Scratch Built Druchii Tower

Discover the age-old techniques of painting...

Moderators: Layne, xFallenx, cultofkhaine

Forum rules
Remember that picture file size should be no larger than 256KB.
For the full Painting and Modelling rules, visit [url]http://www.druchii.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=27440[/url]
User avatar
Tzelok
Beastmaster
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:14 pm

Scratch Built Druchii Tower

Post by Tzelok »

Hello all,

After seeing the WAR concept art I decided I wanted to make a tower.

I used balsa wood, cardboard, plasticard, and a few bits.

If anyone is interested I can post links to step by step (ish) pictures.

I am very happy with the way it all turned out, definitely the nicest piece of terrain I have built IMO.

Let me know what you all think! (Apologies about the photos, my camera ended up in a pitcher of beer...so these are from my phone).

Image
Image
Image
Last edited by Tzelok on Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Army Plog Below:
http://www.druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=63015

Scratch Built Druchii Tower:
http://druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=67976&highlight=

The League of Extraordinary Druchii Gentleman
User avatar
Dalamar
Dragon Lord
Dragon Lord
Posts: 9675
Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2002 6:42 pm
Location: Designing new breeds of Dragons

Post by Dalamar »

Only have one word for this:
Awesome.
7th edition army book:
Games Played: 213
Games Won: 114 (54%)
Games Drawn: 33 (15%)
Games Lost: 66 (31%)

8th Edition army book W/D/L:
Druchii: 36/4/16
User avatar
Cat-the-odd
Beastmaster
Posts: 392
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2003 4:09 pm
Location: Duisburg, Germany
Contact:

Post by Cat-the-odd »

Hi.

That tower is a really good piece of work. Indeed well done.
What I like is the idea of two layers of tower wall, composing the unique look of a slender, yet strong build. Even the details like how the door fits in (knocker rings - yay) and the framing two banners. Really well done.

For my personal interest I ask you to upload some of these WIP pictures as well. I want to learn how you started off. A roll of card? A cross of balsa wood?

Cheers.
CATR
../¨¨¨|
.|ô/ô 9..Real sportsmen hunt with arrows and fish with flies.
.~~ /|...Real gentlemen play games which require skill, not tools.
.|__/\...Extraordinary gentlemen even win with them.
.[>o<]...Welcome to the League of Extraordinary Druchii Gentlemen
User avatar
Tzelok
Beastmaster
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:14 pm

Post by Tzelok »

Thanks for the feedback guys! I am glad you like it.

Step 1:
Image

I drew out the basic shape I wanted, made a template out of cardboard, then cut out the shapes on thicker balsa wood, then sanded down the edges.

Also note the CD. I drew out where each of the panels would go (8 in total) and glued some balsa strip guides onto the cd, which was used as my base.

Step 2:
Image

The "blade" parts were a little weak, as they ran with the balsa grain, so I cut out some plastic card and used it to reinforce the blades, then reinforced the super weak part where the blade met the tower body using brownstuff.

Step 3:
Image

I used plastic strip to add "guides" for the actual wall panels to lean against and to give me a surface to glue on to.

Step 4:
Image

This part was a bit tricky, but basically I stood the panels up using the guides. Once everything was where I wanted I douced it with super glue and sprayed it with accelerant to ensure it stayed in place.

Step 5: Image

I glued a rounded base (larger one that someone at GW gave me to use as a Imperial Guard weapons team base, but it is a bit "thinner" then the regular 40k ones) to the top to add a nice flat surface to the top as well as increase the structural integrity.

I then drew out templates for the walls, cut them to fit, added a duplicate shape underneath to add the illusion of layers, and used some corrugated cardboard for those wall centers.

I cut out a shape for the door and glued a sheet of plasticard to the back. I did the same thing for the windows, but also used thinly cut plasticard to make the window frame.

Step 6:
Image

I used plastic strip to seperate the doors from the gate, the knocker rings are just wire wrapped around a pen and then cut. The hinges are the spiky bit that came with the old dark eldar (the one that fit on the back of their helmets) that I cut up.

The thing on top of the door is the front of an old dark eldar jetbike, two corsair hooks, and a skull and candle from the empire wizard box.

