A new backdrop for my miniatures photography is long overdue! The last one I made was back in 2019, and I could do with another location for a bit of variety! I was lucky enough to pick up a set of 3 unreleased 40k scenic panels from the Oldhammer Trading Company Facebook group, and that prompted a quick and dirty build and painting session. Here are the results:
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| Cargo bay 3 is a hive of activity for loading mineral ore from the Eastern Mines. |
The three unreleased 40k panels are flat, single-sided casts, clearly intended to be used to detail walls. Cast in metal, they did require a little bit of clean up to remove the flash.
I mounted the panels onto a 25cm length of foamboard around an opening for a door. The door surround was made from a few resin and plastic detailing pieces I had in my bits box. The rest of the wall was detailed with a selection of plastic rod and scraps of sheet plastic.
I also made a removable door (and later a little alcove so I could have the door flush with the wall or recessed).
In terms of painting, I simply undercoated and sprayed with some cheap tan coloured spray paint, before hitting the whole thing with washes, sponge stippling and some watery brown rust streaks.
With a bit of decent lighting and a few figures to dress it up, I think it works pretty nicely!
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| Tension at landing bay 3 as the crew of the Nebulous Prize are denied access to their ship by the authorities. |
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| Cold Trader Johannes Krail and his crew emerge from his fortified stronghold. |
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| A lost traveller receives no help from local residents. |
I expect this new backdrop might feature heavily in future photography!
Simple and very effective at setting the right mood. Really like what you've done with this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dai! I think that the backdrop shouldn't really detract from the figures too much. Possibly I did make it a bit too colourful, but I wanted something different to the grey I've been using on my buildings :)
DeleteNah, the green is a nice neutral colour and doesn't clash at all with the minis in these pics at least. I think it was a good choice.
DeletePhew! Glad to hear it :)
DeleteThat turned out just sweet! Really spices up your paintwork!
ReplyDeleteAnd reminds my I finally must make fresh backdrop for my stuff - my kid has been asking me about it for a while... ^^
Thanks very much! I'd love to see what you make for your own when you get round to it.
DeleteVery cool. I've been struggling with getting good shots of my miniatures. Seeing something as well done as this makes me think that's the way I should go.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hobbs! Absolutely worth giving it a go.
DeleteGreat step by step explanation. I may have to steal this idea.
ReplyDeleteSteal away! Looking forward to seeing what you make :)
DeleteThis is corking. I'm suprised you didn't include any intel on where the prototypes popped up in photos of the official studio output.
ReplyDeleteHow do you decide the size for these facades? Do they fit into a specific space or shelfsize at axiom hq?
Thanks Curis. Their use in publications is a bit of a blind spot for me actually. Do you know of any? I might revisit the Terrain books and see if anything jumps out.
DeleteThe width is just to match the 25cm square baseboard I made. I don't particularly know why I made the original that size, bit it does fit neatly into the space I have between my printer and shelves on my desk for photography!
I was going to suggest the McVey Space Hulk diorama, but turns out not. And then I was going to suggest the the WD191 Necromunda debut battle report, but turns out not. Oooooh, we've got a potential mystery to solve!
DeleteHenceforth, I am going to refer to measurements of 25mm as being "one Boycehole".
There will be some background scenery where they've been used, guaranteed. Nice to be enshrined in measurements lore too!
DeleteNew backdrop mean new adventures and new atmospher!!
ReplyDeleteRather exciting :)
It's like going to a whole new world! :)
DeleteOh, that's pretty awesome! The metal bits are lovely, just in the fashion of the old plastic bits, they add *that* indefinible quality. I love them. The whole backdrop is terrific, I may be stealing some inspiration from here...
ReplyDeleteThanks Suber! The metal units really do add that important level of detail that helps define the setting :)
DeleteThat last shot is so good ... see how that character seems to be looking behind him and thinking ... paparazzi! :)
ReplyDeletePerhaps! That's the trouble with being a minor celebrity!
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