Looking for some advice to create realistic rope lava rock

[Veshnakar]

New to the community, but hopefully I can get some help!

So I have started working on a new project, and I am looking for a relatively simple way to base upwards of 200 miniatures with this sort of look to the ground, and I am wondering how best to achieve it?

For those not familiar with rope lava, here are some pictures.

http://photos.igougo.com/images/p256248-Hawaii_(Big_Island)_HI-Lava_Rock_Kalapana.jpg

http://www.smartcenter.org/ovpm/ropelava.jpg

http://images.travelpod.com/users/jeb2729/1.1289123496.rope-lava.jpg

http://photography.nationalgeograph...graphy/Images/Content/rope-lava-759786-xl.jpg


I have played around with a couple of ideas, namely loading procreate onto the bases and pushing it in a specific direction to achieve the "roping" effect, but it uses up a TON of epoxy, and I don't know if this would be the best option.

Any ideas? And also, is there any sort of medium that dries to a realistic deep crackle effect that will hold up it's detail to priming?


I would really appreciate the help or advice!

Thanks,
-V

 

[PegaZus]

About the only thing I could think of is to make a texture tool large enough to stamp into the basing material.

 

[airhead]

some of the plastic putties (Fimo) where you can weave ropes then bake it. Not going to be fast unless you weave a large amount, cookie cutter out your base inserts, then bake.

 

[RuneBrush]

With 200 bases needed I'd personally make a dozen and then get some mold material and resin. Would likely work out cheaper than using modelling putty...

However if you're not comfortable with resin casting (in fairness it's a big deviation from sculpting!), then I'd make up a section 4" square, let it cure. Next, build some edging around it, talc the whole thing and pour in some plaster of paris to create an "inverse" stamp. The plaster of paris would also add a rough texture. Once set, pull the two pieces apart.

To create a base, you just need to put a blob of putty onto your base, rub some vaseline onto it and then press it into your plaster of paris, pull away and you'll have a fairly thin layer of texture there

pete

 

[Veshnakar]

Cheers for the comments guys! Has anyone had any experience using Golden's Crackle Paste on a small scale? I know on large canvas it has a nice effect, but I am curious how it will handle on a 20mm base. And has anyone had any success making deep cracks with any kind of crackle medium?

 

[freakinacage]

not really. tim holtz crackle paint works brilliantly though and should be enough. i used it as cracked earth on some cowboys but don't have good pics of the bases.

you can always buy resin bases from someone like model display products. they have a set of cracked earth bases that should work for lava if painted appropriately, here;s an example (bear in mind he does them in all types of base and all sizes - i know, i sculpted the bastards):

 

[kathrynloch]

I'd take a run at it with modeling paste. But 200 - yeah, I'd go for Freak's suggestion. lol! And freak, you sculpted those?

 

[freakinacage]

aye, and painted

 

[kathrynloch]

Cool! Great job, man!

 

[freakinacage]

ya very muchly