How to Make Mud for Miniatures - Cheap Stirland Mud Alternative

Just a quick vid to show you how you can make your own mud for basing minis and making dioramas, enjoy!

[@Xaltotun]

I like to mix in different sizes of stones and cork in the sand. That way I get some more randomness. Also, a little tip if you add a lot of filler and water then the mix will crack as it is drying if you want to get the super cool looking wasteland effect.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Nice, I haven’t tried water for making it crack, I’ll give it a go next time, thanks for watching!

[@eldraque4556]

nice one

[@firelord52]

Good tip. I've found the same happened to me but I wasn't looking for that effect lol now I don't add water to the mix unless I want the crackling

[@NarcolepticLTD]

I remember back in the before time... The long long ago... Where I found basically the same recipe (exactly the same honestly) in a modelling book by none other than games workshop (the first forgeworld master class or something). Now they're selling it in a tiny little jar like it's insulin in America. Thanks for posting this... I remember getting very good and sturdy results with this stuff!

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Ahhh the fabled before times, before the almighty overlord deprived us humble pions of this forbidden knowledge. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment, hope you’ll stick around!

[@meatybtz]

Yepo, as a former Model Railroader as a kid in the 80s. This mixture is EXACTLY what we did. It was in our magazines of the time. Learned how to "rust" things and do all the little weathering details that people are so fond of today.

[@flatlander3526]

I've been looking for recipes for making "homemade" mud, and I think you shared a great solution to my diorama issues.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Glad it could be of use to you, thanks for watching!

[@bobarger7714]

Swamp Rat, I just found your channel. All the best in your campaign, I am voting Swamp Rat across the board! We're here for the rat revolution.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Bo Barger, your kind words are greatly appreciated. Soon the rat brethren will run wild and free with no one to stand in there way, your support will not be forgotten...

[@lexi_9995]

Hi I commented earlier. I have recently made my own mud mix using similar ingredients but I also added sisal string cut up to about 5 or 6 mm into the mix. As it dries you can tease some of the bits of string up from the mix to have plants/grass growing up out of the ground, it works pretty well.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Really good idea, thanks for sharing I’m gonna give that a try in the future, thanks for stopping by!

[@insomniacg]

You can also replace the PVA with acrylic medium (with whatever finish you're after, it usually comes in matte/satin/gloss) for something a bit more durable and flexible. As you're in the UK I'll say that Pebeo's is pretty cheap and decent

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

That’s a really good idea, gloss medium could be especially good for making wet swampy looking ground, great tip!

[@j453]

The algorithm just this morning suggested you to me. I allready knew how to make this stuff but wanted to watch what you did, just see if I could learn anything new. I didn't find a new way to make mud, but I never considered making a mudman army, that actually sounds awesome! I might try that, maybe over tinfoil and sculpy home made figures though rather than actual models hehe. I got a coffee tin of sand from a construction sight myself, it was kinda fun lol, I allready had a bunch of pva and paint so I just needed the wall filler. Provided my filler doesn't sneakily dry out me (I pop the lid to check on it from time to time, then re-seal it nice and tight) I have all the basing paste I will likely ever need. Thanks for the great vid, I subscribed👍👍👍👍😊

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Yeah the mud man army actually seems like really fun, and using tinfoil etc to make some gelatinous blobby mud people sounds even better, might give it a go myself. Thanks for commenting I hope you enjoyed the video!

[@hedu5017]

Thanks for the guide, I will definitely try this! Would also recommend used coffee grounds as a good muddy basing material! I also appreciate your use of the word "flump"

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thank you my fellow flumper, very interesting idea I’ve not tried coffee grounds before, thanks for the tip!

[@crysis4561]

Great video, great tips. I didn't wanted to waste a lot of money on pre-made mud from model-making brands and this was just what I needed. My "standard" mixture contains: 50%sand 50% wall filler (you can use the same that's used for ceramic floors, either epoxy filler or water-based filler is good, just keep in mind that epoxy fillers tend to be relatively quick drying - read instructions) 25% of total volume is Wood glue (PVA glue) If you want to add paint to the mix it's your choice. I'm adding only brown, as it has good mud resemblance and use acrylic paints for interior walls, as they tend to have best price-volume ratio. add small amounts of water if necessary (about spoonful if you are making medium sized projects, like car or tank sized projects - you will figure it out...) stab in few rock pieces and you are done... thanks for video, very helpful :)

[@crysis4561]

Bonus tip - if you want some gravel / sand / pebbels / mini rocks in various sizes just go to aquaristics shop, and find what you like... you get a big bag of what you relatively cheap...