Step 7:
Image

Created the staircase with balsa wood sides then glued balsa strip to make the stairs. Used columns from the gothic scenery pack with brass rod, a warrior spearhead, and the warrior banner to make the banners. The candelabras are from the same scenery pack, except I cut the top off and put it on a more druchii-like stand cut from plasticard.

After this pic I brownstuffed the stairs and sculpted some stones in the steps, based it on some MDF I cut with a jigsaw. I would have taken pictures but I was on break for a week from Uni and was far too excited to get it painted up before I had to get back to school!
Last edited by Tzelok on Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:07 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Army Plog Below:
http://www.druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=63015

Scratch Built Druchii Tower:
http://druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=67976&highlight=

The League of Extraordinary Druchii Gentleman
User avatar
Nellamik
Black Guard
Posts: 278
Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2009 2:10 pm
Location: Near the windy city Illinois

Post by Nellamik »

Awesome stuff
Last edited by Nellamik on Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
No amount of planning can ever replace dumb luck.
User avatar
Lazarus
Phlebotomist of Khaine
Posts: 344
Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2004 11:22 pm
Location: Philadelphia

Post by Lazarus »

Very nice job, the details that you've added really make the model shine.
I've been to Middenheim,
I've been to Ulthuan,
I've been to Cathay too,
So what, so what
so what so what you boney little f***
User avatar
Phierlihy
Malekith's Best Friend
Posts: 2089
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:19 am

Post by Phierlihy »

That's one of the finest pieces of Druchii terrain I've seen counting the stuff GW does in studio. Very nice indeed. I hope Morathi offers you a night of debauchery with her Witch Elves for your efforts =)
User avatar
Vladdrak
Cold One Knight
Posts: 202
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2003 6:15 pm
Location: Har Ganeth (Belgium)

Post by Vladdrak »

That is one kick-ass druchii tower. This is definately one of the best pieces of dark elf terrain I've seen so far. Blood and Souls!!!
User avatar
Tzelok
Beastmaster
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:14 pm

Post by Tzelok »

Thanks everyone, I am happy my Druchii brethren approve!

I think I have to take the 100pt watchtower now just so I can take this thing to GW and watch the redshirts salivate haha.
Army Plog Below:
http://www.druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=63015

Scratch Built Druchii Tower:
http://druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=67976&highlight=

The League of Extraordinary Druchii Gentleman
User avatar
Saori_nightstar
Black Guard
Posts: 281
Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:30 pm
Location: Naggaroth
Contact:

Post by Saori_nightstar »

OMG soooooo amazing! make me one please lol :)
Image Image Image
Lil' Waaagh Army | DRUCHII PLOG

'I may have the week and feeble body of a woman, I but I can assure you, I have the heart and stomach of a King!' - Elizabeth I
The avenger
Beastmaster
Posts: 316
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 4:57 pm

Post by The avenger »

Sehr gut mister 8) Really like it :) With those skills, perhaps you could make a small part of a DE town? :P
User avatar
Tzelok
Beastmaster
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:14 pm

Post by Tzelok »

Dankeschon meine freunde (forgive my spelling/grammar, my German is a bit rusty :P).

I have actually been thinking of a few different terrain pieces that I will be working on in the future, probably after April when I am done at university. I will likely be building the following in a druchii-like fashion.

House/Slave merchant/Smithy
Tents
Castle Gate with walls
a makeshift war fort

I am also going to be possibly designing my future terrain in a manner that I can cast molds so I can recreate them without as much effort. I don't know how feasible it would be costwise for me, but I figure it would be pretty neat regardless to be able to reproduce plastic versions of everything I make (the tents come to mind here, druchii war camp anyone?)
Army Plog Below:
http://www.druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=63015

Scratch Built Druchii Tower:
http://druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=67976&highlight=

The League of Extraordinary Druchii Gentleman
L1qw1d
Malekith's Personal Guard
Posts: 890
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 2:50 pm
Location: Kittenmarsh
Contact:

Post by L1qw1d »

this is BRILLIANT!
are we allowed to try this ourselves :D?
Oderint dum Metuant.
User avatar
Tzelok
Beastmaster
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:14 pm

Post by Tzelok »

Of course! Thats why I did the step by step! Feel free to post or PM me if you have any questions while you are going along with it.
Army Plog Below:
http://www.druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=63015

Scratch Built Druchii Tower:
http://druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=67976&highlight=

The League of Extraordinary Druchii Gentleman
Maldor
Malekith's Best Friend
Posts: 1071
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 11:13 pm

Post by Maldor »

Thanks for the step by step. I definitely want to try this myself.

