes sense, feels a little ungainly (which isn't always a bad thing, but....) That could just be because I haven't found the right unit though.
Tracks built around the main tank. This feels better to me, and also brings the whole thing slightly lower, which makes sense as it's a fairly tall narrow shape.
Flying version. Makes a lot of sense, flies in, drops into position, more mobile than the tracks, so good for rapid deployment of defenses. Would have to switch out the secondary vat for this style, and figure out a landing gear type affair, but has potential.
Low rider. Presents smaller target profile than all the others, which seems sensible when you consider this is a defensive mechanism. Not feeling it as much as the others though.
And toying with potentials for a control vat, but nothing really there yet.
Thank you for the kind words, Mothsniper- I look forward to seeing how it comes out too! I have a vague idea in mind, or rather a rough structure, but the details kind of develop as they get built, so it's always a bit of a surprise to me also, what the final looks like. The Athena Command and Control Vehicle is a perfect example- roughly what I had in mind when I started, no idea it would look exactly like it does.
Hey Doc! At the time I took organic chemistry at the Academy, either they didn't have sets like these, or they were too expensive; we did one prject where we had to show double valance bonds within a molecule and we used toothpicks, pipe cleaners (the real ones not these fuzzy things that are awash in the hobby stores today- you kids get off my lawn!) and florists' styrofoam balls. I see lots of things to try with them, just need to finish the LOER project and then move forward.
Monkeytroll: Phenomenal investment in trying out all your variations- kudus on the artistic investment! Of the features you've illustrated, I like the flying one (with three rotors) the best- the landing carriage or gear will really make that design pop. The others are very good as well, but if you go with treads, I like the one with the full undercarriage, rather than the one with the track units attached at the sides. All are good however- inventive, outside the box designs!
Thank you all for the WIP shots of your projects-I'm learning a lot!
Some fantastic work on here, really enjoying all your WIPs! Slow progress here but managed a mockup of the wheel and haulage mechanism at last. C&C always appreciated.
Got sidetracked by entering a knight titan in july's painting competition, but I can finally report some progress on my bunker. The texture of the lower half is done, and I applied some first layer of paint, mostly to locate area that needed further texture work. Next step, finishing the upper half...
Awesome progress on all the other entries folks ! And damn monkeytroll, that demon barricade should have rules of its own with a move characteristic, and maybe a pink-horror like ability to split !
So here's what we've gotten done tonight- lots of little things that don't look like much, but I can feel the waterfall building and- if I stay on task- will burst in a flurry and before I know it, the project is done.
Here's the scale shot first. The tanks got another wash of copper- now it's time to start messing that nice finish up! I wish the base had a bit more room for figures, but the clipboard I used kind of dictated the footprint:
I figured a promethium processing plant (or any kind of chemical plant, for that matter) needed a computerized control station to run it from, and I didn't have one. But I had some bits:
And now I have one. The heavy stubber with anti-aircraft shoulder grips is actually a Tehnolog (love that company!) simple kit with some extra gubbins glued on:
I also wanted a gun tower- something that looked like it had been welded together by somebody who knew what they were doing, but using improvised parts. The bits I used included parts from a Robogear set, a toothpaste cap, a mineral supplement syringe we use for our Shetland ponies and the inevitable and ubiquitous greenstuff:
And now I have a gun tower:
Tomorrow I hope to get some paint on some of these, start laying down the improvised barricades at the ground level and maybe finish the cracking tower part (with its attached sniper's eyrie). We'll see what tomorrow brings!
I admit I have been slacking, I may have run out of creativity on this one for a bit, but I should be able to finish on time, just have the interior to add some stuff to.
Thanks Dr H !
Made some progress earlier, by applying plaster to the buttresses. A plastic bag separates the two parts, but should let the top half dry into shape and stay in place on its own.
Love what you're getting done, Kernel! I like messing about with plaster/stucco to get a real, gritty concrete look also- well done!
