Creating amazingly realistic miniature rocks easy using a no-cost material - Detailed tutorial

[@daveygivens735]

I've learned more in two Marklin videos than hours of watching others. Wow.

[@vincecrysler3821]

Indeed. Great video

[@scottderemer316]

iv got about 70 hours in now.... toilet paper and mulch here i come

[@legodac]

I really like how you explain details most people don't, like the reason behind adding a little alcohol to improve flow. Great video, thanks so much

[@MKempICI]

Another informative, excellent video. Thank you, sir! For everybody at home: Just make sure to sterilize any bark/other materials that you grab from the forest before you use them. Add a drops or two of vinegar to your gypsum/plaster of Paris and it will prevent mold/fungus from growing.

[@bageorge5337]

Thank you. My son makes dioramas using rocks. This will help him make his pieces much lighter.

[@Tenju96]

I'll steal it from my own garden 😁 It looks awesome

[@HumancityJunction]

Between the TP for water and the bark for rock faces, you have introduced us to some innovative ideas.

[@eugenb.8448]

The toilet paper for water is one I tell friends about and they all go “No way!” Then they watch and just can’t believe it. A magician as some others have said :-)

[@Gumlass1]

Looks great. As a wargamer, my pro tip is to use a giant makeup brush for your dry brushing. Much quicker and more uniform result.

[@colossalbigfoot256]

I’ve used bark for a while cause it replicates shale in my area. You should put in oven though to kill any bugs that might be inside hiding. These are the best looking rocks imo.

[@davidcurtis5398]

if you get the bark from the "big box" store, it will be treated already for bugs. i have never had any in the 10 years I have used this method.

[@jefwisse1957]

Do you think the bugs will survive after the rocks have been covered up in plaster? 😂😂😂. However I follow your advice when I use soil from the garden. I couple of minutes in the microwave and it is ready to be used. 👍 Greetings from The Netherlands

[@davidcurtis5398]

@@jefwisse1957 I don't usually use the bark on the road. I glue pieces of bark into a rock like form ( I have several ) they can be long and slender or square-ish, or any form you might want. I even have 2 that I glued together so I can put them together end to end, to make a very long rock face. After I am happy, I cover the glue up with rubber and gauze to make a mold. Then I can make as many duplicates of this as I need. Then you can throw out the pattern made with the bark. I usually buy a bag of garden bark in the early fall, let it sit spread out on the drive in the sun for a couple of days and that will bake the bugs out If there are any.

[@jefwisse1957]

@@davidcurtis5398 Making a mold is a great idea.

[@davidcurtis5398]

@@jefwisse1957 Jeff, I make molds for anything I may want many copies of. Once you get the mold, you can make as many castings as you might need or your club or friends. Just be safe and don't charge for the castings as that might not be right...

[@leepenlack5548]

this really looks real. excellent rock work.

[@monmixer]

Very very nice. I was impressed with that white coring to show the highlights and the black wash. It looked like the hills around here before the highlights and black.

[@gorkamorka999]

You can probably blend the plaster and the rocks even more by using a wirebrush running in the direction of the "sediment layers". The finished product looks great.

[@ronyb1861]

Drywall strips works well with wire brush

[@timbirch4999]

Try using a "churn brush" when the stuff is not quite set. Stroke the brush on one direction. That gives a really realistic look. They are used in laying bricks to softly clean up the bricks and your mortar joints without digging into the bricks (which a wire brush could do) or disturbing them before the mortar has set hard. These brushes look almost like they have long splinters or maybe long pine needles for bristles. They're stiffer than a really stiff brush, but much softer than a wire brush. If you search for "lime mortar churn brush" you'll see what I'm talking about.

[@serchdietrich]

Beautiful, simple, cheap. I'm doing my first diorama and at first I felt overwhelmed by the fancy materials needed. I got a Noch mold and the rocks are beautiful but way too heavy. Your ideas are a great help. So thank you.

[@michaeldean4704]

Great video, Mark. I discovered this method myself over 40 years ago. I found a few loose chucks of bark in the woods, while out bow-hunting one fall day, and thought it could look like the rock found in my area, when painted and weathered. I took them home, tried it on my N-scale layout, and was quite impressed with the results. And, like you mentioned, the cost could not be beat.

[@pocatellocowboy1077]

Fantastic! I love the idea of using bark!

[@skrill-sophiaxd6663]

I love the simple you do thing and the beautiful resurt you chow.

[@johndielen1144]

So much fun to look and learn from your videos thx to share with us 🙏🏼 and yes I got build my mountain like this 😁

[@swiv99]

You sir are a true artist!..Those look so incredibly real. Besides running trains, half the fun is the creation of the world it will run within.

[@lucyjinks4073]

Really good at explaining that you my 12 year old starting his layout journey in two weeks

[@heathersohappy2833]

My 11 y.o.starting with a flat, plain sheet of plywood this week

[@sk0k]

AWESOME ! greetings from Poland

[@giancarlopaolini7529]

I actually discovered that option some three years ago just by watching closely one of my favourite centennial willows in my garden ...and I started using it with my greatest satisfaction. A good idea indeed.

