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Spring Cleaning Miniature Gardening

Spring Cleaning Miniature Gardening

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Project Blog by 144artist Cult of Games Member

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About the Project

I love making and using terrain that is themed to my armies. Some time ago, okay years ago, I collected the pieces to make forest sections for my Undead terrain collection though they would work for a number of tables. Then other things became priorities and the project was set aside. Spring Cleaning Challenge you say? Now I have to finish them! Okay, that went quickly so I'm expanding this to all kinds of terrain with trees and foliage. Got lots of flowers to use.

This Project is Completed

The parts

Tutoring 10
Skill 11
Idea 12
No Comments

When my local craft store went out of business a few years ago, I picked up a bunch of the holiday trees they had on mark down as well as stacks of wooden circles and ovals that are always useful.  I’d had them about a year when inspiration struck that they would look right at home in a cemetery.  I have quite the collection of tiny grave stones and even more had showed up with one of the Bones Kickstart rewards sets. I pulled out ones that looked good with the trees, picked out bases, and that’s where it all stopped.

Fast forward a few years, California is on lock down, the OTT Spring Cleaning Challenge comes up and here is where it all starts up again.

Here are the trees awaiting a graveyard.Here are the trees awaiting a graveyard.
While these headstones are looking forward to making friends with them.While these headstones are looking forward to making friends with them.

Assembling the parts

Tutoring 10
Skill 10
Idea 11
No Comments

These things came together quickly after I painted up the headstones and they are already looking pretty good.  I finished all four stands and thought,” That was easy.  Why didn’t I get more trees?” Of course now comes the basing and flocking followed by undergrowth and overgrowth but they are glued together finally!

Assembling the parts
Assembling the parts
Assembling the parts
Assembling the parts

Flocking Applied

Tutoring 11
Skill 11
Idea 12
No Comments

Using two different mixes of flock, one browns one greens, I flocked up the bases of my trees.  I noticed a couple of the labels are barely visible through the paint and flock so will make sure they’re removed next time.  Ah next time, that moment in the future when I will get things 100% correct.  Too bad it’s in the future and all I have to work with is “this time”.  They’re actually not that visible and as I plan to add more plants they should disappear by the end.  Yes, I am going to add more plant life to the bases as I want these to look more like difficult terrain and less like a well manicured park.

Not happy with how the light grey background bleached some of the color out.Not happy with how the light grey background bleached some of the color out.
Flocking Applied
Flocking Applied
Flocking Applied
Flocking Applied
Flocking Applied
Flocking Applied
Flocking Applied

Overgrown Graveyard Finished

Tutoring 8
Skill 11
Idea 12
No Comments

I have now finished landscaping the graveyard.  I think they look suitably overgrown and a little mysterious.  I also think they will look great with a wrought iron fence around them.  I used fantasy minis in the pictures but can see these pieces used in more than a few genre’ games. As a bonus, when I was looking for my collection of terrain materials I thought It might be in a medium sized cardboard box in the closet.  While trying to ascertain how best to remove said box from the almost Tetris level of closet organization When I noticed it was sitting on a much larger, transparent plastic bin full of all my Woodland Scenics bags! It is almost like Christmas except now I have to figure out how to get an even bigger box out of there.

Overgrown Graveyard Finished
Overgrown Graveyard Finished
Overgrown Graveyard Finished
Overgrown Graveyard Finished

Expanding my Horizons

Tutoring 8
Skill 8
Idea 10
No Comments

While digging through my closets and garage I came upon even more terrain materials.  Not only did I find the box of Woodland Scenics materials I knew I had misplaced, then I found a box of trees I didn’t know I had, finally I found a bag of trees I have no memory of acquiring.  I then realized I had a number of projects that had waiting for this very discovery.  Seems like I am about to start landscaping in miniature as I have parts for Samurai forests, groves from alien worlds, and a great deal of Urban Landscaping for Wolsung.  So I changed the Spring Cleaning Blog to reflect that.

Welcome to my Miniature Gardening Spring Clean Project Blog.

Not all the Woodland Scenics product I have but a big chunk that, until recently, had gone missing. Not all the Woodland Scenics product I have but a big chunk that, until recently, had gone missing.
Hmmm, these look familiar but not sure where I got them.Hmmm, these look familiar but not sure where I got them.
Even more similar trees but these I neither remember getting nor putting away.Even more similar trees but these I neither remember getting nor putting away.

