Skull Mountain v1
This was my first big terrain piece that I created for my Tyranids. A multi-layered functional terrain where models could actually transverse between the levels. Different techniques were used to paint this including a 1cm wide paint brush, water plant bottle spray and eventually I bought a compressor to air-brush it. As I used gathered bubble polystyrene I save d over the years, it was prone to chipping. Hence once I found condensed polystyrene (or insulation foam board) I started on version 2.
The Skull mountain idea came to me while playing World of Warcraft. The mouth is the main entrance and the eyes would be caverns for the Gargoyles to take flight from. I wanted a canyon that you could see down the multiple layers, hence the scar from the top down to form a nose.
Each layer can be removed to reveal the caverns below with tunnels leading between each layer. The ground layer contained larger caverns to host a large slumbering Tyranid monster and a spawning chamber. The underground layer would form a series of tunnels like catacombs for the Genestealers to infect.
Skull Mountain v2
Even though I discovered and purchased dense polystyrene (loft insulation foams boards) for quite some time, it was quite some time before GW came out with Armies on Parade before I had a sense of direction. I would have my own Epic Armies on Parade. Hence I had the driving force to complete my Tyranid Army and display them on a new improved version of Skull Mountain.
From the Tactical Command Forum, I learned from Curis where I could purchase cheap acrylic paint. Without this I believe this would have not been completed as the GW paints were quite expensive.
From the Tactical Command Forum, I learned from Curis where I could purchase cheap acrylic paint. Without this I believe this would have not been completed as the GW paints were quite expensive.
1) The front entrance before skull mountain. 2) The front entrance from the inside. 3) Corner gargoyle tower. 4) South-East mountain corner.
1) East wall section closed configuration. 2) East wall section open configuration. 3) Toppled rock tower.
1) Nose chasm. 2) Skull Mountain front. 3) Mountain top hole forming the nose chasm.
1) Gargoyle Cavern forming the eyes with two pits down to the bottom. 2) Base level forming the mouth of the mountain with main cavern on the left.
3) Underground Genestealer Cavern with tunnel on the left leading up to the front of the mountain.
3) Underground Genestealer Cavern with tunnel on the left leading up to the front of the mountain.
1) Rear view of the mountain showing the back of the main cavern and Genestealer cavern. 2) Rear ramp leading up from the Genestealer cavern up to the main cavern with top section removed. 3) Front tunnel entrance leading down into the Genestealer Cavern.