Here's what's gotten done tonight:
I was looking at the clipboard fiberboard base, and I really like how the grey shading (accidently) came out, but it was looking too clean cut, too fresh poured concrete to be a proper industrial site, so I went to work jacking it up. I drew some cracks with fine point Sharpie pen and started scraping them with a mold line remover I got from Micro Mark (as a scribing tool, it works very well):
Here's the finished shot of the whole platform. The big blank areas you see will actually be covered by other items, so no need to scribe them:
Next, I'm kind of anxious to get the tanks part of the chemical plant installed on the board- so many other things can't be measured out properly until that happens. So I drybrushed the concrete 'plinth' that the tanks are on to help distinguish them from the also grey platform, painted the tank tops pavement grey and dry brushed them gun metal grey, added some bronze to what will be a spigot on the front and then started dripping Puzzle Saver stuff (it's really just a type of PVC glue, thinned- I got this from the dollar store); this'll get painted and shaded suitably bilious shades of glowing green to represent nuclear waste leakage:
Also got the base painting done on the heavy stubbers and drybrushed some gun metal grey and added bronze bits (still need to add heat burn to the muzzle and drill them out, and have to whip up some drum magazines to add to the sides:
And built another gun tower. The first one was just slightly too small to fit a heavy weapons team on a 60mm base onto- so to game it, it will accommodate a special weapon. This one will hold a 60mm base. I'll probably wind up using both on this project:
And, mostly to be able to say I did, I officially glued the first bit down to the platform for the improvised barricades. This huge crate is actually one of the Star Wars toys games that unfold into a little playmat game thing; closed up it is this crate. I spray painted it grey, hit it with ersatz nuln oil, found it was 'way too close in color to every other grey thing around it, so added a lot of white dry brushing. I may have to hit it with some rust to make it even a bit more different yet:
I'm enjoying the momentum now on this project and am looking forward to what I can get done tomorrow (if all goes to plan). Your input always welcome.
Aaaaand here's tonight's lot. A _lot_ of freehand painting that I was hoping to avoid, but the other method didn't work, so not a lot of other things to report. Repainted the muzzles on the heavy stubber silver- to better show the muzzle burn, rather than the bronze/brass that I used originally.
Found these stencils at Michael's hobby/art shop for US$3, they're one inch tall and I'll use them to add some industrial looking markings to the chem plant:
Added some more drips to the tanks and glued the whole assembly down onto the base (from here on, everything gets detailed on the base piece itself- or as much as I can manage; I'm hoping to get my desk top back):
I got these car barriers (what we call 'jersey walls' after the great state of New Jersey which seems to have them all over the place) off eBay some time ago and want to use them as part of the improvised barricades. As you can see, the molding is screaming to have hazard stripes added. I figured to use the art/trim masking tape as a quick easy way to do the black stripes in the lower relief stripes, and then I'd freehand the yellow. Unfortunately, I seem to have purchased trim tape that was surplus to a NASA space launch and is tougher than the hubs of Hades- I couldn't cut it neatly even with a brand new blade in my hobby knife:
So I freehanded both the black and the yellow stripes:
I'll add one more layer of yellow paint to smooth those stripes out and then grime 'em up with weathering powders. I hate working with yellow, because I have to lay a base coat of white, then thin the yellow and then do multiple layers to get an even coat (first world problems, I know- somebody call the waaaah-mbulance! ).
I hope to have some time tomorrow to work, and I'll start layering the chemical leak colors, finish the jersey walls and get them glued down, add stenciled numerals to the upper platform and maybe even get started on the control console.
First up, the chemical leaks from the tanks- this is three layers of Modge-Podge white glue stuff and then three different shades of greens and red/oranges:
I also managed to get some other bits fastened down, like the big drain pipe in the center (with its greenstuff collar that needs rivets) and the tarp on the right with the gears leaning against it:
And now here's a shot with the jersey walls in place (they need weathering- I ran out of time to do that, and maybe some light ersatz-nuln wash, but otherwise good to go, I think):
I really think, with this lot done, that I can glue the upper deck in place and start really wroking on getting the cracking tower sorted out. There's still the rest of the barricades, but I've got a ton of junk lined up for that. And thanks to sveamore, I've got some terrific signage to put up- I scaled them out on photo paper and printed out two sheets worth- that's going to be fun! The problem will be getting enough flat surfaces to hang everything up!
Good progress, KernelTerror.
I found a good way to give plaster a nice texture while doing my "crash" piece, lightly tapping the wet surface of the plaster with my finger; it pulls the surface up into peaks, kind of like an artex ceiling.
Spoiler:
Good work M'Cat. Coming together well.
I forgot to show you all here the primed piece, and have since moved on. So here's the next stage, painting the statue.
Went a bit more up-market than basic stone... 'coz he's worth it...
Looks great Kernel - the split levels are really interesting to me.
Coming together nicely Meer_Cat last few updates have sped through. Agree that the haz-barricades look sweet, looking forward to seeing them get hit with a bit of weathering. The toxic leaks feel a little bright to me against the rest of the piece so far, but they are toxic goo, and that is purely a personal preference.
I take your point about the chem leak being too bright, Monkeytroll. Originally though, I was going to do just a single wash of copper, so semi-translucent- mount LEDs inside each tank and mask where the leak on the outside wasn't- but on the inside, so the light would shine through the leak material and _really_ glow. Unfortunately, one of my self-set goals for this project was too make the contest deadline, and I don't think I could've swung all that and still got in under the wire.
I need to see how bright that stuff looks when the upper deck is in place- it'll be a bit shadowed and then maybe the leak will be the right amount of bright. We'll see!
