Constructing a tree

Constructing trees is actually very easy. The only fact that makes the difference between a good and a bad tree is the kind of foliage you use. I use foliage from railroad shops (see picture). It comes in large quantities for a reasonable price. You do have to pay a few $$ for it, but in my opinion it’s money well spent.

Foliage:

The materials - Some wire, electrical cable or anything else that can be ‘styled’. - Some masking or other tape. - Some structure paint (this is mainly paint with flock in it). - Foliage. This can be some moss, green foam or the foliage mentioned above. - Something to base the tree on. Preferably wood or plasticard, as cardboard tends to warp.

Step 1

First the tree trunk is constructed. For this twist the wire in a tree-like shape. A good idea is to check out some trees in the neighborhood and see how they are built. Try and copy the general construction of them with your wire armature. Don’t try and model every branch a tree has, because you’ll lose lots of gaming time and it doesn’t show on the battlefield.

Step 2

Ok, once you have the armature wrap it in tape. It really doesn’t matter which kind of tape you use, because we are going to cover it in structure paint anyway. When putting on the tape, be sure to keep the overlaps neat. If the tape because if these stands up a bit, this tends to show through once covered in paint.

Also remember that a branch is smaller on the tip then on the base. If you don’t keep this in mind your tree is going to look really bizarre (Which could be the look you want for an alien world).

Step 3

Once the tape is on cover the whole thing in structure paint. If any folds of the tape are still apparent repaint them until they blend in.

Also, this is a good time to stick the tree onto a base. I used a simple wooden base, since I had one lying around. But almost anything will do. Just avoid using cardboard, because this will warp and your tree will tip-over very easily.

Step 4

Painting the tree. Use a black undercoat for the whole thing. The drybrush it in the following colors: Bestial Brown, Bubonic Brown, Bleached Bone. Each highlight should leave less paint on the tree than the previous, the Bleached Bone should only be used on the trunk of the tree (not the branches).

Step 5

Foliage. Glue the foliage to the top of the tree and there you have it.

A home grown tree

Basing

We've aready attached it to a base, and you should now base your tree in the same way that you have based your gaming board, ensuring the base will blend in with it.