A simple guide to texturing your wargames scenery bases

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In this Back 2 Basics video, we cover texturing your terrain bases. We look at the common materials, where to get them, how to apply them and common pitfalls of applying sand, grit, gravel, stone and various other scatter materials to your wargames scenery. .
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[@TheTerrainTutor]

Excellent, glad you've found my vids useful. You've just got to keep your eyes open mate, there's loads of alternative supplies out there.

[@iamsoooosweet2468]

Hey TerrainTutor, I love the techniques you used in this video. I have a 40k army of Orks I'm making desert themed and your techniques helped me to base both my models and a few terrain pieces that I've made. Thanks very much, your videos are very helpful and informative!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Zachary Bartley glad they helped buddy!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I'll check that kiln dried sand out mate, thanks for the tip

[@daemonmatt9847]

Once again, good tips. For my basing materials, I mainly use Kiln Dried sand from a builders merchants. Nice and fine and I add some large stones to the mix or something from my "Bitz-box" as a piece of eye-candy.

[@robgerman9741]

Appreciate your video. I am going to try texturing a couple of WW2 German helmets and you have given me plenty of ideas and what I think are the basic techniques. Am grateful to have your instruction and tips.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

US Hwy 66 Well that's a new use for it! :-)

[@paulpetri8738]

Bird Grit.. What a great idea!! Never would have thought of it. Thanks.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Paul Petri Just make sure you get the shell-less version mate ;-)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Let me know how you get on with the 3mm MDF mate. I'll be covering woods probably in the next series, so the answer is yes :o)

[@TheycallmeWade]

Hi mate just thought id let you know another great product to use is cat litter cheap super light sucks up the pva i use it all the time also its great for random scattered look im going through all your videos enjoying them all keep it up

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Seek Refuge I've always kept away from fullers earth because it soaks up so much, are you getting good results with it mate?

[@TheycallmeWade]

I have but a spray primer first works well more suited to dessert application love your work by the way used some of your techniques to make an abandoned mind entrance

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Cheers matey

[@willtall8799]

Made an account so I could subscribe, like and comment your vids. Great guide Mel! Keep up the good work. I bought a 2kg bag of aquarium gravel a few weeks ago for £8 and thought I was a genius... Never occurred to me that bird grit would be of any use. Thanks for the tips

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Coolio mate, what would you suggest to cut it? Jigsaw?

[@wertymcwert]

your videos are awesome, man. Keep up the good work. You've really helped me in creating my final major project for uni. Also, you sound so much like Neil Buchanan its incredible.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Mr. T Thanks very muchski matey, you're not the first to mention Neil Buchanan ;-)

[@wertymcwert]

Haha! You have the exact same speech patterns, its like watching Art Attack but tailored to my interests. Again, thanks for all the help in my final major project. Subscribed.

[@svboelhj]

Great video! Some good and easy guidelines for starters like myself. Its nice and easy to understand, even for a Dane,

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Glad you liked it mate

[@maddnd9721]

Well guys...3mm MDF is tough stuff. Got it from Bunnings Wearhouse in Aus. I was disappointed cos it comes in 3' by 6' sheets and they cut it there but could not turn that into 3 2'x2' boards with 6 1'x1' boards. Rather I had to get another set and have heaps of offcuts. But...offcuts rock. It is impractical to cut it with my coping saw but I had fun like that so will do it again haha. I'm using it as bases for some polystyrene brick ruins I'm working on. Cheers guys.

[@lear1965]

Great video mate!! So in the right path!! Thanks again!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

No worries matey

[@kimmehh]

I just want to say that i enjoy your videos.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Glad you do matey

[@daveworkman2013]

Great video Mel!!!!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Dave Workman (NSaynneDad) Cheers bud

[@h.j.d.2624]

Man, you rock. Dig watching your vids!!!!!!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

A.P. Hill Cheers buddy :-)

[@maddnd9721]

Great Mel. Just spent my lazy Sunday finishing off your vids. I am going to take AUSSIEORK's advice from another vid and get some 3mm MDF board. I found 3'x6' for $8 (5 pound). My favourite part of this video was when you said "free". I collect beach sand at the moment. I think you literally pay for the packaging with that stuff, which actually is useful. I'll often buy something for the packet's usefulness than the product inside. Will you do a wood texture vid in the future? Cheers.

[@matrix626]

I get all of my terrain stuff at the hardware store. 20Lb bag of aggregate sand is about $2. small gravel about the same.. beach sand is free.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Totally with you mate, I have to bring my sand back from our holidays!

[@jjab99]

Thank you so much for these great videos.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

jjab99 no worries mate

[@19Fubar71]

Very nice video. Thanks.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Glad it helped mate

[@technopoptart]

for a twenty spot you can get a 10kilo bag of sand from many large hardware stores in the summer and you can get several grades of grit out of it

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I use sieved ballast now mate

[@GreyKnightSolo]

Hello Mel, thanks for video! Did you record how you painted it? Next video with that hill that i found is flocking already... I'd be interested to see how you paint rocks - do you paint all brown and then drybrush rocks with grey and highlight with white or....?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

stylised wargaming hill tutorial mate ;-)

[@lokihallow]

your awesome man!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+lokihallow Cheers buddy

[@johnmaye9165]

thank you very much for what you do

[@JerryBehrendt]

Any thoughts on doing your sealing using a sprayer instead of a brush?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yeah, I covered it in this video mate ....Simple PVA Sealant Spray

[@crazyhippo99]

Hopefully this isnt a totally mad question, if you buy bulk larger bags of your grit from non hobby suppliers, do you wash (rinse under a running tap and allow to dry) it before using it to remove the dust etc? or is it not required?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I only wash it if it's stone chippings, they can be quite powdery but I don't bother with grit mate

[@matrix626]

Even if you aren't doing terrains it is still cheaper to get the stuff from pet stores and hardware shops.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

It is, but if you're not going to use it, it takes up space. Best to take what you need out of it and pass it around your hobby group, or retub it and sell it on ebay! ;o)

[@Where_is_summee]

just a quick question regarding the bird grit, would you be better applying the bird grit to the terrain first then painting or colouring it in a tub first, letting it dry then applying it?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

glue then paint mate

[@GrumblingGrognard]

hmmmmm... I've been gamin' for 40years. My "terrain shop" is the local garden supply. 5lb (or larger) bags of sand/gravel/whatever you need for pennies compared to GF9. Just my 2 bits.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

GrumblingGrognard Yeah, I sieve ballast but this vid is aimed at the hobby guys who already have that stuff and I had some around that needed using :-)

[@jaylonrobinson7092]

GrumblingGrognard what all can you purchase from their, what do you use for grit and flock

[@BurntWeeny435]

Great video, do you think I could do this on a sheet on canvas to make a roll up battle mat? using sand and grit?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

you want the acrylic caulking battlemat vids for that mate

[@DaDunge]

Is it fake grit or True Grit ;)