TerranScapes - Plateau Endcaps Phase 2 finished

[stefanoGFsiciliano]

Your work is really fantastic. I wish I had the space and money to create terrain. I love it. It was the most memorable part of miniature gaming.I'd love to make a business out of it, since I don't really play anymore. Why did you get into terrain building?

[Terranscapes]

@stefanoGFsiciliano Long story short, I was a teacher running a warhammer club. When I left teaching, I decided to try my hand at terrain. Luckily I had a supportive wife who gave me the space to try it. Been getting by since. (about 5+ years I think)

[stefanoGFsiciliano]

@Terranscapes Is miniature terrain a good side business? How do you go about buying materials whilst still getting a decent income. What do you do besides it?

[Terranscapes]

@stefanoGFsiciliano Depends on your definition of good. ;) Long hours, not great pay. Still, I like working from home, and being an artist is always a struggle. This is my only job.

[CustomTerrain]

The rocky effect is fantastic, as is the integration of the rocky outcrops into the slopes on the second lot of endcaps. I've seen those wire branches before!! I ummed and ah-ed about it at the time, but seeing how nice they look with the re-flocking I think I shall grab some; I too have been looking for a middle-height.

Have you considered creating a 'stand' cut from foam to place board panels onto when creating a high-ground? Otherwise I foresee teetering stacks of books being used... ;)

[Terranscapes]

@CustomTerrain The customer these are for has had me cut numerous blank boards to elevate the surface to the height of these caps. :) The project when finished will produce a plateau around 60" x 80" and then a second tier will be added. 

[BDCSam]

Huge fan of your stuff, wow, amazing. Question for the community, where can a West Coast guy like me get that pink foam everyone uses? Home Depot and Lowes here in SoCal don't even know what I'm talking about.

[Terranscapes]

@BDCSam I guess insulating for the winter isn't much of a concern there. ;) Hmm.. I'm not sure but you might be able to try a lumber yard. Our lumber yards here carry insulation foam also. I don't know if they would order it as your probably not interested in a pallets worth. I have investigated ordering it online and haven't been able to find a way. Any other ideas out there?

[montecarlo712]

i wonder... at the seam line on the large rock face, you might be able to "eroded" away some of the earth leading along the fault line and into the upper plateau. That might free up the necessity to have a smooth transition between pieces and allow for variations in casting thickness on either side of the fault. I recall some of the rocky out croppings of yellowstone looked as if the large fault lines were eroded by a small nonvisible stream over long periods of time. Just a thought!! Great work

[Terranscapes]

@montecarlo712 Nice suggestion. I like the idea of making the seam work for the piece rather than trying to hide it!

[montecarlo712]

@Terranscapes sure thing! the worst that could happen is it turns out great! haha

[437cosimo]

Like what you did with the wire trees. On the bridge area lots of places look like your two inch area do not worry. Need video on cats testing products.:-)

[Terranscapes]

@437cosimo The cats sometimes test the foliage by seeing if its glued down well. :)

[JCPTstudios]

Great video! If you want a different branch thing you could try JTT branches. You can get them from Scenic Express. You could also try Super Trees but they break easily. They are also available from Scenic Express.

I really like what you said on your web site about being environmentally sustainable.

[Terranscapes]

@JCPTstudios I took a look at them. Not sure if they will be better. Have you used them before? :) Would love a better look at them. As for super trees, beautiful structure, but too fragile for gaming as you said. Some day i would like to do a static display... :)

Thanks on the environmental comment. Its hard when working with foams, resins, and like. When you get a box from me, it often has quite the assortment of packing materials as a result. 

[jamieoliver1976]

absolutely stunning piece(s) of terrain between you and `rubbishinrubishout` we are truly blessed with the best terrain makers on youtube although your pieces are inspiring rbbushinrubbishout gives a more viewer friendly approach to making them. you could maybe do a more in depth tutorial on `how to make` rather than clips of beginning middle and end . by the way the seems are quite natural looking. A masterful piece

[Terranscapes]

@jamieoliver1976 Thank you for your kind words. I don't really have time to do tutorials as when I'm in the process of making, I can't spend the extra time/brain power to set up the cameras, lights, etc. If things ever slow down for me a bit, I would like to though. :) I will be doing some more product reviews this weekend so I hope those help a bit.