The basic process I did was to start with a mid-grey and then heavily over-brush / dry-brush white over that, leaving recesses and the very bottom areas: This gives some shadow that is not required for the furniture in the tutorial.
I didn't worry about getting an even finish on the white as it's meant to be uneven to look more natural.
I then used a sand colour (fairly watered down) to paint wide (~5mm) streaks across/around the pieces. These were blurred / blended in while wet with more white (heavy dry-brush loaded brush).
These are meant to be very subtle.
Let that dry.
I then used a dark grey to do the fine lines, following a picture I found of my chosen marble, and these were also blurred with the white, as above.
This was more uneven in the blurring, some areas were more heavily brushed over with the white than others.
And then some of the "junctions" of the grey veins were darkened more by a little more dark grey, sometimes with a little more back-and-fourth with the white.
Then a satin varnish to finish. (this will get toned down a bit more in the weathering stage).
For most of the time, I thought that the dark veins were too harsh and too numerous... until I varnished it and took photos.
Don't be put off part way through.
The basic process I did was to start with a mid-grey and then heavily over-brush / dry-brush white over that, leaving recesses and the very bottom areas: This gives some shadow that is not required for the furniture in the tutorial.
I didn't worry about getting an even finish on the white as it's meant to be uneven to look more natural.
I then used a sand colour (fairly watered down) to paint wide (~5mm) streaks across/around the pieces. These were blurred / blended in while wet with more white (heavy dry-brush loaded brush).
These are meant to be very subtle.
Let that dry.
I then used a dark grey to do the fine lines, following a picture I found of my chosen marble, and these were also blurred with the white, as above.
This was more uneven in the blurring, some areas were more heavily brushed over with the white than others.
And then some of the "junctions" of the grey veins were darkened more by a little more dark grey, sometimes with a little more back-and-fourth with the white.
Then a satin varnish to finish. (this will get toned down a bit more in the weathering stage).
For most of the time, I thought that the dark veins were too harsh and too numerous... until I varnished it and took photos.
Don't be put off part way through.
Thanks for this, I'm trying to paint some black marble veined with white at the moment and I was reasonably happy with it until I saw yours Looks really natural and realistic and I like the way your piece tells a story.
Hello all- I'm back, after several busy days helping at my mother's house in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. I'm still worn out, but got myself back on task tonight to get some more work done, and as ever, once I sat down and actually touched a paintbrush- the time just flew.
I started weathering the jersey walls- this is a thinned black wash on the back panels (I'm fixing to add some graffitti and maybe some poster on this side) and I'll use some weathering powders on the other, hazard stripe, side:
On the base itself (nearly ready to glue down the second deck platform) I dulled the toxic waste leaks with some washes of green and red- I think the resulting look is a little more like what I was going for. I also painted the greenstuff tarp on the right hand corner blue (a thin wash of acrylic hobby paint) and added another gear to the pile. You can also see the start of some 'oil' stains on the cracked pavement- I've a couple of more layers to add to finish those:
I also started weathering/rusting the control console, and thanks to sveamore I have a cool poster to mount in that big blank spot on the left. You can also see the start of the rubble filled astro-barrels that will form part of the barricades:
And lastly, I primed and started painting up this extra storage tank. It came as a Matchbox pack with an armored vehicle and scaled out perfectly; it will also (probably) wind up as part of the barricade- not sure if on the ground level or on the upper deck:
So, that's it for now. I enjoyed being home, but I'm glad to be back at this project, too. More follows soonest!
Only a small update tonight- not a lot of time to work:
Hazard stripe side of the jersey walls- before and after dirt dusting:
Jersey walls glued down to the base (they'll get spritzed later with one more light coat of dollar store hairspray and about three drops of black ink):
That crate in the corner is going to get an armored surround, by the way.
And the big thing was gluing, priming and prepping to paint multiple barrels for the next stage of the lower barricade (plus the two gun tower support posts):
More follows soonest- and I'm glad briancj mentioned this contest- I'm having a blast and I ight even make the deadline!
Beautiful solid build ONM - but then I expect no less from you
Great work, and great marble Doc
Progressing at a rate of knots M_C, and those barricades look great, whole thing looks like a lot of fun.
Hoping to make progress with the flesh-vats this weekend, but I can feel a few distractions in the air (received a care package from graven, and accidentally picked up my Pholus rhino from ONM the other day as I found some Inq doors).........Still have a long weekend to go after this one though, and if worse case comes I have at least finished the flesh walls themselves, the vats are just the added spice
No problem, Orsino. Always willing to share methods.
and thanks.
Thanks and no prob's, KernelTerror.
The mud n' rocks (some of which will be made whiter to be marble rubble) are on, as are most of the metals (there's a few small pieces that still need doing).
Old rusty metal plate, and I had to get some hazard stripes in somewhere.
