Tactical Command
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Winter Terrain
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=27588		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  The Bissler [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:17 am ]
Post subject:  Winter Terrain
I quite fancy having a winter battle! Does anyone have any cheap and cheerful tips as to how to achieve a snow landscape?

I was thinking of using a white sheet but was worried it might look a bit pishy....
Author:  primarch [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
Hi!

I don't have a "cheap" alternative, but I have bought terrain and battle boards from these guys for years and they have a line of winter terrain I plan on getting. It's all top notch IMO.

http://www.war-zone.com/

Other than buying it ready made, you could always get white flock and do it yourself. Of course, that may be very cumbersome and thus buying it may be "cheaper", at least in terms of man hours.

Primarch
Author:  Nitpick [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
Snow is a bit overrated I think. Bases look bad unless they are winter themed too. However, winter themed bases look bad on anything else. Having said that, I once did a sturdy winter table including a fortified city. It is now hacked to pieces awaiting remake for the reason mentioned above. But I digress. I suppose my answer is "no" :-)
Author:  primarch [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
Nitpick wrote:
Snow is a bit overrated I think. Bases look bad unless they are winter themed too. However, winter themed bases look bad on anything else. Having said that, I once did a sturdy winter table including a fortified city. It is now hacked to pieces awaiting remake for the reason mentioned above. But I digress. I suppose my answer is "no" :-)


Hi!

I have to agree. It's probably why I still haven't done it. The idea is "cool". But it lacks the flexibility of more neutral terrain and base colors.

Primarch
Author:  The Bissler [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
I'm strapped for cash at the moment so unfortunately that is out of the question Primarch. Thanks for pointing it out to me though. :(

Cheers Nitpick, I'm prepared to suffer the indignity of my green based infantry against the white just for a little visual change to proceedings on occasion. The good thing is that I don't base any of my vehicles so they won't cause anŷ issues on the white.

Of course, I'm waiting for the impending DZC city Games & Gears boards - production was set back due to flooding in China - so I will have alternative boards hopefully in the near future...
Author:  Draccan [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
I don't know it it amounts to cheap (due to other materials used) but Forge World Master Class books has a gorgeous epic airfield snow table. The landscape is not 100% snow but there are snow remains throughout the board. They used (I believe) baking powder as snow and probably some varnish to hold it.

Here's an image of it, but the images in the book are way better:
http://www.ifelix.co.uk/images998/IMG_1641.jpg
Author:  primarch [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
Draccan wrote:
I don't know it it amounts to cheap (due to other materials used) but Forge World Master Class books has a gorgeous epic airfield snow table. The landscape is not 100% snow but there are snow remains throughout the board. They used (I believe) baking powder as snow and probably some varnish to hold it.

Here's an image of it, but the images in the book are way better:
http://www.ifelix.co.uk/images998/IMG_1641.jpg


Hi!

That looks great!

A tad of snow makes it stand out, without it being all white.

Primarch
Author:  The Bissler [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
That is nice! Baking powder & varnish = cheap = good!

Just had a thought, what about white felt? I'm thinking it might be relatively cheap and not require any work for it to look ok.

http://colour-full-felt.co.uk/display-f ... -1.8m-wide
Author:  Draccan [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
I don't know if felt is cheap but I reckon it may look cheap.
I believe great looking terrain can be built cheaply without looking cheap..
Take a stroll around your city and many suitable objects may just lie around..

Cheers
Author:  primarch [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
Hi!

I agree that felt may not be so cheap, given when I used to use green felt cloth, the price per yard was kind of steep.

Draccan makes a good point of looking around for materials since the execution may make even the "cheapest" of materials look great.

Primarch
Author:  The Bissler [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
I've been googling like crazy about this!

Found this tip:

"Use a white sheet, flannel is a good surface. Use watered-down acrylic paint- can be emulsion also (say half litre 50%50 mix. and scrunch the sheet into it in a bucket. Dont use too much and work the sheet then take it out and put it in scrunched differently a few times. Let it dry crumpled up on newspaper or grass. When it is still a bit damp flatten it out. Iron with a warm iron. Cheap and effective.
Store it stuffed in a carrier bag NOT folded and use elastic straps under the table to keep it taut in use.
May cost as much as 5 quid to make."

Might be worth a go.... Just thinking, could mix silver glitter through the paint also to give that sparkling look that you get with snow & ice.
Author:  HerrR [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 2:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
I followed IA Masterclass vol2 and modified the approach to base my Eldar army.
You need textured table- painted in darker and lighter greys or similar.
I have sprinkled baking soda through the sieve, then once satisfied with THIN layer of snow I used hairspray in well ventilated space (not too much draft though).
I usually apply 2-3 layers, then let it dry and then you use few layers of sprayed/airbrushed matt varnish - DONE.
To sum up: reasonably cheap, requires some time and work but can look AWESOME.
Can make couple of close ups if you need to see final effect.
Author:  Dwarf Supreme [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 3:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
primarch wrote:
I don't have a "cheap" alternative, but I have bought terrain and battle boards from these guys for years and they have a line of winter terrain I plan on getting. It's all top notch IMO.

http://www.war-zone.com/

Wow, they have nice stuff and their prices aren't too outrageous.
Author:  primarch [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 3:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
Dwarf Supreme wrote:
primarch wrote:
I don't have a "cheap" alternative, but I have bought terrain and battle boards from these guys for years and they have a line of winter terrain I plan on getting. It's all top notch IMO.

http://www.war-zone.com/

Wow, they have nice stuff and their prices aren't too outrageous.


Hi!

Most of the terrain in my battle reports (including the board itself) is from them. I have dealt with them for over 12 years.

Good solid stuff!

Primarch
Author:  The Bissler [ Fri Jun 06, 2014 5:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Terrain
HerrR wrote:
I followed IA Masterclass vol2 and modified the approach to base my Eldar army.
You need textured table- painted in darker and lighter greys or similar.
I have sprinkled baking soda through the sieve, then once satisfied with THIN layer of snow I used hairspray in well ventilated space (not too much draft though).
I usually apply 2-3 layers, then let it dry and then you use few layers of sprayed/airbrushed matt varnish - DONE.
To sum up: reasonably cheap, requires some time and work but can look AWESOME.
Can make couple of close ups if you need to see final effect.


Wow! Sounds excellent! I will give this some careful consideration over the next few days... Pics would be great but please don't go to any trouble on my behalf, the main thing is that I know the method! Cheers! ;)
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