Article updated: 2020.03.26
Most miniature terrain includes some kind of trees. This article is a collection of articles about making trees for miniature games. I've collected the sources and tutorials I've found interesting.
Making trees
Wargameterrain: How to: Jungle Trees: A tutorial about jungle trees.
Wargameterrain: How to: Inspiring Tree Ferns: A tutorial about tree ferns.
Mr. BUG-Man: Tutorial Sculpting Texture: Tutorial about texturing trees using putty. (2019.12.21: The illustrations seem to be missing. You need to click on the image placeholders to see the photos.)
Dale: Wooden Trees: An interesting approach for making model trees from wooden parts.
Lukes APS: Cheap Wargaming Trees (Tips and Talk Ep 5): A video about enhancing cheap toy trees with additional flocking. (2020.03.26: The video is offline.)
Creating clump foliage
The Terrain Tutor: Cheap and easy clump foliage (Frugal Wargames Foliage): A very thorough and easy to understand video tutorial about creating foliage from composite foam or sponges.
Methods
Method - Branch & Flock
County Gate: HOW TO MODEL REALISTIC TREES AND PLANTS: A tutorial article that introduces the basics of creating miniature vegetation.
County Gate: HOW TO MODEL TREES: Tutorial article about creating model trees.
County Gate: HOW TO MODEL HEDGES: Tutorial article about creating model hedges.
Jez (for Table Top Games UK): Terrain Corner – Trees: Tutorial article about creating trees from Woodland Scenics armature and flock.
Jim Elster: Making Scenic Express SuperTrees: Tutorial video. He uses specific materials but I think it can be applied to other materials and tree types.
Glebe Road Junction: Making Realistic Trees!: Tutorial video.
Avian (from Avian): Making Trees: Tutorial article, using twigs.
Method - Wire trees
Articles about how you make wire trees built on wire frames. It's similar to the Branch & Flock method, but you create the shape of the branch using wire. It takes more time but it's more sturdy and lasts longer.
Bató Zsolt (BaTTka1): Metamorphosis - The way a wire changes into a tree (in Hungarian): Tutorial article with pictures to create wire trees.
EverythingFimo: Miniature Bonsai Tutorial-Polymer clay: Tutorial video, using polymer clay for the trunk, and lichen for the greens.
James Collard (BrushStroke): Tutorial: Trees (Facebook): Tutorial article.
TheTerrainTutor: Realistic Scenic Trees - Wire Armatures: Tutorial video.
Method - Pipe trees
How to make trees using pipes. You can use plastic pipes, paper towel rolls.
Dr Mathias (on Lead Adventure Forum): Dr Mathias's Arboreal: Forum about creating jungle trees.
der Müller (on Facebook): Large jungle trees: Photos with ideas about creating jungle trees.
der Müller (on Facebook): Gallery of the trees: Showcase.
Icarus Games: How to Make Endor Trees for Star Wars Legion | Let's Make Wargaming Terrain: Tutorial video.
jimbibbly (from Jimbibblyblog): Tree trunk tutorial: Tutorial article.
sotf (on OnTableTop): Truncated Trees Tutorial: Tutorial article about making tree trunks from pipes.
- sotf (on OnTableTop): Truncated Trees Tutorial part 1: Materials Required and First Steps
- sotf (on OnTableTop): Truncated Trees Tutorial part 2: Advancing Into The Deep Woods
- sotf (on OnTableTop): Truncated Trees Tutorial part 3: Beneath Absent Boughs
- sotf (on OnTableTop): Truncated Trees Tutorial part 4: Looking Through The Woods
Star Builds: Star Wars Legion: Endor Project - Sequoia Trees part I: Tutorial video.
Tree types
Type - Palm trees
Diether Etzel (on Facebook): Creating Palm trees in 1:35 scale: A tutorial article with images.
Type - Conifer and pine trees
Abysmal1: Making pine tree models (in Hungarian): A good tutorial for making pine trees using skewer sticks, cardboard, and sawdust.
Luke Towan: Modeling Realistic Pine Trees, Cheap! Fast! and Very Easy! – How-To – Model railroad: Tutorial video about creating Branch & Flock pine trees from branches of Foxtail Fern and green flock.
Star Builds: Star Wars Legion: Endor Project - Pine Trees: Tutorial video.
Tabletop Oddity: Star Wars Legion - Endor Trees Tutorial - Simple - Conifer Style: Tutorial video.
Type - Jungle vines
You can create vines using wire or strings of rope.
Dr Mathias (on Lead Adventure Forum): Dr Mathias's Arboreal: Forum about creating jungle trees.
der Müller (on Facebook): Large jungle trees: Photos with ideas about creating jungle trees.
der Müller (on Facebook): Gallery of the trees: Showcase.
* * *
Do you know any further methods for making trees for miniature games? Do you know other good sources? Tell us in the comments!
Comments powered by CComment