The mechanicus cog piece is painted to be a concrete slab with steel and then brass around it.
Weathering, and therefore streaking on things like the bullet holes, still to do after all the little bits... and there's still the flag...
Looking good Kernel, seems it'll be pretty intimidating with the second layer on. (Although obviously not as big as Tek's super fast, super-high work )
Coming together nicely now Doc, look forward to the weathering.
Tiny progress, but progress:
Tracks are staying attached to the side of the vats, but they are getting a cover unit just above them....a bit of both options Squares cut from 1mm plasticard then my trusty circle cutter used to remove....a circle!
And, although my circle cutter was trusty, my measurements weren't quite, and so a tiny bit of shaving and filing was required to get them to slip over the tubes
Eyeballed measurements for the side parts, and cut front and back pieces to fit the different sides.
And started to bring detailing down from the vent controls.
Also started work on the potential Master-Vat.
This is the container vessel (ping-pong ball, a piece of plastic tubing, and the lid from the tube used for the vats), which, if it goes on a similar body to the other two vats, will be placed directly above rather than to the side. It'll probably get different, bigger, tracks to compensate for the bigger ball. In fact....I think I have just spotted the right tracks.....hmmmm
Whoo-whee, so many good project photos. Nice work folks!
As for me, I got a little side-tracked with Kill Team (fun!), but I'm back to it.
I made some scatter terrain liven up my piece. Misc containers, a box that will probably be some sort of instrument panel, and a work bench.
I decided that square or round containers were boring, so I crafted some hexagon and octagon containers. Seems more sci-fi.
Here's a quick WIP assembly photo that shows how I made them:
Spoiler:
And here's one of the small containers painted up with some rust effects:
It's taking a long time to get the actual chunk of terrain painted, but I'm chipping away at it. I have primed and base-coated the whole thing in black. Just finished touch-ups on the crevices this morning. The dry brushing should go pretty quickly, will start on that this afternoon. I might add in some other tones (browns, reds, etc.) to give the stone more variation. Keep it interesting. Depends on time of course. August is starting to run out quick!
Hey Cleatus- those hex boxes were exactly what I was looking for when I started my project! I won't swipe the idea now (really, too far along with the unfortunate round astro-barrels) but I'll be using it in my next build- great work! The rust is excellent, too.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Small progress on the flesh-vats
Interestingly, I did these slightly different to my previous methods. I have previously glued the end of the strip down with pva, then pinned it, to hold it in place and create rivets, then covered it all in pva.
This tme I glued and covered in pva first then pinned.
And this time:
May be something other than the order I did these in, but not seen that compression around the pins before...
And attaching them to the vats, with attachment method shown.
Looking good MT! And I don't even play that disgusting faction!
Tonight, more about barrels, and getting things jump-started towards getting finished and not buried in fun sidebars. Looking at the calendar, I have maybe seven working days, with at most an hour or so each to work, to get this wrapped up.
I think I've come up with a variation for the bottle cap astro-barrel, using these components:
Clip the ring off the milk carton pull, and start gluing pieces together (I'm using dollar store gel superglue- cyanacrolite- and it seems to be holding for now):
If you invert the bottom cap so that some are flat bottomed and some are hollow:
Then you have some barrels that can be laid over on their sides or- you can stack them:
I'll be stacking a row of various barrels as I want a parapet. Here's what they look like painted with a spray on base coat of tan or grey and then a top coat of cheap 'chalk' hobby paint. I love this stuff, it has a bit of a gritty texture and the colors are imo perfect for battered shipping barrels. In the foreground you see barrels that have been opened/sawn in half, to show that they all are filled with rubble for weight to repel boarders and to act as a bullet dump. These form 'space gabions' for defense and the cap is filled with sand, then has all the loose bits and bobs on my desk dropped on and is then flooded with dilute white glue to set up hard:
I'll apply some of what I learned during my 'Study in Rust' project to paint them up.
Finally, tonight I've applied some number decals to the upper deck- just couldn't get the stencil to work the way I wanted- maybe with a gentle airbrush instead of spray cans or brushes. And before I crash for the evening I'm going to hit it with rust and 'industrial weathering solution':
The smudges at the far end are from trying to use hobby pens to fill in the stencil, but should be all good once the other goop hits it.
And that's it for tonight- I'll be happy when the barrel phase is complete (hopefully tomorrow) and I can start the cracking tower getting in place and working on the gate and gun towers.
Meer_Cat, nice containers. You're getting a lot of mileage out of those bottle caps.
monkeytroll, I love those spheres. Very clever.
Thanks for the compliments on the rust guys! Very much appreciated. Nothing new, just paint applied with a sponge. But thanks all the same!
Made some more progress on my LoER terrain comp entry:
1st highlight. Drybrush with a 2:1 mix of gray and black.
