Skull Mountain v1
This was my first big terrain piece that I created for my tyranids. This is a multi leveled terrain that was intended to be functional in the respect that models could actually transverse each level. Different techniques was used to paint this over the course of its creation as I started with trying to paint this with a paint brush. Followed by spray paint and then an airbrush using cans of compressed air. Finally I splashed out for an air compressor rather than repeatdly purchasing cans of compressed air. Unfortunately I used bubble polystyrene that I saved up many years ago and this was prone to being chipped. Hence the plan to start again with a better material.
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 levels, hence the scar at the top that also forms the nose.
The top layer can be removed to reveal the Gargoyle caverns with two other tunnels leading down. The main layer leading out of the mouth would contain the outer chamber with some ledges and tunnels from below for Tyranids to pounce onto intruders. The second chamber is where I would home the slumbering Tyranid Monster and a third chamber for the spawning of new Tyranids.
The bottom layer would form a series of tunnels like catacombs where the Genestealers would infest.
Skull Mountain v2
I had purchased some dense polystyrene (used for loft insulation 47x19.5) for quite some time to use as the platform for my gaming board, however never did come up with a good way forward. The combination of the newly released GW gaming board and the Armies on Parade set me down the path I now have planned.
Cutting my boards into squares (giving me two 19.5x19.5 from each piece), these would form the base for my Epic Armies on Parade. My Skull Mountain v2 would be the first for my newly completed Tyranid army (not quite complete as they brought out new miniatures).
Luckily I was informed on the forum by Curis where I could buy good cheap acrylic paint otherwise GW paints would have been costly and possibly slowed my progress. So finally I have completed my Skull Mountain v2 at a fraction of the original cost.
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.
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.
