TERRA6, Van cab and chassis 7*14, 4" Polystyrene

[Terra6]

As I've been thinking about an overall concept design for the rig, have done some research online in regards to the overland outdoor theme. There's lots of nice design and graphics done by the pros. What I could do with design software and a vinyl printer. Amazing what's possible with tech and cash.
So far I'm willing to invest $10 to see what I can come up with.
My current kabuki red stripe job had cost me $20 in materials.
See how much more I can spice up the exterior for that outdoorsy look and get away from the drab commercial style.
Have an idea to tie in the exterior look and interior as well.

Here's something Big and bold that I came across that some may find interesting from SEMA 2019. This design would work very well and tie in with what I've done so far easily. Originality is everything, so I have to come up with my own concept idea.
Should I go as big and bold?
Something that symbolizes explore, travel, adventure, like
Mad Max The Road Warrior.

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[Terra6]

So I've sketched up some ideas, cut out some templates and played around with size, colors, proportions.
And continue on with my painting skill development.
The next painting image that I completed.
Do I make Bob Ross proud?
What comes to mind with this image?

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[Terra6]

So here's the design concept that I've developed for travel life symbolism, tying in some interior aspects as well.
It's a 3 x 4 combined.
Couple rough draft version templates to assess placement, scale, size, color, blend and contrasts.
Due to limitations of skill and materials, not going to be CGI quality whatsoever, more like old school crafty, hand painted.
And on a budget of $10 for the paint.
Let's see what i can do with creativity, imagination and, developing from zero, newbie painting skill.

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[Terra6]

Basic initial sketch

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And how it turned out. Not too shabby for a newbie painter..
4 directions, 4 seasons, and the 4 elements.

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And then i get inspired for another design variation. Hmmm, something needs adjusting...
The earth is rotating in the wrong direction.

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Maybe more inspired design variations to come?

[ghcoe]

Looks good!

[Terra6]

Thx George. Compass star would look good on your foamies as well.

Tell you a story about the red stripe.
Plain Jane white isn't my thing. Color and pop are.
So when building Terra6, said what could i do with it to make it more appealing beyond the white yet retain white to maintain cooler summer inside temperatures. Being a Chevy, tried to tie it in with the bowtie image. Guy down the street had a recent Camaro with what they call the hash mark stripes over the front fender wheel well. And as I had a can of plastidip red, copy the stripe as factory original and give it the race support rig look.
Beauty of plastidip, peels off if you don't like it or want a change. After 3 summers, still fine. They paint whole cars with it and have a wide variety of colors online btw.

After I built the box, picked up a clearance ($15) can of exterior paint in Wal-Mart and had it tinted to as close a color as possible to the front red. Some brushes, masking tape and voila!
Matching box stripe. Big and bold, no longer commercial cargo boring. But...
But it did closely copy the coast guard colors. Generally no problem till...
Last year at the beach in Texas, got some official looks there and an ex coast guard officer came by to chat one day. Said to myself, the race stripe and number up front not enough variation so I said a change is in order to avoid any association.
And here it is.
Muscle car enthusiasts will recognize the design style.

Masking, dabbling and painting right along...

Overall perspective view for scale.

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[GPW]

[Terra6]

Thx GPW for the encouragement.
And to encourage others who have viewed this thread and have been thinking about this. I am totally glad that i took the jump from reading and learning on this forum to designing and building my own foamie. Anyone with minimal skill or the desire to accomplish can learn and build their own. It's all fundamental arts and crafts type skills and very simple. Ideal to start with a small project and gain experience and skill.
No major outlay of money or long skill development.
Few basic handtools, a plan and you're off!
When done, sense of accomplishment.
If I can do it, so can you.
My latest as an example, creating an exterior design painted on with a $10 budget. Having no hand painting experience, but some art knack, developed a design and just went for it on my blank canvas rig. Using only Wal-Mart acrylic paints at 50 cents a bottle, bought the colors needed for my design and some basics to mix further shades and tried it. If not happy, just paint over and cover up. Can't go wrong and neither can you.
Happened to have a few paint sample colors from home depot as well at 50 cents that i bought for projects. I'm all in for $10 with imaginative design and self effort. So far I've maybe used a third of my paint for $3.33. I would say the results have been worth the cost.
My designs have been exposed to hot burning sun for a couple of weeks now with no fade.

Your design and build awaits you...

My $10 paint inventory

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[Terra6]

and my latest design that I developed, variations on a theme.
This time incorporating all elements inside the medallion.
Have reworked it a couple times to improve the limitations of my painting skills. Just paint over. Even the masters have been known to do over their canvas.

Getting there but think the flower and sun could be improved.
Really happy with the maple leaf and snowflake.
My skill level and paint not up to what i can envision in my mind. Computer software and fancy printer would be 10x better. Yet happy with my hand painted artsy creation.

I like to call my style 10+, looks good when you're 10+ ft away.
Still a few creative ideas to add...

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[GPW]

Really nice Artwork …. Adds a Lot … !!!

[Terra6]

Thx for the appreciation GPW.

Terra6 is currently AWIP, an art work in progress.

Few more pics. Improved the flower by lightening the centers worked out well. Another variation on the theme as well.
How many more can there be? Maybe 2 more?
Do have an overall concept in mind...
Adventure, explore, travel...

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Tried to give this one a more abstract Monet look.

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[Terra6]

Puttering and painting right along, changed the sun again after 3 or 4 designs and numerous color changes. Reminded me of Bart Simpsons head. Doh!!! So it had to go!

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And my personal credo, make the world a better place.
To inspire others, as they follow my slow driving, and not get mad. Lol

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[Terra6]

Today's top Tnttt trailer tip.
Came up with this way to easily rehitch my trailer solo to quickly line up the tow vehicle hitch ball with trailer coupler.
Cheap quick and fast for one person.
Took 2 pieces of wood with a hinge, drilled out some holes for 6 or 8 inch nails, and stake it behind and against the drivers side rear tire as a marker. Install when setting up camp and before you unhitch.
This marker is easy to see and reference to back up to just about the exact spot needed to align with the trailer coupler.
Could also use string, rope, ribbon, plastic strip or whatever.
I've even used spray paint on the ground or pave to mark the spot.
Painted my wood red for easy visibility.
Pic is on passenger side only for photo clarity due to sun and shade.
Works great backing up spotting on the drivers side.
For storage, attach to the front of the trailer hitch frame for easy access when unhitching and after rehitching. Or inside the frame, or on the tongue jack itself.
Simple fast and easy peasey.

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[Terra6]

The sun always shines on Terra6 now.
And the whole world for that matter.

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[Terra6]

So for no particular reason than this being cool, an inspiration, entertainment and the fact that I've actually seen this in person, here's a link to an old 1917 rv built on a surplus WW1 4x4 truck chassis and using a single redwood log for the complete RV body.
Massive 4 inch thick log body and totally awesome.
https://www.treehugger.com/nature-singe ... od-4866980
And a short video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=you ... kblcxtmz1o

On display in Humboldt Forest in CA