[@donaldkormos5529]

Super good idea!!! Danke!

[@gusgustavo6055]

YOU ARE A MAGICIAN! so inspiring

[@mikeseba7817]

Awesome idea! Thank you Martin!

[@paulsngaugechannel]

Excellent video and again good value for saving money . As others have mentioned, need to make sure that the bark is 🐜 🐛 🐞 free and any safe cleaning method, but Don’t put the bark into a microwave, it explodes and also sets fire to the bark internally- like spontaneous combustion. But great stuff. I find leaving the bark outside on a sheet of newspaper, wash over with isopropyl, on a warm day any bugs 🐜 will soon vacate. Love the techniques for weathering, always learn more every video. Thanks for sharing Martin. Super.

[@jlathem56]

What a cool idea and process. Thanks for sharing it.

[@jimstraba5772]

Outstanding information on portions mixing paints and Elmer glue🎉❤

[@rva4ccb]

A big salute to you

[@TheHobbyLounge]

Think I might have to put these techniques into practice, appreciate the tutorial.

[@bassflyer]

Bark, who knew? Nicely done!

[@bobtudbury8505]

great idea and it looks awesome

[@charlieharper886]

This is wild. I've actually looked at that bark before and wondered how well it would work for this. Now I know!

[@DavidRea-m7x]

Most of the bedding mulch in my area has been through a grinder, and so its is difficult to find bark pieces large enough for an S gauge display. But, my wife grows orchids, and buys orchid potting bark (orchids don't grow in dirt) and picking through her supply, I found enough large pieces to fulfill my needs. Orchid potting bark is available in bags from most garden centers.

[@jeffreymcconnell6794]

Thank you so much for sharing this technique with us! It gives me hope that I can actually do scenery! My usual approach is good design and operation. Somewhere in between those steps it magically becomes a model railroad. HA!

[@robinred1851]

This is a very old method for modelling rocks. I used this already at the beginning of the 1970-ties. Therefore I am very happy you make it actual again !!! It is an old method but still one of the nicest to imitate rocks. There exists an old book from Märklin (Art. Nr. 0327), written by Bernd Schmid, titled "Märklin Bahn + Landschaft". Im not quite sure but I think this book is from 1973. Here in chapter 21, page 129-136 Schmid describes what he uses and how he does it. Greetings from the Čech Republic 🇨🇿.

[@oliversiefert8260]

Awesome idea! Thanks!

[@Beatlefan67]

Excellent! Thankyou from Dorset, U.K.

[@AmazeTase]

Beautiful in its simplicity! 👍👍

[@markgelinas8114]

What a cool technique. I have pine trees and the bark comes off the trees quickly.

[@kevindevine7597]

That looks superb.

[@JPWChannel2-j3w]

This is brilliant! Will use on the volcano project I’m doing. Thank you!

[@philipbrownrc]

This is a great way to make rocks, I really want to build a new railway

[@AlexMOBAOpa]

Thank you for this good idea. The rocks look really good, made from the bark. Greetings from MoBa Grandpa

[@dadsongs]

Brilliant! Thank you.

[@uptownphotography]

I am going on a Bark search!...(I am in New Jersey, 1 hour south from NYC, so there should be plenty around!)... Although, (ironically), I did just literally get 7 sheets of foam insulation board today for free and I am anxious to try using carving foam for rock outcroppings as well. I usually used plaster, so looking forward to new methods for a large mountain HO railroad. I always enjoy your videos. Well done. Philip Jersey Shore Area

[@vitale6633]

Looks Fantastic - thanks for sharing your technique.

[@b.lloydreese2030]

I learned about using bark from bard's craft. It can have.amazing results.

[@plasticodigiovanni4169]

Usare la corteccia di un albero per realizzare delle rocce frammentati è una bella idea bravo👏

[@hughhall1167]

Way to GO, Erich!!

[@karenmusa3052]

Hello so glad I found your channel. I've used bark and wood chips for years. Wonderful, free and very effective. Thanku 😃

[@mikeh4800]

WOW! I am stunned. Wonderful.

[@danbalmer1]

Great Concept. Thank you for sharing this.

[@fenna_pel]

Hey that's a nice technigue. The bark gives just the right appearance for slate. Been looking for exactly that for my layout 👍 thx for the video 🙂

[@kamalani808]

Just found your channel, and I’m so glad. Thanks for the tutorial and inspiration!

[@lindaoffenbach]

Brilliant. In building up our lay out we are lucky living near a forest. You have reminded us earlier of the notion that many materials for scenery can actually be found in nature, and we’ve never forgotten about that advice. It does work a treat. We have gathered plenty of small rocks, rocky scatter materials and woods. To avoid decay of woods, we do apply a good varnish, and they seem to hold pretty well. Excellent content here. Cherio and ciao.

