Wednesday 8 October 2014

Terrain is everything - Project Ω - Realm of Battle Board gets Shadows in the Warp

Now if I wasn't completely obsessed with doing things 'just so' then I'm pretty sure there's another me in a different dimension who is perfectly happy with the Realm of Battle boards as it currently stands. But if you remember I had exactly the same feeling back when I did my original  Armies on parade board.

I could indeed leave well enough alone and it would be perfectly acceptable, but I could have left my nids at basecoat and wash stage, but I didn't!


Once again I mixed my wash of Satinwood Black wood paint, water and a dose of PVA. I think PVA may add to the surface tension properties of the wash which did mean a lot 'working' the paint so it didn't always pool on the raised areas. I believe a drop of washing up liquid helps reduce the effect but I was loathe to add a substance that would reduce adhesion as I hoped the PVA would add another layer of protection and help 'stick' the wash to the paint.


A lot of dotting and dabbing also helped create a mottled effect which adds variety to the ground so it's not a flat expanse of red.


And here I think you can make out that the stone texture paint has indeed added some finer detail and texture to the board.


It is still susceptible to damage though as you can see the small paint chip in the centre. I managed this with my fingernail alone, cutting through the paint layers to the plastic. I'm hoping the remaining paint and varnish will protect it but clearly I'll have to keep track of remedial work throughout it's long [hopefully] lifetime.


Have to say I don't often see this configuration but I like it, further emphasising the versatility of the Realm of Battle board. GW got this one right for sure.


I may use this image to try and mock up my potential skull pit colours for the ultimate poll...


Another close-up of the board.


And War joins the fun to see how it's base fits the colour scheme. Nearly there, I think the highlights will tie them in even more. One thing of note, in both this and the next shot, can you see some white specs on the board? There's one in front and to the left of the Carnifex and on the left underneath his Devourers.


There are some more dotted about this pic too, in particular the bottom right in the middle of where some wash was. For the life of me I don't know what they are or how they got there. I can only suppose that while drying in the garage specs of dust landed on the board, but they're not just specs and seem bonded in with the paint, moreso than just casual floating transfer.


Whether it is the texture paints somehow eschewing the surface paint to burst forth I'm not sure but to have white flecks appear randomly on the board before I add Bonewhite flecks on the board, well, it just feels like Ferron Proxima is bringing itself to life!

23 comments:

  1. That looks really good Dave, especially like how you've achieved the tonal difference throughout (unlike mine, sob).

    A bit worrying that it chipped so easy but I'm sure some matt varnish will sort that out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Varnish can sometimes just make the chips bigger so I would be careful.

      Delete
    2. Thanks guys, fingers crossed this floor varnish will do the trick. It 'frosted' my brother's vivarium the first time he varnished it but we think that was due to cold temperatures as it was stored in the garage to dry [as I look at the calendar and realise I'll be doing the same thing!].

      Delete
  2. The color tonal variation on the board is really nice. This board is looking fantastic Dave. I wouldn't worry about the white flecks so much. Just say they are gaunt poops or something :).

    "Whats that white spot?"
    The remains of one of your guardsmen.
    "@#$@ dave"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thankfully most of the random mystery spots got covered, and then of course I added my own random spots anyway so it was misplaced concern really.

      Delete
  3. Looking good Dave its a pity I'm never invited around to your house, I would of liked to have a game on your board and terrain :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well I've only just got the board so prior to that we would have been gaming on the kitchen table and that's a little bit smaller than 6'x4'. Rest assured you will get an invite once it's complete although it has always been easier for me to go to you given I park half-way to yours when I come from work. But if you don't mind the drive I'm all for it. Once all the dust settles we're due a confrontation!

      Delete
    2. Sounds good mate, although I don't think I'll be welcome when I field my Deldar :)

      Delete
  4. Looking realy good, the shading really works in the whole table shots.
    Instead of using washing up liquid you could use some alcohol (scotch) as it lacks the 'cleaning properties' that could weaken the bond. Also even with washing up liquid it only takes the tiniest drop to reduce the surface tension, so unlikely to effect bond strength.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting, i guess I've still a lot to learn about paint and it's properties.

      Delete
    2. Did a fair bit of research into paint when working out how to make a black glaze.
      The scotch of all things came from fake blood experiments some years ago. scotch is better than washing up liquid when you need to eat the fake blood.

      Delete
  5. That looks wonderful. That mottling effect is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Peter, nearly as good as your space board ;)

      Delete
  6. Looking good man! .. The color variation is very nice.. 8)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Todd, I think it gets much better in the update though.

      Delete
  7. Me likes it & if it where mind I'd leave well enough alone but your fussier then I am Dave :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm very particular about a lot of things but sometimes I'll just say enough is enough and have done with it because otherwise it'd be like when I first got into the hobby and I got hardly anything painted despite many hours of activity.

      Delete
  8. If you had a mechanicum army that could be Mars!

    Great paint job- it would be an awesome table to fight on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Prof, there are a number of Mechanicum things I really like but I'm not sure I'll invest beyond an Imperial Knight [eventually]. Originally the fluff was going to be a Mars planet but I decided to come up with something a little different and Ferron Proxima was born...

      Delete
  9. Thanks for all the kind comments folks, they've really helped. Today has been particularly tough, the building work is still ongoing and it's beginning to wear me down. I also attended the funeral of one of the designers who gave me my first job, that difficult one after leaving art college that you can't get without the experience.

    Although I hadn't seen her in nearly 15 years it was extremely difficult to see her family, and husband, who was also a partner in the business, say goodbye. I had great times working with them, a lot of laughs and that period was life changing in so many ways that the poignancy of the moment was a bit overwhelming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear that Dave. It's always hard to see the people who have influenced our lives leave them. Though it's no consolation, being a designer, (and thus an artist), her influence will live on in her work and yours!

      Delete
  10. Truly amazing! I wish I could play on something that nice.

    ReplyDelete