2nd highlight. This time, just a drybrushing of gray.
I went a little too heavy on the gray in that middle section, will need to clean that up later. Probably stipple in some black or something.
Oh yeah, and I finished the scatter terrain containers:
For the yellow and green containers on the right I applied burnt umber with a sponge to get the rust effect. I tried the same thing for the red and blue containers on the left but it came out too dark. So I decided to drybrush them with a mix of orange and white to highlight the edges. I also tried applying some Vallejo rust effects wash to all of the containers, but honestly it just came out a little orange. You can kind of see it on the larger yellow container in the back. It's OK, serves as a nice compliment to the burnt umber sponge effect, but not really what I was expecting. For contrast I added a dark black ink wash to the gaps between the body of the containers and the lids. It ran in a few places, but eh... we'll call that oil or something.
Also cranked out a few more pieces of scatter terrain while watching TV. I really need to stop. But it feels so good!
I'm cooking now. One more pass of drybrushing on the main terrain piece, add some color and shading, maybe a few wires and tubes. Then I'll paint up the rest of the scatter terrain. Promise. No more building. For now.
OK, this might be the last update I post until final pictures, or perhaps one more as I get the cracking tower done, so the pics are sort of all over the place. I'm really humping to make the deadline next week, and I believe I will make it (no extensions Cam- us procrastinators need some guidelines in the real world!).
Here's the upper deck with its first layer of grunge added:
Things in various stages of basecoating (yes, we have repurposed a pair of decommissioned spacecraft blast doors as part of the barricade):
These are castings from the Hirst Arts Trench and Sandbag set- I'll be using them as firing steps at certain spots along the barricades. Basecoat of spray Rustoleum grey, heavy top coat of brown, wash of ersatz Agrax Earthshade and still to come a light top drybrushing of peach:
Here's the control station I modified from a rhino or land raider bit (couldn't resist the whimsy):
This tank is from the Matchbox set, with a tank of some kind; settled on Pavement Black for the main color because I spilled some (on my blotter) earlier and hated to waste it, so used it. The hazard stripe came on the original toy and the combustible placard is from the set of signs Sveamore graciously provided. All signage everywhere will get weathered a bit- and this placard particularly- once the white glue has set- will get soaked in solvaset/decal fix and then the tips glued down flat:
These rusted bits of corrugated iron are made from the liner of a cookie box (cheap ones), base coated spray Rustoleum grey and then hit with a lavish coat of Micromark rust and black. They'll get hung on the railings of the heavy and special weapons platforms to act as additional armor:
These next shots are of the (almost) finished ground floor of the chem plant- everything needs dirtying up, of course:
So, what's left? Very thin wash of black ink/ersatz Nuln Oil over everything, more signage, the cracking tower, the upper deck armor, the sniper's roost, seal it all with matt varnish and then dust it with every color weathering powder I own (I have a set with something like 15 shades for doing model railroad cars, so lots) and a ladder for troops to get from ground to upper deck. If time permits, hazard striping in the usual places and some sort of mechanical apparatus in the corner where the gears are laying, to give them a reason for being there.
Thank you for looking in, I welcome your suggestions and critiques. Almost there! More follows soonest.
I should finish, if I don't it'll be my own fault.
Passed over the model with the airbrush a few times, needs a cleanup in parts. Then I need to go in with a brush to add a few details, like maybe some hazard stripes on the floor at the entrance.
Cam': I'm nearly there, should finish in time, myself. No problems with an extension if other's require it.
M'Cat: I tend to stipple with a dry-brushing brush over my stencils (that I make from paper as one-use things). I find the rough finish, as with any bleed/smudging/smears, helps it look more like a stencil. If I wanted it neat, I'd use a transfer.
Good scatter pieces, Cleatus. Main piece looks good too.
Looking good, KernelTerror
Good work OMN.
Forgot to show this update here, so you get a two'fr Candles (red for the Imperium) and OSL
and more details:
Still to finish the flag, add some grass, and then weathering... Even I can't make that last a week.
Thanks for the tip Doc- I may still get a chance to employ it on this build!
ALCON: Lot of _really_ good looking projects here- lots for me to make notes on to try on my next one! Thanks all for the knowledge, examples and inspiration
Doc - As always, your detailing brings it all to life. Nice subtle osl.
I'm good with time Cam - the walls are done, the flesh-vats are my bonus additions, but I should see them done too.
Detailing added (excuse the wonk)
Control panel, couple of panels to break up areas - probably needed more, but hey-ho - the ever-important rivets, and realised it needed some skulls, so that became the outlet...the flesh is 'vomited' from the skull jaws.
And base colours down. Switched out from an all-metallic scheme at the last second, going from contrast with the flesh walls to blending in. Still deciding on how much weathering will take place, somewhere between medium and heavy is my guess.
