Quick Answer
Start with a dark base coat on your Combat Zone: Cyber Ruins, then drybrush lighter grays to bring out the cardboard texture. Add rust, grime, and a few neon accents for that post-apocalyptic cyberpunk look.
Why Drybrushing Works Best on Cardboard Terrain
The Combat Zone: Cyber Ruins are made from high-quality cardboard, which has a subtle texture that drybrushing catches perfectly. This technique highlights the ruined walls and broken pipes without needing advanced painting skills. A heavy wash can soak into the cardboard and warp it, so stick to thin acrylic layers.
Step-by-Step Painting Guide
- 1. Seal and Base Coat: Spray the assembled Cyber Ruins with a matte black primer or apply a thin layer of black acrylic paint. This seals the cardboard and gives a dark foundation for shadows. Skip this step and the cardboard may absorb moisture and curl.
- 2. Heavy Drybrush with Dark Gray: Load a stiff brush with dark gray paint, wipe most of it off on a paper towel, then scrub it over all raised surfaces. This picks out the texture of ruined walls and debris. Don't overload the brush; too much paint will fill the texture you are trying to highlight.
- 3. Light Drybrush with Neutral Gray: Repeat the drybrushing with a lighter gray, focusing on the top edges of walls, pipes, and rubble. This creates a natural stone or concrete look. Use a circular motion to avoid streaks and keep the highlights soft.
- 4. Add Rust and Grime Washes: Mix a dark brown or orange-brown wash (paint heavily thinned with water) and apply it to corners, joints, and lower sections. Let it pool in recesses to simulate rust and mud. Wipe away excess wash from flat areas immediately to prevent staining.
- 5. Apply Neon Accents: Paint a few small details—cables, graffiti, or glowing vents—with a bright neon color like magenta or cyan. This gives the ruins a cyberpunk feel without covering the gritty base. Keep accents sparse; one or two spots per ruin section is enough for effect.
- 6. Matte Varnish for Protection: Spray or brush on a matte varnish to seal the paint and protect the cardboard during transport and gameplay. Use a matte finish; gloss will ruin the weathered look you just created.
Product Used in This Guide
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Combat Zone: Cyber Ruins: Crafted from high-quality, durable cardboard, our Cyber Ruins terrain is easy to assemble and lightweight. The cardboard surface takes paint well but requires a sealed base coat to prevent warping, making it ideal for the drybrushing steps below.
Combat Zone: Cyber Ruins