I was doing a bit or necessary work on the house this last weekend which took me to our local hardware store. When there I am always on the lookout for any materials which can help me make some cheap terrain. This time I found a fly-screen repair kit from which I could make some wattle fencing for my upcoming medieval campaign (using 25mm miniatures).
Here are the steps for the fencing and also small foot bridge.
Materials used:
- Fly-screen repair patches (which come with a sticky back)
- Balsa wood
- Matchsticks
- MDF for basing
- Paint
- Flock
- PVA (wood) glue
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| The fly-screen repair from local hardware store |
Balsa wood was cut into lengths and covered with the fly-screen on both sides. It was folded over with the sticky side towards the balsa wood. I didn't worry about overlapping as it helps to improve the look when painted. I made two covered lengths for each base - partly because this was the size of my saved off cuts and also to make it look like strips of fencing were used.
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| Covered balsa wood |
These lengths are then stuck onto their bases and held in place until the glue dried.
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| Sticking covered lengths to bases |
Once the glue was dry. Cut some matchsticks and glue them on either side of the fencing. Once all the glue is dry the fencing was painted a dark brown.
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| Matchsticks are added as posts |
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| Paint fences a dark brown. |
After the dark brown had dried off a series of light brushing of progressively lighter colours was applied. First a mid-brown quickly applied, second a light grey was more carefully applied, and finally a light bone colour was dry brushed on which really picks up the weave.
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| A mid-brown was brushed on first |
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| A light grey was applied consistently |
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| A light bone colour was finally dried brushed on |
Once painted the base was touched up in green and flocked. As a final step I paint on a matt clear acrylic varnish for protection.
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| The final result |
While all this was all being done I also made a simple foot bridge. Here are the progress pictures.
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| A very simple shape - the matchstick supports were later trimmed down. |
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| Painted dark brown and when dry mid-brown stripes were painted on |
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| A watered down bone colour was quickly used to go over some parts of the painted stripes |
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| The ends were flocked and the river painted |
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| The final product |
Excellent handiwork! I really like the result of your bridge.
ReplyDeleteThanks. The bridge came up better than I expected.
DeleteNicely done!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteI enjoy your modelling and your painting always takes things to the next level, very good use of highlights (and in part here, I also refer to your buildings that you did a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how simple models can be given a lift with paint. The painting can be quite quickly done with watered down paint (mistakes are wiped away) and dry brushing. I find the trick is picking the colours, e.g. I often use a bit of purple with watered down black for shade to make a less harsh contrast.
ReplyDelete