Helldorado: Basing Help

[matty1001]

Started this model, but really stuck on the basing.
At the moment I have built all the slate up inside the plinth (the plinth was recessed, kinda gets a multilayered effect as the slates spill over the lip) and painted them in a sandy/dusty colour.

But i\'m not sure if anything else is needed, Iv tried putting bits of flocks on, but they all look a bit, odd.
I\'m also playing with the idea of a dead tree in the background.
And, a possibility of snow?

I really just need an outside opinion on this as I don\'t want the base to become crowded, but I feel it may look a little bare as it is.

The freehand on the plinth ain\'t finished either, just outlined. Any suggestions on the colour? Same as the rocks?

(sorry second image is half in shadow due to me getting in the way of the lamp)

Cheers in advance for any thoughts/comments.

 

[Ritual]

What I would do to fill up the space between the rocks with Vallejo Sandy Paste (wonderful stuff) or something similar. I guess you could use regular wall plaster as well, but it has a tendency to crack when you apply it a bit thicker. The Sandy Paste gets a slightly rubbery quality when it dries so that it doesn\'t crack. The finish it gets is similar to when you apply PVA glue and sand, only slightly less coarse.

 

[AinuLainour]

What Ritual said.

Just wanted to say it might look cool to keep the freehand on the plinth white-ish and shade with some soft reds.

Where\'d you get the plinth?

 

[matty1001]

So fill up the gaps, will do. Il have to see if I can get some of that stuff Anders, as it looks interesting, especially when I was looking at your stuff at Paris. Finer than sand and perfect for dirt/mud.

Ian: The base is from Tyron Magda (if thats how you spell it)
He used to sell them alot on eBay but I havn\'t seen any on for months now. I think he does private sales so you may be able to contact him about getting one.

 

[Ritual]

Any proper hobby store that sells scale models and such should have it! Especially if they carry Vallejo paints... But make sure you get the right product. There\'s coarser stuff as well, which are great for their uses, but the sandy paste is better for regular dirt ground.

 

[matty1001]

Yep theres a ModelZone in Newcastle who have just stocked the entire Vallejo range, so they will have it most definately.

Plus with it being the dropper bottle should be easy to just squeeze in.

The gap is about 4mm, will it dry at that thickness?

 

[Roger Bunting]

Proper hobby store. Hmm, sadly lacking here in Chesterfield. There\'s a small model railway/radio controlled car shop that has some scenery, and there is a hobby shop that does have scale models but the only paints they carry are Humbrol and Tamiya.

 

[generulpoleaxe]

matty, if your having a tree as part of the base try adding some ground up mixed herbs onto parts of the stones and in the cracks.
it\'s great for forest floor foliage.
just put some realy thinned down pva in places and sprinkle the mix ontop.
once dry just add another thinned down layer over the top.

if you don\'t want to dullcote your model then now is the time to dullcote the base.

dead easy mate.

 

[matty1001]

Yea I might go dig up some roots where the council are digging to use for a tree lol

But I honestly don\'t know if I will use a tree, decisions, decisions.

But il get one and stick it in, see what you lot think.

 

[DaN]

My 2 pennorth:

Bit of tall grass in spots, leaf litter...
Maybe some heather type too.

Dead tree sounds cool too

 

[matty1001]

This tree any good? Obviously it will need painting a bit to bring it into scale.
Also it ain\'t as big and imposing as it looks on the pics, but still quite tall and spread out.

http://gallery.mac.com/matthewbraid#100318

Also iv glazed the freehand with reds, was looking a bit pinky so had to go quite deep with them. Even if the colour doensn\'t work in the end I can always change it no problem.

 

[generulpoleaxe]

pics are too small for me to see properly mate.

i would be tempted to shorten the branches sticking out from the sides as they may dominate the piece.

 

[matty1001]

Some bigger ones: (EDIT: To big! Well theres a link,)
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n312/matty1001/TreeHelldorado3.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n312/matty1001/TreeHelldorado2.jpg

Il cut sections out to scale it down a bit. Then it won\'t be as dominating.

 

[AinuLainour]

Yay! The freehand symbol looks really good with red. Glad it worked out for you!

By the way Matty, you need to make it to World Expo next year.. I would love to see your stuff in person.

 

[matty1001]

The kneecap plates and two little round shields on his arms have little crosses on them which will be red, so hopefully that will coincide with the freehand.

As much as I would LOVE to go to the world Expo, I probably won\'t have enough money lol you should just come over to UKGD or Ravage next year lol

 

[AinuLainour]

Noo!! It would be worth it!

Anyhow, I would love to go to Ravage and GD UK, but they are both at a terrible time. September/October?? No way.. World Expo is still 50% chance, I need to get super marks first! Also at World Expo, they have a Junior category (18 and under) so I have that to look foward to..

After high school I may take a year off and do what Seb Archer did, except throw Euromilitaire in the mix

 

[Ritual]

The sandy paste doesn\'t come in a dropper bottle. It\'s in a small jar. But it\'s easy to apply with a toothpick or something.

The tree looks a bit stiff, IMO. You should try and find something a bit more twisted...

 

[freakinacage]

i agree with ritual, a small twisted stump or just maybe a small gnarled log nestling in one of the gaps. pop to the beach and try and find some driftwood

 

[matty1001]

Well il keep this tree for now, and if I do find a better one I can always swap it over easily.

Some new pics:
http://gallery.mac.com/matthewbraid#100327

It\'s really hard to get the sense of \'3D\' with the photos, I may do a quick video of it later on.

I rubbed some of the freehand off when handling it, but I can always redo that later on. I\'v also basecoated the fella\'s metallics.
O and I was also thinking of hanging a few chains from the tree, perhaps with a limb or two on? Add to the \"hellishness\", any thoughts?

 

[matty1001]

New \'tree\' (more of a dead stump really.)
Any better?

I\'m kinda liking it alot more now, so may stick with this than the other one.

http://gallery.mac.com/matthewbraid#100334

BTW, Ainu, when and where is World Expo, I mentioned it to Laura, and she got quite hyped with it. We were going to go to America next year, but cancelled due to certain things. This would be a greta substitute