PDA

View Full Version : Nickmodaily's Custom Graveyard


nickmodaily
March 4th, 2007, 02:28 PM
Let me first say that I got the idea to make a custom graveyard after
seeing Skynight’s graveyard here:
http://www.heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=1110

I think he did a fantastic job, and without his inspiration, I never would
have tried to build my own. I tried to do it with the foam that he
suggested but I didn’t like the feel of it once it was completed. It seemed
too soft and fragile. I wanted to just be able to store my pieces in a box
with the rest of my terrain without the fear of them getting damaged. I
also wanted the pieces to look like they were actually created for
Heroscape. So all of the custom pieces that I created are made from
plastic and hot glue and they are quite durable. I’m currently working on
getting detailed instructions made so that anyone else can make these as well.

http://www.heroscapers.com/oldgallery/albums/userpics/10297/Zombie_Graveyard~0.jpg

http://www.heroscapers.com/oldgallery/albums/userpics/10297/Zombie_a.jpg

http://www.heroscapers.com/oldgallery/albums/userpics/10297/Zombie_b.jpg

http://www.heroscapers.com/oldgallery/albums/userpics/10297/Zombie_c.jpg

In short, to make the Kyrie statues I just stacked three Lego blocks on
top of each other for the bases. Then I used a hot glue gun to stick the
figures on and to make that little ridge at the bottom. Hot glue works
great because you can really mold it. Once you glue it on, let it dry and
then use the side of the tip of the hot glue gun to smooth out the edges or
sculpt it any way you want to. I used that Stone Touch paint that you get
at Wal Mart to paint them. I first heard about that type of paint from
Skynight's Custom Terrain thread as well.

The crosses are also just made out of Lego blocks with some hot glue.

The tomb stones are Battlements that I cut a little bit with a jig saw. I
used hot glue to fill in the sides and to round out the tops, then just
painted them. I also added little patches of green paint around the bases
to make it look like either ivy or moss.

The walls are Ruins with the tops cut off with a jig saw and then painted
with the same Stone Touch spray paint.

One of the most important parts to making this work is once they have all
been painted, you need to spray them with a matte finish. The Stone
Touch paint tends to stay a little sticky even after it has dried. By using a
finish on it, it gets rid of the stickyness and makes them less likely to chip.

Also, each of the pieces is hot glued to a one hex tile. They looked funny
when I tried to use a regular tile, so I used some cheap wire cutters to
clip around the base of each hex to make them around the same height
as water tiles. After I cut the tile, I sanded down the bottom to make it
smoother. They don't slide around the board and they still kind of
interlock with the other peices. And since each piece is on its own tile
you can change the set up of the graveyard for each game.

Again, I'll try to get more detailed instructions later on.

Malechi
March 4th, 2007, 02:42 PM
Very nice. However, I have never been a big fan of the Stone Paint due to its over use during the early 90's. One thing I have found was using a black wash and a white dry brush over the Stone Paint gives the stone a more natural and much less of a flat look, returning much of the lost definition.

feekonea
March 4th, 2007, 04:15 PM
hey look awesome! Im also thinking about doing that. I was wonering what size legos you used? 2x3 or 2x4? Im asking this cuz I need to go pick up legos at my cousins house (gave mine to him 8) ) and just wanted to make sure. Im also wondering where you got the finish. thanks.

Taelord
March 4th, 2007, 05:25 PM
Cool. I am gonna make these for sure.

nickmodaily
March 4th, 2007, 06:42 PM
hey look awesome! Im also thinking about doing that. I was wonering what size legos you used? 2x3 or 2x4? Im asking this cuz I need to go pick up legos at my cousins house (gave mine to him 8) ) and just wanted to make sure. Im also wondering where you got the finish. thanks.

I used the 2x2 blocks. You can use round ones too if you have them. In the pictures Raelin is made with round and the other two are square. Besides hot glue and paint, this is all you'd need to make one (an example of a round brick is included in the photo):
http://www.heroscapers.com/oldgallery/albums/userpics/10297/IMG_0267.jpg

I just picked up the finish at WalMart. The makers of the Stone Touch paint make a finishing spray, but I couldn't find it at my local WalMart. Instead I just picked up another brand of matte finish. Just make sure you don't get a glossy one. This is the paint and finish that I used:
http://www.heroscapers.com/oldgallery/albums/userpics/10297/IMG_0275.jpg

I hope this helps.

Tiberius
March 4th, 2007, 07:07 PM
Wow, those have a great feel. It really seems like a real graveyard. Great work.

Bixby
March 4th, 2007, 07:09 PM
These are awesome, and "Easy". I mean, even I can make these. :)

Thanks for sharing...

Agent Minivann
March 4th, 2007, 07:42 PM
Nick, did you file down the grass hexes that they are resting on? They look a little shorter than the other hexes.

Raudulfr Shieldcrusher
March 5th, 2007, 02:31 PM
Nick, did you file down the grass hexes that they are resting on? They look a little shorter than the other hexes.

Nick wrote:
Also, each of the pieces is hot glued to a one hex tile. They looked funny when I tried to use a regular tile, so I used some cheap wire cutters to clip around the base of each hex to make them around the same height as water tiles. After I cut the tile, I sanded down the bottom to make it smoother. They don't slide around the board and they still kind of interlock with the other peices. And since each piece is on its own tile
you can change the set up of the graveyard for each game.

:D

ortimus
March 5th, 2007, 06:13 PM
Pretty sweet looking custom terrain. I have thought about making some more of my own. You might have sparked a new interest for me!

Hex_Enduction_Hour
March 5th, 2007, 06:18 PM
The stone kyries are brilliant, Nickmodaily.
I PMed you to ask if you'd consider submitting that graveyard picture for the ZoM entry on HeroscapeWiki, but I don't think you realize the PM's there...?

I Am The Game!!!
March 5th, 2007, 06:24 PM
Great!!!! :thumbsup: Now All Thats Missing Is Some Unnatural Fog From A Smoke Machine.......

Agent Minivann
March 5th, 2007, 06:51 PM
Nick, did you file down the grass hexes that they are resting on? They look a little shorter than the other hexes.

Nick wrote:
Also, each of the pieces is hot glued to a one hex tile. They looked funny when I tried to use a regular tile, so I used some cheap wire cutters to clip around the base of each hex to make them around the same height as water tiles. After I cut the tile, I sanded down the bottom to make it smoother. They don't slide around the board and they still kind of interlock with the other peices. And since each piece is on its own tile
you can change the set up of the graveyard for each game.

:D

:duh: That's what I get for just skimming.

UtahScott
March 5th, 2007, 07:07 PM
So,

How would you rule height issues with the 1/2 high grass tombstone hexes?
Are they level with surrounding terrain, like water?

skyknight
March 5th, 2007, 08:14 PM
Hey look at that, I inspired someone :P Great job all around!!!! And yes my foam is a bit fragile and that is why the graveyard has its own shelf and only comes down once in a while. I still use that set though and I love having battles in the middle of that piece.