August 17, 2008 by Graydon.

It’s really pretty easy to populate a table with trees and plants.

All you really need is cardboard, white glue, 1″ fender washers, wood putty, brown stain, green flock and an assortment of plastic trees and plants.

Take your wood putty and roll it in a 1/2″ to 1″ ball. The taller the plant/tree then the larger the ball of putty. Stick this ball onto your fender washer then stick your tree/plant into the putty. For trees, spread the edges of the putty out creating an irregular shape around the washer. This also provides a larger base.

After the putty hardens, for smaller plants you can dip the entire thing in the stain. For trees you can dip just the top and the base in the stain.

This will darken the putty and stain will also darken the veins in the plant leaves, giving them more depth. Some folks will then spray them will dull coat which proves a base for dry brushing additional color.

The weight of the washers and putty is usually enough to keep smaller trees and plants from tipping over on the gaming table.

For larger trees, I usually glue the trees to irregular oval cardboard bases. I then coat the cardboard and part of the putty with glue and then flock.

The pictures below show the 3 inch palm trees we sell in our webstore (item PHTR02). Now these trees come in pairs, attached at the base (see the leftmost tree in the top picture). I generally cut them apart to make individual trees for variety. These can also be used as large ferns by cutting the trunks ‘way down (bottom picture).

The picture below shows the 6 inch palm trees well sell in our webstore (item PHTR01). It took less than two hours work to get twelve trees to look that nice.

Posted in Terrain | No Comments »

August 7, 2008 by Graydon.

In the US, everyone seems to think Japanese School uniforms have to be painted Navy & White.

BORING! There is a whole lot more to Japanese school uniforms than those two colors.

Research! That’s the key. But where…?

Don’t worry Bucko! In 2007, Strap-ya crafted 20 different Japanese school girl cell phone straps based on careful research on the trendiest school uniforms in the nation.

How? The uniforms were ranked from 1-20 based on which girls’ schools were the most popular with the boys. Teenage testosterone. Works every time.

Notice the variations in style, from the classic sailor suit to the sleeveless sweater tops.

Full chart of all twenty below:

Posted in Miniatures | No Comments »

August 5, 2008 by Graydon.

Alix Elder not only sculpted the original “Space Opera” line but he does a darn nice job as a painter as well. I mention this because he has recently announced that he is restarting his painting service.

Alix’s website is at http://www.aeonminiatures.com

You can find these and our other “Space Cops” under “Left Hand Miniatures > Space Opera”.

Posted in Miniatures | No Comments »

August 4, 2008 by Graydon.

All of the pre-orders have shipped so it is time to let you know the girls of the Niban High School are cast and ready to go!

Posted in Miniatures | No Comments »