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thank you my friend I’m glad you found it useful, thanks for watching!

[@jezreelbell6528]

Crazy that you only have 405 subscribers. This is great content for all us budget hobbiers out there. Please make more videos about homemade alternatives to expensive products in the hobby. It keeps the hobby alive and lowers the expensive barrier of entry for new folks. Subbed!

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it! I’ll absolutely be making more videos like this in future, hope you’ll stick around!

[@SeanConneZombie]

This looks great, and I'm probably going to be using it for my next build. The cost v savings is amazing and having so much control over the outcome is just perfect.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Yeah the flexibility of this stuff is probably my favourite thing about it, you can make it however you need, thanks for watching!

[@Nicolas-yd2mw]

This saved me a lot of cash for basing Stormcasts in snowy mud... or corrupting necrons with crackles of green energy. Thank you very much !

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Im very glad to be of service, thanks for watching my friend!!

[@RogerS1978]

Coconut fibers also make an interesting addition.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

I’ve not tried that but that’s a really good idea, I might have to borrow this, thanks for watching!

[@RogerS1978]

@@SwampRatMiniatures No it's a good video, well presented. Thank you, it's always good to see people passing on the knowledge.

[@ThePudge1976]

Excellent video and how to. Will defo be trying this out. Been using Vallejo mud products so this will save me a fortune. Thanks my muddy friend. Subscribed!

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate you stopping by.

[@Politov]

"Bog standard mud" seems a good name for a product to me! 😆

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Pretty good shout actually... thanks watching also!

[@trinkjoghurt9077]

Swamp Rat for president! Glad I found your channel :-)

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks so much, I’m glad you’re here, hope you’ll stick around!

[@elkcloner]

Awesome, thanks! Definitely trying this out!

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

My pleasure, thanks for stopping by!

[@cptspikehead]

first time watching your videos and ' a frugal swamp rate is a happy swamp rat'! Excellent cost saving measure for a diorama i'm building! Defo will be back for more!😁

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks a lot my man I’m glad to hear it, thanks for watching!

[@spectrem1858]

I literally JUST bought some today, then see this. Our phones are ALWAYS listening.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

They genuinely are, thanks for watching anyway, now you can save yourself some money next time!

[@Warghoul]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!!

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

And thank you for watching my friend!

[@FelipeBudinich]

The wall filler does it, good tip.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks for watching!

[@jasonpiernikarczyk3884]

Thanks, great guide!

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Glad you enjoyed it my friend!

[@dqtattoos]

Great video! I’m gonna save this one

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks a lot I’m glad you liked it!

[@jolabu74]

Very nice work 👍 thanks for Sharing

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thank you my friend, appreciate you!

[@lexi_9995]

Good video. I make my own stuff like yours and have been for many years. Subscribed and liked.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Making your own stuff is definitely the way forward, so much cheaper in the long run, thanks for watching I appreciate it!

[@calvanoni5443]

Just suggested you're vids, subbed.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks a lot, I hope you’ll enjoy your stay!

[@AllHailTheAle]

Very cool 😎

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thank you Mr Ale, you are very cool, thanks for watching!

[@DungusMcGrungus]

Alright, you got a chuckle out of me so it's only fair that I sub. Swamp Rat 2024!

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thank you citizen I’m counting on your vote!

[@antongunther3977]

A pro tip mix this mixture before adding paint. This way you can make a huge batch and just mix in paint into it as you need. Of you can just do what I do and leave the paint out and instead prime and paint the base after it dries.

[@TRTT]

I just found your channel - came out same year as mine. Both a mini channel. "Tree rat tabletop" and "Swamp rat miniatures." That's...hilarious Anyway - love the way you pace your videos, the narration, the topics... easy sub 👌.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks a lot! And very coincidental, it is time for us rats to rise up together 😄

[@carrie4910]

Oh! Well this explains why my mud mix wouldn’t hold shape by the time it dried 😝 I shall give this a go with the filler, cheers!

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Good luck with it Carrie, let me know how it goes!

[@carrie4910]

@@SwampRatMiniatures shall do! Im hoping to turn a hand sized ceramic acorn into a fairy house, it’ll be nice if the dirt path actually looks like a dirt path and not melted soggy mud lake 😝 😂

[@Windexcookies1]

You have my vote for "President of Mud"!

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thank you my friend, your vote is greatly appreciated!