[gravey345]

on the first 2 pieces you showed, you can see where they meet as you stated there was that protrusion. surely if you holed it in a little, you could make it look more like a cave entrance because whilst looking at it, it looks like it might have a cave entrance being concealed. just a thought. great video.

Dave

[Terranscapes]

@gravey345 Neat idea. It was tough to work with it as is as the plaster I use is really hard and I had a crazy time working with it. One of the drawbacks of durable materials. If I had used hydrocal or something similar, your solution would be more easily accomplished, and a fantastic idea!

[AlcoholicSemenStain]

perhaps treat it with earth tone pastels then seal it. the edges look to drybrushy.

[Terranscapes]

@AlcoholicSemenStain I have been considering using the wash technique recommended by woodland scenics. Most realistic technique I have seen. I have been reluctant since usually I am spraying all the soil with a paint gun and it gets on the rocks. The rocks need to be bare plaster for the wash/stain technique. Of course now I have keep the process the same on future pieces so they match, but I am keeping an eye out for new projects to take them in a new direction.

[YourDungeonMaster]

great work

[chicophi220]

foliage and bush stuff looks great too. I love this idea of higher elevation transition pieces, could really allow for some interesting opportunities for a variety of 3d pieces and how they connect together.

[chicophi220]

dam those rock castings are looking really nice. I think you did a great job on the rock seam looks pretty natural considering the modular restrictions. Is there anything that can be done about the flattop grass seam? Almost seems like you would need an overlapping piece of material or something to hide that dark shadowed linear seam. A separate piece to lay on top? Overlap built into the surface like a jigsaw? I dunno none of those seems like good solutions, a challenging problem for sure!

[Terranscapes]

@chicophi220 Seams are always a challenge. Its the trade off for modularity. Placing some area terrain over them is a good solution though. Helps to break them up. I also find the static grass hides the seams better than flock. The static grass sticks out a bit and helps bridge the gap.

[knifeguyeddy]

looks fantastic m8

[999rubicon]

Outstanding

[thepiuma]

enjoyed your work a lot as always. i love the central piece of the oldest trio you made. and i loved the static grass fading you did in the other project. Bye

[makooma]

Gah! you are amazing. Do you need an apprentice to help you?

[Terranscapes]

@makooma Thanks. Not looking for any apprentices at the moment. I have one right now who comes in for a few hours a week but really, I like working alone. ;)

[ArtofModeling]

God use of colors

[makooma]

@ArtofModeling Yes just like god : )

[Kriegfreak]

Awesome. Still the highest quality terrain on YouTube .

[Terranscapes]

@Kriegfreak Thank you. :)

[032125]

@Kriegfreak I second that. I'm sort of addicted to these videos. Michael seems to look at terrain the way I look at miniatures; by analyzing the way these materials exist in the real world, then carefully weaving that with the fantasy world so as not to lose the realism. At this rate I'm going to get sucked into the terrain side of miniatures, and my wife is going to go postal on me.

[Terranscapes]

@032125 Yeah, this hobby needs very understanding partners. Luckily, I have one who really appreciates my love of gaming. :)

[OldWestTerrain]

It's a pitty they don't teach this stuff in Schools.You'd make a great teacher.

Great work, as always.

[Terranscapes]

@OldWestTerrain Funny, I used to be a teacher - middle school science.

[OldWestTerrain]

@Terranscapes Haha! It must be the way you come across, and explain things.You're easy to listen to and understand.

[Terranscapes]

@OldWestTerrain Thank you. I'm sometimes frustrated by other videos I see so I want to always work to be clear, and concise.

[032125]

Cats, like honey badgers, don't give a shit.

[Terranscapes]

@032125 :)