Ok,
First, Thanks Ken, I'll touch upon the figures in the next post.
Now......
a return to ground work, quickly, as this is not often discussed when doing figures....
Ok, third coat of varnish & stain applied to my pine plank, everything looking as lovely as I can get it in the time I have, time to lay down some ground work.
Here's how I do it, this method used by Richard Windslow in his Diorama & Terrain DVD.
After preparing my base, here by driving in nails onto the wood work, to give something for the next step to 'grab', I prepared my next step.
Before I get there, please note, I chose to varnish an area I knew was going to be covered in plaster etc. I did this, as pine will soak up moisture, and warp, quicker then can be fixed. By varnishing first, this will limit the amount of moisture absorbed into the pine from the plaster.
Just something to keep in mind......
OK, next step was to mix up some fine soil (previously sourced from the end of the driveway, and around the neighborhood while walking the faithful hound) and mix that into the plaster, both still dry. Stir well, and set to one side.
After that, I added some water to another cup, and then added some acrylic paint, dark earth colour, with a touch of black. (Note to future self, next time, leave out the black)
I added the acrylic to the water, so when I stirred in the water, it would also give a more even tint to the plaster. Nothing more exciting then placing your figure on the table for others to view (and perhaps judge) to spot the one and only bright white spot of plaster that wasn't painted during earlier steps......
and the reason for adding a dark earth colour, is because by the time you add this stuff to pure white plaster, it goes several shades lighter. I have found it very difficult so far to get really dark soil. However, using this method, I have yet to get the dreaded bright white plaster spots!
Stir till its like pancake batter, or slightly runny cake mix (if not sure, ask a cooking type person to show you), then apply to your base.
I normally tape off and mask over, not for this project though, as it has retaining walls to help lock in the display case.
The next shot is of me texture the ground with some wheel ruts, by just gently and repeatedly tapping a spare wheel form one of the motorcycle kits along the ground work.
After adding some groundwork white glue (kind of like wood working glue, except much thinner, and dries flat) I sprinkled some fine grit across the top, and the occasional random stone.
Last shot is of the ground work in its raw state, before I airbrush it, then add vegetation.
Cheers
