I've recently been playing arround with making 3d islands for wizkidds pirates game. I've been making them by carving styrofoam and applying flocking material.

My initial results have been decent. But I'm concerned that since people will move and pick up the islands by toucing the flocked surface it may start to come off. So I'm trying to find some way to seal the suface. Any ideas?

Also any good tutorials for working with flocking? This is the first I've used it.

The first step depends on just what you are flocking with - for sand and/or GW flock I would water down some white glue to about the consistency of cream, and go over the flock with it, securing it in place. The ability to do this is the only reason that I still get the GW flock.

The second step, or first if you are using a crushed sponge flock - Get a good sealer. I would lay down a layer of gloss coat over the flock, allow to dry, then follow with a dull or matte coat.

Hope this helps.

The Auld Grump

Man did the price on flocking go up! I bought mine several years ago when someone first introduced me to minis, back when I thought painting minis would be fun. I never ended up opening any of it, after painting a handful of figures I decided it was too much time, effert, and expense for the results I got. I think I paid $4 for it, and I would be staggered if I paid more than $6. But perhaps I stumbled accross a bargin, the store I shopped at then closed after a couple months so its possible.

Right now I'm still experimenting with it. So I'll use what I've got. Unless I come accross something cheap that would looked more like stone when glued to styrofoam.

The tan sand and green flock look alot like the included islands. But I've been considering painting the sand grey to get a rock look.

A couple pics of my initial pieces.




I haven't sealed them yet so some of the flocking is comming off. I wonder if there is a better glue to use on styrofoam.

I think I may remove the darker green flocking from the skull island, I don't really think it matches well enough.

Your islands are looking great!

I started this weekend on some islands using Sculpey; which I'll prime, paint and flock next.

I made about 5 generic islands, a skull island, an island with a volcano, a couple of 'rocky' islands (high cliffs) and an island with an Easter island type statue on it.

I don't have a digital camera or I would have documented my progress, but I'll at least get shots of the finished project when I'm done.

I did find for some inspiration, but my islands are more in scale with the ones that come with the game itself.

One shot of one of the pieces from the above linked site:



Now, to figure out a nice solution for a good water texture / game mat.

I use something called "Scenic Sand" I got at my local garden store. A nice size bag for a couple of bucks. What I like is that it has various grades of sand, including some small rocks. It really helps texturize the bases.

Aquarium gravel is useful for larger, rougher rocks.

Cork works as well.

Bark nuggets have a nice look.

Do you use as is or paint it?

I'm a masochist and I paint. But you could also just run a wash over the sand and it should look good enough on larger pieces.