Urban Gardening

Tutoring 10
Skill 10
Idea 12
No Comments

So not only have I discovered I own a fair collection of flocks and foliage but I have a good selection of flowers as well.  Time to get planting.  I have some crates I found recently that I think will make wonderful planters for my Wolsung neighborhood. I’ve gotten them to the painted stage and now they just need sealant before I go on as I hate rubbing off the paint I’ve already applied.  The tall ones will look good with tall ornamental plants whereas the four short ones will be my first roof garden of flowers and vegetables. Well, I hope they will be as I am improvising much this as I go.

In addition, I have a number of wooden discs and ovals that will make nice planted beds, maybe a tree surrounded by flowers.  That way I place them on the sidewalks as planted cutouts or in the middle of traffic circles.  Once the Terrain Crate2 delivers some wrought iron benches I will have a small park area.

Wish I knew where they're from so I could get more of them.Wish I knew where they're from so I could get more of them.
A steampunk dwarf next to them for scale... dwarf scale that is.A steampunk dwarf next to them for scale... dwarf scale that is.
Urban Gardening
Alven Yard keeping an eye on thingsAlven Yard keeping an eye on things
So many I'm going to turn one of my Market Stalls into a florist.  No, really, I am.So many I'm going to turn one of my Market Stalls into a florist. No, really, I am.
These will work well for trees and topiary.These will work well for trees and topiary.

Things are Proceeding Nicely

Tutoring 9
Skill 11
Idea 11
No Comments

So my planters were sealed and I began filling them with Das Pronto air hardening clay, both to represent soil and give weight to the pieces.  Asit is air hardening a I will have to build up the deeper ones in layers.

I created a flower stall for my market place from one of my Micro Arts Market pieces.  Next is a baker’s stall and a produce stand.  I think the Wolsung Gardener looks quite at home among the flowers and look forward to getting his gardens started.

Things are Proceeding Nicely
Serves no game purpose but looks so nice.Serves no game purpose but looks so nice.
Must be my childhood spent with model train layouts showing through.Must be my childhood spent with model train layouts showing through.
Need a bouquet for Mothers Day?Need a bouquet for Mothers Day?

First Stages of Urban Gardening Complete

Tutoring 12
Skill 12
Idea 12
3 Comments

I finished off all my little planters.  The small ones with flowers were the easiest as all I did was flock them and glue in the flowers.  The tall ones with evergreens were just as easy and will look great separating the outdoor seating of my cafe from the plaza.

The tomato plants were a little more work but relatively simple.  I glued three toothpick halves into each container and painted them green. When they dried I glued on Woodland Scenics Clump Foliage pieces. Unable to go to either the Craft or Model Railroad stores right now I went “Shopping in My Closets” as a friend of mine says and found my bag of various colors of Fimo and Sculpy polymer clays.  I made a bunch of red spheres about the right size and once they had baked (do this for 2/3rds of recommended time as they are so tiny they will burn) I glued them onto the plants.  Now Nona Scylla can always have fresh tomatoes.

The ornamental trees, which could flank a doorway nicely, were also a bit of work as what I had were really bushes and I wanted them to look more like well manicured ornamental trees.  So I glued half a toothpick in each planter as a pin and then found some aluminium cylinders in my bits box that were just the right height to glue onto those.  After they dried I raided my canvas painting supplies for my Fiber Paste by Golden to create the texture of bark. This stuff is an acrylic modeling paste, clear paint, with a fine texture mixed in.  Great for building up texture on a canvas (think Van Gogh) or the surface of a model building or tree trunks.  Then everything was painted, surface was flocked, and the bushes were glued into the trunks. I’m rather pleased with how these came out and am going to have to make more like them.  As for now, time for more trees and planted areas.