Not going to get the master-vat done, so shelved that for now, I suspect it may become a tool of the Nurgle forces....
Need to do the control panels and a few more drips/stains.....but calling them done otherwise.
Don't know why but didn't enjoy painting these after base coat at all. Felt like a chore, and didn't like the results. Obviously a few years off has not improved my techniques Heavy sponge of greys and browns, then silver over the red - which looked terrible, so pulled it back with a sponge of the red, but it's not what I was after at all. Lining and highlighting metals all seemed messy and painful too, by the time I got to the verdigris I was really not happy, and it shows. Normally that's my cue to shelve it for a while, but I did want to get these done to add to the walls.
Maybe I'll come back and redo them at some future point, if only to practice my weathering.
For now, finish those details then hope I get a good evening this week to take photos, and prepare them for Cam. Guess I should use my real camera and actually process the pics this time around too (probably won't though)
I thought the weathering was really good, MT- and want to ask you how you did the verdigris? I've got these whopping great copper tanks that are entirely too clean compared to everything else!
Lots done tonight, but no pics- I'm nearly done. I'll use all the time left to the deadline to embellish, but the basic project is nearly complete, with weathering applied, 'gunkification', the cracking tower nearly complete, lots of signage added and the movable barrier that acts as a gate done. Had to build another ladder for the lookout/sniper's roost as well. Making tiny barbed wire is right b***h, I may use some store bought stuff instead.
This has been a lot of fun, and I look forward to receiving your constructive criticism when I'm able to post final pics probably Wednesday.
Cheers M_C. Just the fact that I wasn't enjoying it, and I know I could have done better.
The verdigris is just a couple of dilute washes made from various greens and blues, applied in an entirley too haphazard fashion this time around, then use a light drybrush of copper to bring it back a bit.
I just sent Cam my final pics. Good luck everyone.
@Meer_Cat, keep pushing to the end, I'm glad you're close. Keep up the good work.
@KernelTerror: I know you're close to finishing, if you haven't yet, good luck!
Thanks MonkeyTroll ! Nice weathering on your heretical machines, not sure why you are unhappy with them, as pics look good !
Cheers Syro_, looking forward to seeing the final result of your build ! Not much left to do on my end indeed, I am on my way to apply one of the final washes !
Wow, so much progress by everyone! After I finish my piece I'll need to come back and give all of this another look. I'm closing in on the finish but I probably need 1-2 more painting sessions to wrap up. No newer picts to show unfortunately, been a little busy.
Cam, I might need an extension... between work and school having just started up again it's chaos around here. Any objections to extending the deadline through the weekend?
@Cam: Congrats on running what (fingers crossed), is looking like another successful round, I've seen some really great work from so many people this round. Practice makes perfect as they say.
Really enjoyed seeing what people have come up with in this round. Great work everyone, still some time for those who haven't finished, so hurry up make Cam's choice harder!
I'm in- selected pics going to Cam now and everything I took with my cheap little camera over on my Thread. My thanks are many and heartfelt:
* briancj for telling me about the contest
* Cam for running it and the tip about how to make washes
* Insaniak for the tip about the hazard striping tape- SOOOOO much easier!
* Sveamore for all the minefield and industrial signs and posters
* Monkeytroll for advice on how to tone down the chem leaks- make 'em look less cartoonish
* Doc H for advice on taking photos (I'm getting alittle better, I think)
* All y'all for the encouragement, guidance, inspiration and presence; it's nice to be part of a gang again
Good showing everyone. Eager to see all the results together.
Interesting that you mention that KernelTerror, mines pretty heavy for the small size of it's footprint; quite a lot of solid plaster in the statue pieces and polyfilla across the base. I've built larger things that don't weigh anywhere near as much.
Here are some late progress pics I took yesterday. Finally got them uploaded today.
I may have gone a little overboard with the oxidation and rust in some places.
What's that glow? Oh yeah, it's lava. Because... why not?
Mad scientist consoles and widgets are base coated, just need some highlights.
I'll also need to decide where to actually put the scatter in the terrain piece too for the final photos.
Like this?
Or like this?
I just need a little more time to finish painting the scatter, and maybe a few touch ups and highlights on the body of the terrain. Then I'll be taking my final photos tonight.
Bah, I made such a good start but have not done an ounce of hobby stuff for the last while with real life. I've been lurking around and everything looks amazing. Fair play guys
@Dr H: Fair enough, I just weighed my bunker, and it totals at around 6 kilos. As is stands on a 60*40cm base, I end up at a normalized weight of 25 Kg/m².
Amongst all the interesting, clever and frankly wild ideas and techniques I've seen here over the past month (I got in late): Curse you all! I had a quite full list of projects already- and now I've got easily a dozen new things to try!
More seriously, thank you all for the education and inspiration- it is never dull here in Dakkaworld.