Off topic, I have that same amp.
Lock up your children, shut all windows tight.
The Witch Elves are hunting for victims tonight.
When old hags do knock at your door, you must hide,
Your death is the gift sought by Khaine's pretty brides.
The virgin forest
Black Guard
Posts: 263
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:49 pm

Post by The virgin forest »

Nice :)
User avatar
Tzelok
Beastmaster
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:14 pm

Post by Tzelok »

Np Maldor, and isn't it a great little amp? I live in a basement suite so I have to play quiet most of the time, and it plays clearly enough when quite, but boy does it howl when needed!
Army Plog Below:
http://www.druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=63015

Scratch Built Druchii Tower:
http://druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=67976&highlight=

The League of Extraordinary Druchii Gentleman
User avatar
Mdk
Slave on the Altar
Posts: 3015
Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2002 10:40 am
Location: The Netherlands

Post by Mdk »

This is a great looking tower. Thanks for the tutorial aswel. Cheers.
You’re a wreck, an accident.
Forget the freak, your just nature.
Keep the gun oiled, and the temple cleaned shiz
snort, and blaspheme, let the heads cool, and the
engine run. Because in the end, everything we do,
is just everything we’ve done.
User avatar
Dyvim tvar
Lord of the Dragon Caves
Lord of the Dragon Caves
Posts: 8372
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 6:34 pm
Location: The Dragon Caves of the Underway (Indianapolis IN)
Contact:

Post by Dyvim tvar »

Really good -- what are the dimensions?
Truly These are the End Times ...
Dustin888
Trainee Warrior
Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:50 am
Location: the Netherlands

Post by Dustin888 »

indeed very nicely done
User avatar
Tzelok
Beastmaster
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:14 pm

Post by Tzelok »

@Dyvim: It has a radius of 3" at the base and a height of 18 inches to the top of the blades.

On a sidenote: I played my first watchtower scenario with it tonight against my HE friend. Despite having killed all of the models in the army but one (a swordmaster champion), he won the game. I must say it was really an enjoyable game and I think a huge part of that was we weren't using a pringles can. Its amazing how big of a difference scenery can make to the enjoyment of a game!
Army Plog Below:
http://www.druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=63015

Scratch Built Druchii Tower:
http://druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=67976&highlight=

The League of Extraordinary Druchii Gentleman
User avatar
Phierlihy
Malekith's Best Friend
Posts: 2089
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:19 am

Post by Phierlihy »

The tutorial is easy to follow however the one thing not covered and most likely the trickiest is - how did you make the side outer panels of the building? I can't imagine you had a template ahead of time for how the outer walls would fit.
Kurl-soulrender
Black Guard
Posts: 285
Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:10 am
Location: Denmark.

Post by Kurl-soulrender »

I think 1000 of my portential babies just died on the keyboard..
Srsly that is the coolest druchii terrain i've ever seen. And epic with your tutorial.
:D:D
-JK.
User avatar
Tzelok
Beastmaster
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:14 pm

Post by Tzelok »

the one thing not covered and most likely the trickiest is


True. I will draw up a similar "template like" shape I used, but the key was I made a cardboard one, and just kinda tried to shove it in there, made adjustments then made a wood one (sliced thin layers off, be careful of the grain breaking though) and where I was too zealous with my x-acto knife, applied some putty.

@Kurl: Thanks, I am glad you like it. I hope to keep the cool scenery coming (no pun intended...)
Army Plog Below:
http://www.druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=63015

Scratch Built Druchii Tower:
http://druchii.net/viewtopic.php?t=67976&highlight=

The League of Extraordinary Druchii Gentleman
User avatar
Eolelfslayer
Dark Rider
Posts: 147
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:29 pm

Post by Eolelfslayer »

Well, really really good looking piece of scenery.
ILove both design and execution. I suppose, in scale, it is comparable to those gw makes for their displays. This, probably, makes it just a tad on the small scale, but still i have to say it looks rather impressive. Any shots with models?
I hold a banner drenched in blood, I urge you to be brave
I lead you to your destiny, I lead you to your grave
Your bones will build my palaces, your eyes will stud my crown
For I am Khaine, the god of war, and I will cut you down.
Post Reply