Hello everyone. With so many great articles on terrain making and other's logs, I wasn't sure if mine would be of interest. But I thought that I should contribute and maybe it would help someone or they could even expand on mine and make it better.
The purpose of this was to show that basic things just "laying around" the house can provide for a cheap yet effective way of making terrain pieces.
Also, this is a reminder that these are inspired by the ones GW made in the General's Compendium.
1) First I found some proportionate paper cups. I chose slightly larger ones as I thought as opposed to a single-living occupancy, each orc hut would be able to accomodate 3 orcs. Just a preferance. I cut the tops off (which would be the bottom of the hut - be careful to cut fairly straight) leaving the bottom (hut top) intact. Also, using a miniature for size-guide, cut out a rectangle door.
**Please note this is a deviation from GW's Generals Compendium which cut the bottom of the cup out and instead of my method, used a "center pole" for roof - more on this later**
2) Find some thin cloth that you (or your significant other) doesn't mind cutting up. If you have burlap or something equivalent, it should add good texture.
3) I had some old cloth netting laying around that I used for the "door". It doesnt' have to be this, you can use regular cloth or even if you have an extra army banner in your bits box. If you use cloth, cut the bottom of the door so it's jagged and looks torn and well-used/old.
4) For the bases, I cut cardboard circles - these happen to be from boxes that swimming-pool inner tubes were in. I cut it so about 2" of extra base was left around the outside of the orc hut.
***NOTE*** You will want a wet paper-towel or old washcloth for cleaning your hands readied as well.
So, here is what we have so far:
5) next up is mixing watered-down pva glue. This is a judgement call, but in a separate paper cup (or something you don't plan on drinking from later) pour in a little water (I had 2-3 inches) and then mix pva glue and stir. The outcome should look like a milky-white mix.
6) Next, using the cloth (if used) doors completely soak in the pva-mixture one at a time, lifting up and letting some of the liquid drop off. The styling is up to you. Some of the "doors", I folded/creased areas to give a billowing effect. Next, attach each "door" just above the huts walkthrough opening. This can be a bit tricky as your hands will be wet from pasty glue. After each door, I cleaned off my hands with the wet washcloth.
7) Next up, cut small cardboard squares. Glue these together and place in the center of the roof. These are to represent the centerpole. Make sure this is higher than the sides of the cup to create a peak. (** this was the deviation from General's Compendium as they used an actual center pole. I find that my method is less tedious and easier to do... but feel free to do either way or create your own!**)
8) Next, glue 4 or 5 roof support beams as shown. Note - I find it better to have one centered on the doorway for a more natural look. When that is completed, glue the hut to its base.
9) Cut random sizes of thin fabric. This will be used to represent leather covering the hut. In this pic, I used a cloth-like paper towel used in many workshops.
10) Like the fabric we did for the doors, dip the cut-out pieces into the glue-mixture. (things will get messy. Placing some old newspapers underneath would help protect tables etc.) Apply pieces to the sides of the hut first. I suggest working from the ground up as to create a nice layered effect.
11) Next work on the roof. In a circular pattern, work from the outside to inside with the final piece centered on the roof.
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Originally Posted by zoggin-eck