So easy to make and they add so much color.  I need more of these.So easy to make and they add so much color. I need more of these.
These will work nicely with my outdoor seating.These will work nicely with my outdoor seating.
Toothpicks glued into the clay then painted green.Toothpicks glued into the clay then painted green.
I ended up making enough to use in a Market Stall as well as in other colors.I ended up making enough to use in a Market Stall as well as in other colors.
I think they really came out well.  I think they really came out well.
Toothpicks glued into the clay then aluminium cylinders from my scrap box are glued over them. Toothpicks glued into the clay then aluminium cylinders from my scrap box are glued over them.
Fiber Paste, by Golden, is used to texture the trunks.Fiber Paste, by Golden, is used to texture the trunks.
The ornamental trees are finished and ready for the table.The ornamental trees are finished and ready for the table.
A figure for scale...A figure for scale...
... as well as an example of great cover.... as well as an example of great cover.

Now for bigger trees

Tutoring 9
Skill 8
Idea 9
No Comments

My experiment in planters went well so I will have to make more of those or go “shopping in the garage” for other suitable containers.  Until then there are courts, plazas, sidewalks, and parks to garden not to mention the stately homes of the Ash and Oak membership.

I have two identical trees that look highly manicured and maintained so thought they would be the perfect choices for my next experiment; trees in planted beds.

Foam discs for building up the planted beds and roots of the wire trunked trees.Foam discs for building up the planted beds and roots of the wire trunked trees.
Used an X-Acto knife to trim the foam before gluing onto some of my wooden discs.Used an X-Acto knife to trim the foam before gluing onto some of my wooden discs.
Golden's Course Pumice Gel is applied all over...Golden's Course Pumice Gel is applied all over...
... then painted in layers of brown. I decided against flocking them as I like the look of moist earth for the planted beds.... then painted in layers of brown. I decided against flocking them as I like the look of moist earth for the planted beds.
Glued the trees in place, clipping the wire that protruded from the bottom.Glued the trees in place, clipping the wire that protruded from the bottom.
"Planted" colorful annuals around the perimeter...
... and another step in beautifying my neighborhoods.... and another step in beautifying my neighborhoods.

Fountains

Tutoring 9
Skill 9
Idea 8
No Comments

I received a pair of fountains with the Mantic Terrain Crate Kickstart rewards. I was never sure what I was going to use them for until I started this little Urban Renewal project.  I glued them to wooden discs before painting them.  Simple but effective.  Some environmental shots next time as the collection is really coming together though I’m not sure why everything seems to be in pairs.

Statues… I need some statues…

Painted them in whites though that blue needs toning down.Painted them in whites though that blue needs toning down.
Fountains
Fountains

So I Found Some Statues

Tutoring 1
Skill 3
Idea 3
No Comments

So I went shopping in my Unpainted Minis closet and found two statues in the Reaper Bones 4 Kickstart rewards. I had forgotten they existed so was super excited to find alternative versions of them in ruins. Double Score!

 

To fit in with my Wolsung – Moderns terrain collections I decided they would look best as bronzes plus it works so perfectly with their fantasy Hoplite theme. The ruined ones are for another time.  The initial gallery is Work In Progress shots while the individual pictures are the finished pieces. I forgot to add a figure for scale so will have to remedy that soon.

So I Found Some Statues
So I Found Some Statues
So I Found Some Statues
So I Found Some Statues
So I Found Some Statues
So I Found Some Statues
Such a nice looking pair.Such a nice looking pair.

It All Comes Together.

Tutoring 2
Skill 4
Idea 4
1 Comment

Before the statues were rediscovered I took some pictures of the new terrain setup with some of my Wolsung collection.  I really like how much color and texture is added not to mention cover from terrain and places to set objective counters. I’ve taken pictures with and without minis to focus on the feel of the scenes and must say that I am rather liking them and will add some of these to the Wolsung Project Blog.  If any of you folks are interested in that blog, it can be found at; https://www.beastsofwar.com/project/1223909/

Wonder if Necron099 has room in his backyard to set up a game…

 

This way, please.This way, please.
Tea BreakTea Break
Checking the tomatoes on the roof garden.Checking the tomatoes on the roof garden.
Looks ready to game on.Looks ready to game on.
It All Comes Together.
It All Comes Together.
What pleasant city park to stroll through.What pleasant city park to stroll through.
I really like the color added by the flowers and trees.I really like the color added by the flowers and trees.
It All Comes Together.
Early morning, the neighborhood isn't quite awake yet.Early morning, the neighborhood isn't quite awake yet.
Almost feels like dusk... almost.Almost feels like dusk... almost.

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