[@terrymcdade1888]

I use garden dirt in my builds and I bought a used electric frying pan and I cook the dirt before I use it. I also have several different sized sieves and strainers. This allows me to get smaller rocks, sticks and finger grades of dirt to use, all sourced from thrift shops and yard sales. I keep the materials in empty plastic coffee cans and smaller plastic tubs. You can buy new re;-sealable ones if you want. Very good video. I don't build model railroads, but you methods work great for what I do.

[@CAMROSS67]

looks brilliant, and easy to do - thank you !

[@rhonda6082]

This is amazing!!! Fabulous!!!

[@malcolm1933]

Used bark on my railway a while ago but only after I soaked it in water and vinegar (50 / 50 ) mix to kill any bugs , sprayed 3 coats of clear satin varnish looks good as brings out the natural colours of the bark

[@davidcurtis5398]

Again, the bag of bark from the "big box" store will be pre-treated for any mold or bugs...

[@carmillakarnstein691]

Here, in Brazil, we don't have acesss to many materials and we are forced to always use creativity and I ended up getting to know this technique some time ago! But this tip is very important and easy to apply. I like to mix white glue and acrylic paint with plaster to make it stronger. Great video! Thanks a lot!

[@SiouxsieCat]

Top notch. Thank you for sharing!

[@69-ke3zw]

Wow, this is terrific!

[@skrill-sophiaxd6663]

Thank for your exelent teachings

[@alwatson98]

Thank you. I am so impressed! I am going to use this right away!

[@shadowmaster9635]

Wonderful! I will be doing this! Oh yes! 👍

[@scottmccloud9029]

I've never heard of that. That's pretty cool and free. Thanks.

[@Pauley_in_GP]

Thanks to both of you guys - great idea and fantastic results! I'm going outside to search my wood pile.

[@darkgilmour]

Thank you for this very good and chip idea!

[@valborchardt3596]

Brilliant Martin, really easy to do. Thank you

[@reverserestorations26]

Very nice, worked great for me. I spray painted mine primer grey first and then followed your method.

[@plto4ka]

Great idea. Thanks for sharing. Great layout! Greetings from Bulgaria.

[@peterstecks7660]

Brilliant as usual Martin. Thanks also to Eric. 👍

[@ronaldliggett5452]

Great idea, I will be trying this. Thanks

[@EpicRacingUK]

Super fint, tack sa mycket from London !!!

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

Looks great and great tip/technique!

[@norsegateline]

Love this channel, really inspired my layout

[@trainsforbrains]

Genius! I never thought of that! My neighbors have bark in their garden. I'm going to the neighbors!

[@joeallen9898]

Fantastic

[@dave3301]

Thanks for sharing, looks great

[@cfdtv1]

Great idea! Thanks to both Martin and Eric. Never thought that it could be so easy to make that kind of rock and it look so natural.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Very impressive idea for rocks , great job

[@Arnage1969]

Simply great and marvelous !

[@andresbaruchvazquez8173]

Thanks! You always share for us greats ideas!!!

[@mesebak]

WOW this is Good Knowledge THANK YOU!!!

[@dehweh2297]

Nice. No need to use very expensive modeling paint, like Vallejo, for terrrain, though. Cheapo bulk acrylic paint absolutely does the job.

[@TaleSeeker]

Cool material! I happen to have some trees.

[@lexi_9995]

Interesting, in the UK we call it plaster of Paris. Thanks for a useful video.

[@jolabu74]

very nice work 👍 Thanks for Sharing

[@AlexTrainmanMontagano]

Awesome as always.

[@Sestra_Prior]

Looks awesome!

[@colincampbell4870]

Looks great never thought of that I have lots of woods around me

[@dwaynechatman8655]

mate, been using Pine Bark as rocks for ages, works really well for all my 40K Ork world table.

[@passionminiature2708]

Super idée Merci !

[@saltleywsc]

Thanks for your videos ,just got an E class from MJ Models !!! after watching you weathering video .

[@ricardodiggs7627]

Amazing work my friend!!! Thank you!!!

[@jameslast3192]

There’s a thing called a static grass applicator! Amazing!

[@scottroberts7875]

Simply Superb Thanks very inspiring Scott Somerset England

[@steveklippstein9618]

Amazing and it works great:) looks much more realistic

[@beckyforbis4858]

Wow!!! Thank you so much!!

[@marklittlejohn1457]

Looks amazing thankyou for the tips video

[@davidcurtis5398]

I've used bark a lot to make many molds that i use. i also have used the bark itself. Now for a tip. To get plaster that will take a lot longer to set up I put a water bottle in the refridgerator (sp) the evening before I want to mix the plaster. Using very cold water will give you about 15 minutes of working time instead of just 5 minutes. i sift the plaster into the water and then mix it with a whisk from my wife's kitchen stuff. I load the sifter with plaster and then tap the edge with something hard like a spoon. I have found that adding 1 tablespoon of baking power into 1 cup of plaster will also lengthen the working time a lot. The next time I do any plastering I am going to try the backing powder with the cold water and see what it does. I might get 20 minutes of working time!!!!!