[@samanthalacroix2687]

You can also use sodium bicarbonate as an additive getting different textures.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

That’s a good shout, I might have to give it a go myself actually, thanks for watching!

[@racspartan1]

Saved This to Make for Later

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Awesome, hope it will serve you well!

[@jarnvarg1956]

Very cool indeed, you deserve way more subs dude, got yourself a new one in me. Now to have a look through and see if there's any other money saving tips to help with the plastic crack addiction in this absurd economy.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks a lot Jarn!! This is my only ‘how to’ video at the moment but there’ll be a lot more coming in the near future to help make your own hobby supplies and save money in the process 🙂

[@aristotle29]

It might be worth trying to make a mud base without paint, and when you need to use it, add the paint for the color you want. If it's a color that you want to keep around all the time, write the recipe down and keep that in a separate container. Also, stop using citadel paints if you want to keep costs down. Especially nuln oil and the brown wash. Just make your own with floor polish and paint. Honestly, I've tried them both and they are identical. Talking about identical, I think that the non-homemade mud is on the right.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Really good shout actually, I’m gonna make a ‘blank’ batch next time I make it then leave it aside to mix in different colours as and when needed, it’s a great idea! I’ve never even thought of using floor polish with paint... I’m gonna give that a go and see what I’ve been missing out in, thanks for stopping by!

[@aristotle29]

@@SwampRatMiniatures I use permanent black acrylic paint for the floor polish wash and looks exactly like nuln oil, but if you access to lamp black it will come out a little more blue (might be really close to nuln oil though), and ivory or Mars black will come out a little more brown. The floor polish I use is called Quick Shine hardwood floor luster, but you may not have access to that. I've heard that pledge floor cleaner is great if you can get that.

[@Samsminis]

My question is how long it can last, homemade in a jar, if I make a batch. The bigger issue with stirland mud for me is that the pot dries out before I’ve gone through the whole thing. A waste.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks for watching, and good question! The little pot I showed you at the beginning was made months ago and is still usable now, as long as it’s kept in a relatively air tight container (nothing crazy, Tupperware is fine) you’re all good 🙂

[@2dola]

I also added crackle medium, and now i have cracked earth technicals 😉👍

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Oooooh, I hadn’t thought of that, that’s a really good idea actually might have to borrow it 😄 thanks for watching!

[@Ralf-JBlock]

left one is yours, looks way better than the original ;-)

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thank you my friend, a tin of sardines will be delivered to you, when you least expect it....

[@DarrenMalin]

my up coming Turnip 28 army will be made of about 80 percent mud so thank you Sir :)

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Awesome my man, glad to be of service!

[@Teeniebfable]

I make something similar to add brick textures to storage boxes that I make

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Ahh that’s a good use for it actually, hadn’t thought of that, thanks for watching!

[@oleww50]

This looks great! How long does it last before drying? (In the pot?)

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks! Easily a few months in a relatively air tight pot, if it starts to dry out you can drop in a little bit of water too and it’ll be back to gloopy mud again

[@oleww50]

@@SwampRatMiniatures Thanks that’s great, much longer than I expected 👍

[@liquefiedpork]

Great vid. Wondering if this mix could be used as a snow base with white paint? Or do you have a different snow recipe?

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thank you! I think there’s definitely potential but the recipe might need tweaking a little as the sand and filler might make any white paint used a bit too dull/grey possibly, I’ve found baking soda pretty good for snow, mixing it with some pva or sprinkle over some super glue, it’s a cheap alternative to the stuff you can buy in stores!

[@liquefiedpork]

@@SwampRatMiniatures cool, I'll have to give the baking soda a shot. Thanks!

[@TheUnhousedWanderer]

Think plaster of Paris might be useful here? Got a ton of it and trying to figure out the best ways to craft with it

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Hmmm I’m not sure, plaster seems to meld together when it gets wet so I don’t think it would give the same grainy texture as the sand, definitely worth a shot though and I’d love to know if it does work out!

[@cuatrocientoscinco]

it looks amazing, I'll try it for sure!! do you know how to make the grass??

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks for watching! I have a couple of ways of making the grass but neither of them are super efficient at the moment, I’m going to work on making them a bit better and then will upload a vid about it in the future, I have a bunch more ‘how to’ vids planned though if you’re interested 😁

[@cuatrocientoscinco]

@@SwampRatMiniatures keep it up!

