This scenery project began life as a concept sketch. The idea was to build a larger mycetic spore that the Tyranids would use to land their bigger bio-constructs on a planet’s surface.

Click on the images below to see a larger picture.

Step 1

Stack three 2" square foam squares on top of each other. Cut out three semi-circles of decreasing size out of insulation foam. Use white glue (or Liquid Nails) to stick all the pieces together as shown above and glue the assembly to a hardwood base.

Step 2

Shape the pieces with a sanding block until you create a nice organic shape. Use the photos to the right as guides. Cut cracks into the prow of the spore with a hobby knife to represent fractures in the chitinous plates which split upon impact with the planet’s surface.

Step 3

Detail your spore’s base with a combination of insulation foam cut offs, rocks, spackle, and Liquid Nails. You can build up “earth” around the front and sides of your spore to represent the point of impact. This plowed-up earth can also be used to hide any gaps in your spore. When the spore and base are dry, paint the entire piece with Chaos Black. Brush the paint on, as spray paint will eat into the foam.

Step 4

Drybrush the spore’s base with Dark Flesh, then Bubonic Brown, and then Bleached Bone. Of course, you can use different colours if you like. Many players like to use colours that match those on the surface of their gaming table.

Step 5

Paint the spore in two parts. Basecoat the prow with Bestial Brown and drybrush with Bubonic Brown. Streak the front with Bleached Bone and then with Skull White to give the armoured prow a bony, armoured look.

Step 6

Basecoat the cargo area with Scab Red and then drybrush with Blood Red followed by Fiery Orange. As a finishing touch, stipple the top of the cargo area with Chaos Black and then Liche Purple. Apply wood glue to areas of the base and sprinkle static grass over top. Once your glue dries, you’re ready to game with your large mycetic spore!!!