tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791288487185794188.post2845121218010033788..comments2023-10-07T19:00:58.421-07:00Comments on My Little Lead Men: Some Terrain ItemsMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952700509014012762noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791288487185794188.post-36958503988735214212015-03-02T12:05:24.038-08:002015-03-02T12:05:24.038-08:00Hi Rab,
I used a mixture of large stones from my...Hi Rab, <br /><br />I used a mixture of large stones from my garden and small stones sold as decorative aggregate by the bag at a local garden centre (a single bag will last forever). <br /><br />The basic shape is a 2mm mdf base built up with polystyrene. <br /><br />The stones are then fixed to this using a large tube of 'grab' adhesive (No-Nails or similar), blob it on then push the stones in, arranging them for a natural look, work the excess glue that comes between the stones with water and a paintbrush to blend it in. Make sure you wash the stones and aggregate thoroughly before use or you'll find that the adhesive just sticks to the dust on the surface - I glue the small rocks in when they are still damp.<br /><br />Once dry the expose polystyrene between the rocks is given a coating of brown decorators caulk which is covered with a layer of builders sand applied with a sieve whilst it is still wet. Tap off the excess and then spray with water from a plant mister bottle - this encourages the PVA in the caulk to soak into the sand and creates a good bond.<br /><br />I paint the whole piece with a household emulation (Crown: Whitby Brown) then when dry wash the rocks over with a thinned burnt umber. Painting continues with two more emulsion paints (not sure what the names are of these unfortunately) dry brushed in successively lighter colours. I pick the rocks out using the same base colours but each shade mixed 50:50 with a light grey emulsion - this picks the stones out but keeps the same tonal shades.<br /><br />After painting I add static grass in random patches and then add home made tufts of grass between the rocks and in areas where weeds etc. would normally grow.<br /><br />Best advice is to study pictures of real rocky outcrops and look at how the rocks form naturally, then try for something similar.<br /><br />Hope that helps - good luck with making some of your ownMarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06952700509014012762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2791288487185794188.post-29417054048078976532015-03-01T12:57:45.397-08:002015-03-01T12:57:45.397-08:00I love the rocky outcrop. What paints/process did ...I love the rocky outcrop. What paints/process did you use; I always end up with something that looks painted, rather than looking like rocks...Rabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10066364524817373862noreply@blogger.com