To build an to be used during the Black Seas battles I used the template that was included in Master & Commander set. At basically turned 2D piece of terrain into 3D.
The first step was to prepare a base. I decided to order MDF base with somewhat random shape, large enought to fit in the Island and still have some extra space for water.
Step 1. Cut the desired shape in styrofoam, preferably of 1-1,5mm.
Step 2. Add some more styrofoam features on top of it, should be 5mm at least, some elevation for buildings might be used
Step 3. Paint 3D printed buildings according to your own preferances. In my case the walls are off-white/ivory, roofs of reddich/orange.
Step 4. Paint the main body of an island witt grey, then drybrush with lighter greys. Some black wash can be used as well.
Step 5. With Vallejo Earth Paste prepare the surface
Step 6. Martello tower - scratch build. There are 3 circles of styrofoam (5m each) +top part is 2mm ring made of stryofoam. Then everything is covered with a plaster. Using a sharp tool make bricks. First go for horizontal lines, then add irregular vertical to mimic a stone it is built from.
Step 7. Doors for Martello made of 1mm plexi. Guns - 3D printed
Step 8. Water around the island was made using toilet paper soaked with diluted wood glue. Then painted with turquoise colours.
Step 9. Time to add some vegetation. Tropical islands typical feature are of course palm trees. I decided to make them out of paper like PVC. Cut to stripes 2-3mm wide and about 10-12mm long. Before the final cut to length, I cut multiple times to get pal leaves structure.
Step 10. Each palm leaf was glued to copper wire. 12 of such make a single palm. Then all connected together by twisting the wires.
Step 11. Each palm trunk was then covered with a thread to get characteristic structure.
Step 12. Make sure to add paths on the island - I made them using several coulurs of brown/sandy/reddish pigments.
Step 13. Time to add another types of vegetation. Different types of flock will be needed, some taller, some just for bushes.
Step 14. Small details like a rowing boat on a seashore will make the terrain more 'alive'. And will catch an eye.
Gallery of the final Island is here.