As promised, here’s the post about the actual dragon base.
![](https://i0.wp.com/grossmodels.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/D47DF040-C77F-4E1F-B95C-A71A5BF88B6D.jpeg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
I started the base with red, then swirled in some yellows to give a more organic look.
I built a plastic wall around the outside to hold in the next part: PVA
![](https://i0.wp.com/grossmodels.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/015A52FD-E446-4239-96FE-5137EB7FB735.jpeg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
I layer of pva, probably 5 mm thick. I left this to dry for a day, and got: well, not much change actually. I left it another day and again, not much. I think the pva was drying at the top, and I’d made the wall too well so it wasn’t actually letting any air through at all. I removed the wall, and let it dry for another day…..
![](https://i0.wp.com/grossmodels.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/C0F8B76C-401C-4D77-9CDC-46681458CB18.jpeg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Some of the pva was absorbed into the tissue, but I could see obvious signs of drying! I left it again…..
![](https://i0.wp.com/grossmodels.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/0618C6D8-B958-4439-9D48-8D7F0E9EB2E7.jpeg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
And it worked. I decided to give it a little dry brush of orange, to mix it up a little more.
Then came the interesting bit. Crackle.
This was done on the Warhamster stream, “Slapping it on” and using a hairdryer to dry it quickly.
![](https://i0.wp.com/grossmodels.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/B901B7FC-B68A-4DF5-93CD-7185023C448F.jpeg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
This was immediately after drying it. I knew from the test piece it would continue to crack some more if left alone, so I did.
![](https://i0.wp.com/grossmodels.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/686202C1-D47A-4B25-A82E-B3644DCB7A2C.jpeg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
That’s the “finished” base. But not quite complete.
Paul did suggest “Object source lighting” on the rock to add a little more realism. As I hadn’t done any of that before, I thought it would be an interesting experience.
![](https://i0.wp.com/grossmodels.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/0424AE49-7EAA-4934-BFF6-2B97E5B3CE78.jpeg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
It doesn’t show up much in pictures, and isn’t that obvious in person, but I added some red and yellow to the underside of some rocks to imply the light from the lava lighting upwards.
I have a little more touching up to do to the model, but it’s basically done.
Watch on Sunday for the finished dragon, and the start of a new build that my patrons are voting for!
That looks so awesome! Perfect setting for the dragon.
Thank you!
Nice job Chris looks GREAT!
Thanks. I’m pretty happy with it.