I'm a little nervous about this as I've taken a geology course before and I know that Dr. Cook is pretty hard-a**ed (From DaveD - yes but weirdly he seems to allergic to sand - some geologist!- don’t ask ). I have two pieces of terrain made from stone for my Italian Wars project. These are 28mm and made by TTCombat.
First up is a house. Wikipedia tells me that period buildings in Tuscany use a mix of sandstone and limestone, which in this case have been covered over with some stucco work. I like the details that TTC puts into its products, the curved porch, louvered windows and the tiled roofing. One of the louvers fell out of one window set during construction. I could have ruled it back but left the window blank to give the impression of a Medici, Borgia or Sforza plotting in the shadows out of sight.
Next we have a stepped bridge. I like that the steps have been left wide enough to hold stands of figures and once again the detailing is nice. I tried to give the compass rose in the middle span the impression of inlaid marbles in white, black and blue/grey. On table we'll have to figure out how vehicles and gun crews navigate the steps.
As with my first TTC house, I used a basic wash technique mostly using raw sienna, raw umber and burnt umber, all of which are based on the earth pigments used in Renaissance Italy for a further geological link.
There's also an economics lesson in this post. I picked all three of the TTC pieces in Meeplemart in Toronto along with some stuff for Curt. My three buildings came to less than the two sets of GW dice that Curt asked me to pick up. I like to tease Curt that I don't require that my dice pass though the intestines of a civet cat.
These two pieces pretty much fill a 6" cubic unit so that's 20 points for the models and 30 for Cook's Crevasse, assuming Dr Cook gives me passing grade. My progress across Challenge Island is plotted on the map below. Next up I'll likely be taking a balloon ride across to the western coast.
Also when Curt first posted about the Island, I commented that the stops looks like merit badges from my boy scout days. I've decided that I'll note my progress in terms of badges earned too.
Me circa 1976. My gaming activities included first edition D&D, Avalon Hill board games and badly painted Airfix Nappys in Humbrol enamels. |
From DaveD - Badges!!! fine badges Peter. Lovely terrain items , 50 points it is. I do like the finish on your buildings - it does just look right to me - I look forward to seeing them being fought over.
Cheers Dave. I am happy with how these buildings, and that they were pretty easy to paint.
ReplyDeleteNice looking buildings! I've taken a leaf out of your book and tried to stick to washes so as not to loose all the detail,bridge is good too, less said about boy scouts probably best!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks very much Iain. Your work is always inspiring to me so glad to return the service. The basic recipe is raw sienna over unprimed mdf (gives more texture) but not too heavy, followed by a wash of raw umber. The roof is red oxide with a black wash. I then play around with highlights in the base colour and or more washes to suit my mood.
DeleteVery great work
ReplyDeleteThanks Adam
DeleteNice buildings Pete.
ReplyDeleteThat last image really sorta says it all. :)
Cheers Curt. We can put these to work on Friday night. In my defense it was the 70s.
DeleteNice work Peter, I like the sinister 'watching from the shadows' window.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul. The window seemed to fit the era.
DeleteNice work on the building and bridge, Peter :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tamsin
DeletePeter, these are perfect. 3 sorts of rock certainly passes muster. I'm not allergic to sand, it's just that Dave buys toxic sand
ReplyDeleteGlad that they pass muster Martin. Good luck with Dave's toxins.
DeleteVery nice scenery work!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGreat work Peter. They make me hungry for chicken piccata, so I would say they set the mood very well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Greg. Damn now I want picata too, it's a house favourite.
DeleteNice buildings, Peter. I, too, find these TT games buildings really nicely designed and your approach to them is very convincing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Noel. TTC is three for three on my watch.
DeleteNice looking terrain, you've got a good recipe for painting MDF it seems.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stuart. It’s nothing too fancy, but I enjoy working with the mdf kits and the end result works for me.
DeleteReally nicely done, very evocative and I do like the ttcombat stuff, packed full of details.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jamie. I’ll be getting more TTC stuff. You just have to careful and test fit the parts. Some of the tab As are too wide for the slot Bs, but nothing the old Xacto can’t handle easily.
DeleteSuper looking buildings Peter!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thanks
DeleteNice work
ReplyDeleteThanks Barks
Delete