Continuing from my last post, I finally got off my rear and started working on putting together tree bases for my various gaming periods and scales. In the past, I tended to use single mounted trees on some type of under base (cloth, flocked felt or plastic). However, as time has gone by, I have become more attracted using tree bases that hold multiple trees. I have been lax in building up my snow covered terrain for quite some time, so this was my chance to rectify that problem! This project was to create winter snow covered pine trees. In this segment, I will show you my 15mm snow covered pine tree bases.
In the case of these trees, they are used primarily for Flames of War and Horse and Musket gaming. As such, I wanted them to have a little height, but also provide for linear options.
I started with purchasing a number of bags of bases from Battlefield Accessories (linear bases) and others from Battlefield Terrain Concepts (roundish bases). Unfortunately, they are a little hard to get. You can find them at some conventions or email Dean directly at Battlefield Accessories or email customer service at Battlefield Terrain Concepts. You can find other companies that make similar products or just make your own out of chipboard, Popsicle sticks or other materials.
The BA bases come in a light grey resin with holes in them (I did have to drill these out better in about thirty percent of the bases). The Battlefield Terrain Concepts bases are a light tan resin with no holes in them. I just laid them all out and gave the bases a medium grey spray paint base coat (Krylon). I then hit them with a gloss white spray paint (Krylon). Once that dried, I hit them again with the gloss white spray paint and quickly covered them in white snow flock from Woodland Scenics. After that dried, I sprayed everything with gloss coat (Krylon). I let that dry and then pulled out by handing power drill and started drilling! A few holes here and their, until I was happy with each base’s coverage. Bases done!
I opted to go with the JTT brand of trees again for the bases. JTT offers different styles and colors, as well as tree heights. I bought the packs that had trees from 1″ to 4″. I think this gives a nice variance. The trees are made on metal wire, so they are very resilient and will not break. The trunk is rather long (about an inch long), for what I needed. I just cut them down with a pair of tin snips and then glued them to the bases using white glue. Let that dry and I know have a good number of tree bases (this is batch one of two).
Terrain is always easy to do and you can get a good amount done in a short amount of time. I often find it a good filler for my normal painting, just to know something out to keep motivated!
- Manteuffel