It was great having you participate Meer_Cat! (Thanks Briancj). Another thing you are probably worried about is that these are hard to give up. Once you do one, you are usually hooked
Final Entries for the League of Extraordinary Riveters Terrain Competition Round #26.
Theme: Hold the Line!
With the aim of producing a usable piece of terrain, but mainly pushing yourself, trying and learning new techniques. And above all have fun.
Here, in no particular order, are the finished entries for the competition.
Cleatus
Dr.H.
KernelTerror
Meer_Cat
Front:
Right side (sorry, couldn't figure out how to rotate it):
Back:
Left side:
Monkeytroll
OneManNoodle
Syro
Tek Thornison
Hope I have not missed anyone. Thank you all for entering whether you finished or not, thank you, and if you managed to finish well done. We are not a large group, but we are true to our cause and now you have dipped your proverbial toe you will be hooked.
Good luck Cam'.
You know we like the nit-picking. It helps us all grow.
KernelTerror wrote:@Dr H: Fair enough, I just weighed my bunker, and it totals at around 6 kilos. As is stands on a 60*40cm base, I end up at a normalized weight of 25 Kg/m².
Your move good sir ^^ !
Oh right, we're going there are we?
Let's see here...
At 207g (good thing I did go with the hollow plinth of foamboard), and a base of roughly (it's a odd shape, I'm assuming a triangle with a base of 130mm and height of 200mm) 0.013m².
That gives me 15.9Kg/m².
So you have me beat there. 6Kg...
Ahahaha, thanks for playing along ^^, it is true your base shape did not make for an easy calculation. Don't worry though, I'm pretty sure you'll win best marble texture at least !
Well what a fantastic competition, thank you all for your efforts.
I am going to give the results in a moment, but first I want to thank everyone involved, whether you started an entry or have just followed along, thank you.
The main aims of these contests are to push ourselves and try new things. To share ideas and techniques. And to have some fun. A wonderful by-product is you end up at least having started a nice new piece of terrain toward your collection.
Now the winner, it was close, real close. I have spent days pouring over your final entries. With some remarkable pieces to work through and a high level of skills being shown, trust me this has been tough.
Winner is……Monkeytroll. The work on this piece with excellent detailing and the fact that it is such a usable and dynamic piece of terrain, really pushed the bar high. Monkeytroll experimented to try and achieve a quite remarkable finish on the various pieces. I have followed Monkeytrolls work for some time, and he has done many impressive pieces, but this one, for me is amazing, love the concept, and love the execution. Well done sir, well done.
The Public Vote winner is… Dr.H. Another excellent piece. Brilliant work, well executed, and kudos to you sir, bragging rites bestowed.
Again I want to say, this was very close. All the entries had merits, making it very hard to judge.
Please let me know if you would like any critique either here or privately.
Good work everyone, I for one am always happy to have any critiques posted publicly
And Wow.....just wow!
I truly wasn't expecting to get anywhere near in this round, probably because I was so unhappy with the work on the vats, but mainly because there was some very high quality on show here.
Congrats on the public vote Doc, well deserved indeed. And congrats to all who finished, and those that participated.
I'll try and come up with a suitable next round by the weekend....
Congratulations to you monkeytroll ! This is a well deserved vicotry with such a mad creation. The level of insanity that reigns in your blog make me especially eager to participate to the following round, whatever you have in mind !
Well done to you too Dr H, that statue truly is a masterpiece. May this vote be of comfort when I know all you really wanted was "Heaviest Entry per square meter".
Congrats to all other entries, amazing set of terrain, and the work in progress in this blog was truly educative and inspirational.
On my end, I got an impressive final score of 0 votes, but that's allright ^^. I did not end up having the time to add any of the rivets I originally planned, in a LoER thread, so that's on me.
Last but not least, Thanks a lot Camhierki for a great choice of topic, the organization the final ruling, and the great encouragement from you in this thread all along these three month. I would definitely be interested in C&C from you on my bunker !
[award accepting voice]They love me, they really love me...[/silliness]
Congratulations to MT. I really liked the fleshy look you got to your wall. It even got my vote.
Thanks for the votes. *bows*
And congratulations again, to all that finished. As we say around here; you have just made your own prize.
to those that didn't finish, keep at it and show us when you find the time.
Well done Cam'. Another good round, well run. You can relax now that the judging is over, until you win again. As always, give me the harsh thrashing in public. That's how I like it.
And congratulations to DrH for winning the public vote, I was away for the public vote so didn't get a chance to vote but, judging by the finished entries I can see it would have been tough to decided who not to vote for (baring myself ofc).
Really well done everyone, looking forward to seeing you all again in the next round!
OK so we have a new competition up already and you lot better get over there and enrol.
Critique........
