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.

[@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

[@Tenju96]

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

[@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...

[@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

[@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 :-)

[@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.

[@bageorge5337]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@plto4ka]

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

[@sk0k]

AWESOME ! greetings from Poland

[@skrill-sophiaxd6663]

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

[@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 🇨🇿.

[@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.

[@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!

[@leepenlack5548]

this really looks real. excellent rock work.

[@bassflyer]

Bark, who knew? Nicely done!

[@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!!!!!

[@Cookie2k]

Beautiful in its simplicity! 👍👍

[@WillisBoilard]

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

[@glennwood9569]

Yeah we have pine trees too about 525 acres of them!!!

[@Johnnysw4]

Pine bark is particularly good. I soak mine in sterilising fluid to kill off any bugs or bacteria.

[@pocatellocowboy1077]

Fantastic! I love the idea of using bark!

[@mikeseba7817]

Awesome idea! Thank you Martin!

[@charlieharper886]

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

[@philipbrownrc]

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

[@kevindevine7597]

That looks superb.

[@gusgustavo6055]

YOU ARE A MAGICIAN! so inspiring

[@AlexMOBAOpa]

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

[@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 🙂

[@Beatlefan67]

Excellent! Thankyou from Dorset, U.K.

[@rva4ccb]

A big salute to you

[@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.

[@bobtudbury8505]

great idea and it looks awesome

[@Tradewindsvintagehi]

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

[@trainsforbrains]

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

[@oliversiefert8260]

Awesome idea! Thanks!

[@Pauley_in_GP]

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

[@donaldkormos5529]

Super good idea!!! Danke!

[@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!

[@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.

[@3dtechnik]

Just be carefull with bark. If it is too fresh, you want to put it in the oven first. Otherwise there are microorganisms or even worms still living in it that will slowly destroy your model.

[@verrezen]

Microwave is quicker, no?

[@karenmusa3052]

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

[@2CraftySeniors]

Fantastic looking "rocks". 🥰 Using the isopropyl at various stages probably helps to kill any little insects or bacteria that might be lurking on the bark pieces... so that's a bonus.

[@plasticodigiovanni4169]

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

[@jessicapresley9578]

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

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

I came across this technique, or similar, when I watch Bard's Craft to make tabletop gaming terrain. That's kind of what gave me the inspiration to get back into model railroading. Also, when drybrushing, I really wish more people would use big fluffy brushes instead of tiny little brushes.

[@muurrarium9460]

Get a bunch of make-up brushes. They cost far less (dollarstore??) and work really well! And you get them in every ridiculous size you can immagine. ( I am a female, and those things *never* touch my face, they always end up in the D.I.Y section. Painting faces is such a waste of time, think of all the great looking scapes you could create! Discouvered make-up bruses when I started looking for cheap&usefull things to really paint with ;) )

[@b.lloydreese2030]

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

[@timl.b.2095]

This was a stumble-upon for me. What an engaging host. I will be back.

[@vitale6633]

Looks Fantastic - thanks for sharing your technique.

[@manuelademeio1170]

Wow wonderful and realistic, thank for the demonstration, I will treasur it. 😍

[@schadowolf]

Looks great and great tip/technique!

[@reverserestorations26]

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

[@danbalmer1]

Great Concept. Thank you for sharing this.

[@mikeh4800]

WOW! I am stunned. Wonderful.

[@jlathem56]

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

[@lexi_9995]

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

[@dehweh2297]

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

[@CAMROSS67]

looks brilliant, and easy to do - thank you !

[@tiouil9663]

obrigado pelos seus vídeos estou montando minha maquete e estou aprendendo muito com vc Graças aqui do Brasil

[@hughhall1167]

Way to GO, Erich!!

[@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...

[@jameslast3192]

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

[@dwaynechatman8655]

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

[@scottmccloud9029]

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

[@skrill-sophiaxd6663]

Thank for your exelent teachings

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Very impressive idea for rocks , great job

[@jefwisse1957]

What a great idee, unfortunately It comes to late for me 😂😂. I already created my rocks. Greetings from The Netherlands.

[@darkgilmour]

Thank you for this very good and chip idea!

[@valborchardt3596]

Brilliant Martin, really easy to do. Thank you

[@alwatson98]

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

[@Arnage1969]

Simply great and marvelous !

[@InvertedPopesMusic]

Love the found item approach. Great demonstration thank you.

[@griffithmorgan4966]

There is an old book on model railroading from the 50's which showed a lot of people using bark back then. I believe it was called, the complete book of model railroading by David Sutton.

[@colincampbell4870]

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

[@skrill-sophiaxd6663]

I love everything you do and I would like to have space to replicate every beautiful diorama you do. They are really wonderfull

[@shadowmaster9635]

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

[@SiouxsieCat]

Top notch. Thank you for sharing!

[@peterstecks7660]

Brilliant as usual Martin. Thanks also to Eric. 👍

[@ronaldliggett5452]

Great idea, I will be trying this. Thanks

[@mesebak]

WOW this is Good Knowledge THANK YOU!!!

[@Sestra_Prior]

Looks awesome!

[@desmcleod2604]

Brilliant going into garden now

[@saltleywsc]

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

[@magicalmousers]

You are freaking amazing on anything miniature crafty I love it ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@brentleajunction]

What a great idea may try this my self looks brilliant at the finish results cheers Paul

[@scottroberts7875]

Simply Superb Thanks very inspiring Scott Somerset England

[@marklittlejohn1457]

Looks amazing thankyou for the tips video

[@fritzbrondum4417]

Love it 🎂Thanks from🇩🇰

[@hervefaucon6754]

I saw een carving method in een old book of Faller to do this kind of rock (jura limestone rock ?) but the method of you video gets een better result and much more quickly ! Amazing ! Thank you and thanks Mr Erich S !

[@TaleSeeker]

Cool material! I happen to have some trees.

[@norsegateline]

Love this channel, really inspired my layout

[@RyanHellyer]

Have you ever tried using pumice stone for this? My dad used to collect it for free from a local laundromat (they used it for stone washing items). He managed to make some really cool rock formations via that method. I don't think they were better than this bark approach, just different.