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Do you guys put as much detail work into terrain as you do units? I just finished a set of ruins tonight and started on the administratum building. While I’m quite pleased with my ruins, I can’t help but wonder... in a hobby where a lot of people don’t even paint their minis, is doing more than a rushed minimum on terrain overkill? I mean...the kits cost as much as any other plastic crack, but they don’t fill out an army list.

I want everything to look good so I do. I can understand people who just want something on the table ASAP but I enjoy the painting and the detail is there on the GW terrain so why not?

To me personally, any potential attractiveness in GW tabletop gaming comes from a holistic experience, the gold standard being nicely done miniatures (doesn't have to be perfect as long as everything is painted to at least some degree) as well as gorgeous looking terrain.

I don't understand people who obsess over the look of their minis but are content on playing on fugly/goofy looking tables. To me, it's all or nothing. If I'd be content on playing on a barren table with a few "orrible bits of yaks tail & stryrofoam", why would I bother spending serious change on the miniatures?

I think I've already spent more money on GW terrain kits than on my actual armies hehe

I like to do a good.standard regardless of whether its terrain or not. However I also dont want to spend a year just on one piece. So I probably end up doing the same amount of detail, just spread over a larger piece.

The trick is finding a good technique that leads to results that you are happy with in a time frame that is satisfying. No good having something that lingers on the painting table for ages like a bad smell as you can lose enthusiasm. Better to get something largely done, but with an opportunity to go back to over time and add more.detail.of you want. Also look into larger scale techniques like drybrushing sponging and use of transfers and stickers to get simple but effective detailing and effects.

I like to do a good standard but don't go crazy on the details.
To me terrain is a backdrop, and like any good backdrop it shouldn't detract from the subject (the models).

I tend to use (literal) broad brush techniques for terrain (sponge stippling, 2” dry brushing, etc.), with a few details then picked out. I like it to look good, but I also prefer a more impressionistic style rather than super detailed, so that it doesn’t detract from the miniatures. It literally fades into the background.


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By impressionistic I mean “looks great from a few feet away, but is a horrible, unfinished, mess up close”!

Finished the first two panels. It's a lot of work, but I'm loving the result.





It even makes a good backdrop for the other model I finished today! (yes, I see that on the helmet. Touchup pending!)

Finished the long side of the first floor

 kirotheavenger wrote:
I like to do a good standard but don't go crazy on the details.
To me terrain is a backdrop, and like any good backdrop it shouldn't detract from the subject (the models).

Terrain is a backdrop, for sure, but I don't skimp on the details for that. I like use colour to make something a backdrop. My terrain is very dark coloured and monochromatic, so the more colourful and contrasted minis pop against the dark background regardless of detail.

> It's a lot of work, but I'm loving the result.

That's always the problem, ennit?

Keep up the good work! I don't put much effort into terrain, but haven't painted GW terrain yet. I swear, GW plastic is nothing but work to paint, regardless of miniature, terrain, or what have you!

 tauist wrote:

 kirotheavenger wrote:
I like to do a good standard but don't go crazy on the details.
To me terrain is a backdrop, and like any good backdrop it shouldn't detract from the subject (the models).

Terrain is a backdrop, for sure, but I don't skimp on the details for that. I like use colour to make something a backdrop. My terrain is very dark coloured and monochromatic, so the more colourful and contrasted minis pop against the dark background regardless of detail.

Contrast...that's the key. A very dark coloured mini won't pop against dark coloured terrain. That's why the interior walls of my buildings are a lighter colour. I see your point about a monochromatic paint scheme, though.