Warning these are my thoughts only and by no means any thing like brilliant insights and as such may be ignored....
Monkeytroll, since you won and you where the first to ask.....
To be honest it is really hard to pick holes in this, I would say though the idea kinda dictates that the "wall" is uniform, but I would like to have seen a little more variety, maybe a slight decaying on some sections. I definitely think you could have added detail to the bases better, maybe even an effect of the greenery being rotted. I find it funny that you didn't like the vats, but to me they are brilliant and close to perfect. It was a great idea well executed, with play-ability and the fact that it could be used in many ways that made the difference. All the entrance had really great points, you just managed to tick a few extra boxes.
Kernel Terror.....
Really great effort, welcome to the insanity. Please do not be discouraged. Honestly you did great work, playable and a solid piece, be happy to play on. It may be that your table is a desolate wasteland, so it would fit perfectly, but one thing that would have pushed this up would be a variation in the terrain. Some vegetation, different textures, maybe it was once concrete and the surroundings where mud, or tarmac, at the moment it all looks a bit samey. Also a bit more definition, you did well, but for instance the "heads" are almost shaped but not quite, would be nice to see a little definition. Over all this is a great piece, really want to see more from you. Spend a little more time on detailing, and think a little about the surroundings, you will seriously be getting there.
Dr H...
Beautiful. Honestly. Beautiful. Would be great on any tabletop. Was a bloody close thing. The swinger was interactivity. (wow that is a word!) I like the whole thing in many ways, but in the end it would only be a lump on the table, admittedly a very pretty lump, maybe an objective. Although I liked the over all brilliance, a couple little things let you down. Given that I hold you to a higher standard, as I would be expected to be as well. Your hazard stripes need to be a bit crisper, in so far as they look like you painted them on, not a man at scale painted them on, and to me they would be sprayed on. And your notices are very clean, I get they maybe new, but a bit of weathering on the posters would have sold them a bit better. It is funny really, overall the piece is too clean for me, does that make sense? You know you have done an absolutely brilliant job here yet again, and I want to see you in the next competition as well, you set a very high bar bud. But being mega picky I think you can do better, hope it helps.
Just a quick note here, to those others who have not asked for critique, honestly guys this was really hard judging, so many great details. Loads of really great ideas. Some of you, I know could have done better, and others did way better than I thought. All of you did really great. General note to all would be keep it simple, (hark who is talking!) Some of you did lots of stuff, and the quality paid for it, do less but better.
I think it would be great in the future to see your pieces in a contextual picture, on your table, I have marked folks down not having vegetation or variety in their pieces, but that may be part of their set up.
Thank you all for so much of your time and efforts and really want to see you in this next round.
Thanks Cam'.
Those hazard stripes were a right bugger to do as well, immediately regretted them after the first line; tricky shape to go around (I-beam), cramped surroundings to get a brush in, and painted things all around them. Did not want to revisit them, as I might have done if they were easy to get to.
For weathering: I didn't want it too dirty as the occupant would have kept it fairly clean, but certainly the poster on the rusty metal plate could have done with some rust stains.
It's always interesting to compare someone else's view of your work with your own view. With the vats I enjoyed the build, but really hated the painting, and that coloured my whole view of them. I also felt I could have done more to the them in with the walls, maybe some dripping flesh from the nozzles, or a piece of wall made that attached to them.
Good points on basing and variety.
Although there is a certain regularity required by the idea, I had put some touches in like the odd tentacle (obviously ) and hole, so there certainly was room for more of that.
Not sure I would have gone with decaying greenery, most of my basing is urban battlefield or rubble type terrain, but there was definitely room for more details and attention in the actual bases, maybe even basing the vats themselves.
Camkierhi wrote: OK so we have a new competition up already and you lot better get over there and enrol.
Kernel Terror.....
Really great effort, welcome to the insanity. Please do not be discouraged. Honestly you did great work, playable and a solid piece, be happy to play on. It may be that your table is a desolate wasteland, so it would fit perfectly, but one thing that would have pushed this up would be a variation in the terrain. Some vegetation, different textures, maybe it was once concrete and the surroundings where mud, or tarmac, at the moment it all looks a bit samey. Also a bit more definition, you did well, but for instance the "heads" are almost shaped but not quite, would be nice to see a little definition. Over all this is a great piece, really want to see more from you. Spend a little more time on detailing, and think a little about the surroundings, you will seriously be getting there.
Thanks a lot for this feedback Camhierki, this is really useful going into the next challenge. I do not argue with your remarks resolution and detailing, while I did ran short on time, these aspects could have been planned from the start. So I'll keep that in mind for the next round, for which I am also building a dark wasteland piece !
Loving watching this contest evolve, as League Lurker. Keep it up gang! 
but, judging by the finished entries I can see it would have been tough to decided who not to vote for (baring myself 