Kallistra sell their hex terrain as blanks or ready flocked. I prefer the ready flocked because the results are more consistent and the quality control is higher than I was able to achieve when I worked on a blank set.
Even when buying the flocked modules, it is still nice to be able to customise the odd piece for visual impact. In this instance, I needed an area of wetland / marsh for a Hastings game, so I started off with a ready flocked ‘3 hex lake’ and embellished it as follows;
A paint mix of a duller blue / brown colour was made from thick acrylic paint (the tubed stuff from art shops) which was dabbed over the water. The dabbing with thick paint left a good marshy texture on the surface.
Next, Brown Earth Basetex (sand & paint) was added to some areas of water margin, together with some stones.
Woodland Scenics do a useful range of bushes and course turf. The bushes were added sparingly, including some clumps being placed onto the grassed bank. The course turf was put onto the water, it’s low profile being ideal to represent wetland vegetation.
The two groups of reed were made from the bristles of a yard brush and while quite sparingly used here, large reed beds could have been used instead.
Finally, a dirty wash was applied to the exposed water surface and basetex.
The dirty wash was mixed roughly at 10% brown ink, 45% water and 45% floor polish. The polish gives a sheen and as can be seen in this side on shot, it does leave the wetland with a nice reflective quality on the exposed water.
The final piece looks good on the table and has enough open areas to remain functional. - it should at least keep the Saxon flank safe !
