"Scratch-Built Alien (Xenoform) Walls: Opinions PLEASE" Topic

This is my first attempt at making an embossing roller for stamping alien organic-looking patterns on polystyrene strips:

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I created a prototype for a home-made roller, for embossing 1cm thick polystyrene strips. The stamping area is almost 30mm wide.

The figure is a 15mm Apocalyptic Survivor from Rebel Minis, but can also help those who may want to apply this method for 28mm as well.

I plan to paint and wash (or drybrush) the strip soon.

PLEASE let me know what you think of this experiment. I appreciate any input you can spare.

Dan
PS. Here is my very first attempt at making and using an embossing roller (that time it was for brick patterns):
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PPS. Previous discussion on how to come up with methods for making alien tunnels:
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CC,
The brick ones really look good. For the xenomorph walls, maybe once you paint them they will look better. Right now, they look like excellent stone walls, but they don't quite have that "Alien" feel to them. Maybe some vertical strips of decoration at intervals would help with that feel also.

Having said the above, I will say that I couldn't do what you did with them. So, take the criticism for what it's worth based on that.
BWW

BrianW,

Good point. This was just a first attempt. I've already started something a bit more organic-looking, including some of the bone-like protrusions from film.

In the meantime, I went ahead and gave this polystyrene strip a very light wash of black acrylic paint, just to bring out a little more of the detail possible with this particular roller:

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Dan

Looks good.

Perhaps the next step is to make a larger diameter embossing wheel to allow you a bit more room to detail the surface? The larger wheel with a bit of minimal detail between strong elements, this will allow you to over lap the start and stop points and create a dual detail surface and thus unique small sections for the eye to find.

Consider a single larger pipe/trachea section at a slight angle

But try to inset the embosser with voids, so that the impression will leave a raised section.

Great effort Dan…well done.

Looks good….

I think i might try the idea with Sculpy…

Oooo, I really love that trachea idea!!!

Thanks a million.

Now, on the next one, should I make the "protrusions" vertical or horizontal?

Dan

The wash definitely helped out with the details. Also, maybe use a green wash instead of a black one?
BWW

Will do!

I have put so many things in boxes that black was the only thing I had at hand. If possible, I might get some green or blue tomorrow.

Thanks for all the great ideas. Keep them coming, please.

Dan

BrianW,

So that the original roller doesn't go to waste, I went ahead and added a "dimple" of sorts within the brick-like sections. That way they will look less man made.

As soon as the Green Stuff hardens I will emboss another strip of polystyrene and see how it looks.

Dan

JJ,

Vertical it is then.

Thanks!

Dan

Dan,
Please be sure and post some more pictures of the next go-round.
BWW

Yes please post pictures.

CC,

I'm not sure if this is much help or not, but I think that while your roller might not quite capture the "Aliens" vibe you were shooting for, I think if you painted your wall section in something like a pink, purple or red color and then washed in black or brown, you'd have a pretty good "fleshy" type xeno-wall. Like what I imagine for the interior of a 40k Tyranid ship, or something similar.

In any event, keep us posted. This is a neat project.

EDIT: and I realized I left this out, but I do like the current version myself, while it might not be the 100% infested hive I think you could get some very good use out of it for the transitional corridors between the human section of your layout and the deepest parts of the hive!