It seems a little strange to be sitting here writing an article about making simple fields, rather than writing something about one of the MDF kits we manufacture but as I have said though in previous articles, I’m not very good at ‘selling’ my products! Perhaps we’ll have a look at one of our kits soon, but after scrolling through some old images I’m motivated to write about simple fields.
This is an easy project that adds a good deal of interest and ‘life’ to a rural scene, I specifically use them in lots of World War 2 settings, but they also work well in any fantasy setting. Add a few hedges and some timber fences and you have a wonderful farm scene.
For this quick and easy project I use cheap door mats available from Bunnings Warehouse – our local DIY store, they are easy to cut with scissors or a good knife and make the idea starting point. I start by cutting the mat into smaller sections, you can make them any size you like.
Obviously the mottled grey colour of the door mats isn’t an ideal colour for some fields, so a quick spray with some brown paint gives us our freshly tilled earth. I have used a colour called RAL8017 (I know, great name!) from the Sigma 80 range of street art paints. You could just as easily use any brown paint and brush it on if you’d prefer, but a spray gives better coverage faster.
I’ve continued the next step using another spray from Sigma 80 (the obvious and aptly named A-8001) but this is an ideal time to use a drybrush technique to add some colour variation to your fields.
It looks like I have used some flock in this next image, but I haven’t, I can only think it looks like that because I used a spray paint and it’s gently nature has picked up the fibres of the mat.
What I have used though is some canopy material from Woodland Scenic applied with some PVA. I simply spread a little glue on the mat with a paintbrush and then apply some of the canopy material. This gives a reasonable representation of new growth or shoots, it’s enough to provide a convincing look from three feet away.
I’ve seen some wonderful examples of various types of fields using different kinds of flocks and foliage, I’m keen to spend an afternoon or two playing about with different techniques to add some variety to the studios collection of fields.
Sealed with a little watered down PVA glue these fields will be durable enough for many games to come. If I do get around to making some different fields I’m sure I’ll take some pictures to include in an article in the future.
I first use a spray bottle, with a 50/50 mix of water and IPA (isopropyl alcohol), and give the field a light spray, this helps break the surface tension and will make it easier for the watered down PVA to spread out and help secure the foliage to the mat.
To apply the watered down PVA, which is roughly 1 part glue to 8 parts water, I use a syringe but you could just as easily use a dropper bottle or a pipette. Once this is dry I will sometimes apply a second layer of glue as much of it will soak into the mat itself.
A few fences, some hedges, a building or two and you have a wonderful looking table!
This technique for creating simple, ploughed or new-growth fields is a great way to add some interest to your tables as well as provide some difficult ground for your troops to cross or defend!