One of the defining features of Great War battlefields is a great number of craters. Making them for a model battlefield is simple - especially if you make use of the GW 40K plastic craters set. Here's how they were made.
Apply some PVA glue around the edges and add the odd splodge around the rim of the crater. Then build up the texture in layers starting with chunkier grit / gravel.
(click for a larger image)
Then add some sand.
(click for a larger image)
Painting is straightforward too; start with a good layer of Vallejo Flat Earth (983). It may need two coats to properly cover the grey plastic. Next, paint the crater itself with a darker brown, e.g. Vallejo Leather Brown (871), make sure you drybrush out towards the edges as this blends the two colours nicely. Then drybrush with the following colours, all Vallejo, Gold Brown (877), Tan Yellow (912) and Dark Sand (847). The crater should be drybrushed but more lightly. Finish off with a small amount of static grass around the edges.
Here's the finished article.
(click for a larger image)
A closer shot. I may add some 'water effects' mixed with a small amount of Leather Brown to give it a properly muddy appearance. The main Great War rulebook has another example with duckboards, barbed wire, etc.
(click for a larger image)
Oh, and we managed another smallish game. Here's a photo of the start of the game. Apologies if it looks a little odd, I tried to join two pictures with only limited success! ;o)
(click for a larger image)
It was another splendid game too. The scenario was Secure and Hold with four sets of boxes & crates being the objectives. After eight turns both sides had only a handful of shattered units left but the BEF had one battleworthy platoon that was holding the crates in front of the farmhouse and so managed to scrape a victory. I should also mention that the Highlanders - left foreground - managed to advance through a hail of fire from the Beutepanzer (captured tank) and then despatch it in spectacular style with a grenade attack.
Apply some PVA glue around the edges and add the odd splodge around the rim of the crater. Then build up the texture in layers starting with chunkier grit / gravel.
(click for a larger image)
Then add some sand.
(click for a larger image)
Painting is straightforward too; start with a good layer of Vallejo Flat Earth (983). It may need two coats to properly cover the grey plastic. Next, paint the crater itself with a darker brown, e.g. Vallejo Leather Brown (871), make sure you drybrush out towards the edges as this blends the two colours nicely. Then drybrush with the following colours, all Vallejo, Gold Brown (877), Tan Yellow (912) and Dark Sand (847). The crater should be drybrushed but more lightly. Finish off with a small amount of static grass around the edges.
Here's the finished article.
(click for a larger image)
A closer shot. I may add some 'water effects' mixed with a small amount of Leather Brown to give it a properly muddy appearance. The main Great War rulebook has another example with duckboards, barbed wire, etc.
(click for a larger image)
Oh, and we managed another smallish game. Here's a photo of the start of the game. Apologies if it looks a little odd, I tried to join two pictures with only limited success! ;o)
(click for a larger image)
It was another splendid game too. The scenario was Secure and Hold with four sets of boxes & crates being the objectives. After eight turns both sides had only a handful of shattered units left but the BEF had one battleworthy platoon that was holding the crates in front of the farmhouse and so managed to scrape a victory. I should also mention that the Highlanders - left foreground - managed to advance through a hail of fire from the Beutepanzer (captured tank) and then despatch it in spectacular style with a grenade attack.
Like what you have done with the craters. The game looks good too. Good work.
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