Terrain Triptych, Part 1: Building Under Construction

In a previous post, I showed work-in-progress pictures of a number of larger terrain pieces. For my "Terrain Triptych" series, I'll be revisiting three of these projects, as well as some additional bits.

The miniatures used for scale throughout these reviews are Urban War Gladiators, Void Junker Buggy and a 1/56-scale Mad Cat mech from Joyride.

The painting method used for all these projects is my typical get-it-done-fast method:

  • Black Primer
  • Drybrush base colors, plus texture paint where necessary
  • 1-2 heavy washes of dark ruddy brown, letting it pool in places to dry.
  • Drybrush of tan

We'll start the series with an item that began its life as a parking garage for Hot-Wheels size cars. It's from Toys R Us's "Fast Lane" line.

I did what I could to disguise the parking garage origins, including putting junction boxes in the center to imply an elevator shaft and HVAC ductwork.

I filled the empty back of the wall panels with counting bricks, which added much-needed texture.

The bare grey wall in the lower right and in the earlier picture will hopefully one day be covered with graffiti from one of our more talented club members.

Here's a look at the exterior construction lift (non-functioning, unfortunately).

And its mechanicals.

The junction box on the bottom level is a separate piece, giving more flexiblity in terrain arrangement.

I need to pick up more of the large electrical junction boxes shaped like the one above. It's much easier to greeble and modify than the one used on the roof, which has an interesting shape, but lends itself to fewer applications.

Here are a few more action shots.

 

 

Though I didn't use the "rivets-rivets-everywhere" aesthetic, it was especially enjoyable to build a structure that is so strongly reminiscent of the Necromunda terrain I found so exciting in my early gaming years and still fuels my imagination today. Should I ever get the club to play some Necromunda, this building will likely figure prominently.

-- Karl, Chicago Skirmish Wargames club member


0 responses to “Terrain Triptych, Part 1: Building Under Construction

  1. You have a knack for getting these store nought toys to look convincing that I have always struggled with. My greebling tends to look like the individual components stuck together, without ever getting to the stage where the whole thing starts to look like something new and coherent.

    Great work. Inspirational.

  2. Inded your building is full of nécromunda spirit…
    Great job. Kid's toys offen make good scenery with a little of work and imagination. And your fast painting method is really effective, i use a similar one and i think it's make the job with a minimum of time.
    Can't wait to see more…

  3. Thanks Shuby,
    Once you get the necromunda spirit, it never leaves you! If you liked this, you'll love what's coming next.

    Cheetor,
    I don't have much advice except lots of trial and error and copying those whose work you think looks good.
    I copied much of my less-is-more style of greebling of electrical boxes from a guy who regularly sells his stuff on TMP (none up now though). From him I learned that a few well-placed bits of detail can sometimes be more effective than over-greebling.

    For raw construction techniques and heavy greebling done right, I always direct folks to Sean Patten's Necromundicon pages. I've been referring to that site for well over a decade now and even though it isn't updated often anymore, I routinely go back to old pages for new inspriation
    http://www.ironhands.com/necro.htm
    It's a bit of a quirky site and some of the better bits are a bit hidden, but it's worth the exploration. Also. his other pages relating to his 28mm Votoms campaigns show terrain layouts and arrangements at their finest.
    http://www.ironhands.com/v2camp01.htm

  4. Thanks for the detailed response Eilif 🙂

  5. I love it! You inspired me!


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