[@w.vangaal1077]

I am still new to this hobby and still figuring things out. But this is the cheapest way I found to make static grass. Get some jute rope and cut it into tiny pieces..or as long as you want or need it. color it green, you can also start with that, and you have made your own static grass. Use an old ketchup or mustard bottle or buy a bottle with a similar cap (don't know the name of such a cap), put the grass into the bottle, shake it and puff the grass onto your diorama. Noch also sells these puffer bottles for static grass, they are not to expensive.. There must be a way to also make smaller tufts of grass but I haven't looked for it.

[@chasep3241]

1:45 That Spackle bit was a joke, but you have no idea how long I've been looking for "wall filler" on this side of the pond. lol

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Hahahah good luck in your search my friend 😉

[@julianzorn741]

I wish I would have been recommended your channel soo much earlier. Do you have any tips for smooth plastics and making paint stick or making terrain in your experience?

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks for the comment! For the painting on smooth plastic give it a primer coat first if you have access to it, that’ll help the paint to adhere pretty easily, same way you’d prime a miniature really. For making terrain, it’s not a technical tip, but I’d say make things you find interesting and fun to make, that way you’re way more likely to finish them and enjoy the process too. Also, collect any random little things you find, interesting bottle lids or sticks/twigs etc, as you can always find a way to use them for details on the terrain. I’ll be making some videos in the near future about making rock faces and other terrain bits which might be of some interest to you!

[@WilhelmScreamer]

I'd love a version for astrogranite debris

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks for stopping by, I’ll definitely be making more basing mixtures in the future so stick around!

[@momosworkshop]

What is the shelf life like? I had previously made DIY texture paste from finely ground coffee, craft paint, and PVA glue and stored it in a bottle but I found it hardened after a few days. I'd love to be able to make a big batch and be able to keep it for a while

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

This stuff lasts me months without drying out if it’s stored in a relatively air tight pot. I’ve had times where the lid wasn’t put on properly and it had started to dry out a little but I plopped a few drops of water in and it was back to its normal gloopy self again, thanks for dropping by!

[@momosworkshop]

@@SwampRatMiniatures thanks for the reply and the excellent video, I will be tuning in for more videos!

[@azncowman]

Subscribed!! Do you think baking soda/baking powder would work in lieu of the sand?

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks a lot! I belieeeeve it would work, let me know if you have any success with it as I’d be interested to see for myself how it works!

[@azncowman]

@@SwampRatMiniatures I will do! Just don't have space for a gigantic bag of sand :(

[@the_arcanum]

Just found your channel. I'm staying for sure. Now, how long can you keep your muddy goodness in a pot ? A few days or do you mix it on a need to basis and use it all up because it dries too fast ? The swamp rats wanna know !

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Glad to have you my friend! If you keep it in a relatively air tight container (any generic plastic food containers etc should be fine) this stuff will last indefinitely, I made a batch of this like a year ago and have only just finished it off, I sprinkle a few drops of water in now and then if I notice it’s starting to dry off a little, but other than that you should have no worries about it lasting!

[@the_arcanum]

@@SwampRatMiniatures Awesome ! Thanks a lot for the recipe :D

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

@@the_arcanum most welcome dude, I hope it serves you well!

[@yolandachakoetoe4729]

Hi, can I also use fine sawdust for making mud?

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Hey! I don’t see why not, anything that gives some texture should work. You might have to play around with different ratios of the recipe as I can imagine sawdust soaking into everything a bit, but let me know how it goes as I’m curious now!

[@JohnMiller-yh2lj]

I have just one question, how long does it last in the container before it starts to dry out?

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Hey thanks for your question, as long as it’s kept in a reasonably air tight container (nothing fancy - Tupperware etc is fine), it’ll last for months at least. I’ve always used it before it dries out but I had one batch in a pot for around a year with no issues. If it does start to dry out you can also drop a little bit of water in and give it a mix to reactivate it, hope that helps!

[@minisbykev]

If you happen to see this, do you know how long the mixture stays good for before it dries out?

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Hello my friend! As long as you keep it in a relatively air tight tub (Tupperware etc is fine) it will last for months, the pot I made in this video is still going strong and I had one before that for around a year before I used it all. If you find it drying out at all, add a tiny bit of water to reactivate it. Thanks for watching!

[@minisbykev]

@@SwampRatMiniatures Ohhh good to know! Thank you very much!

[@LordCONALDO]

Made myself a jar of this and man I’m buzzed with the results - how long do you find it stays stable in the jar? Because I have a little plastic pot of it that seems to have dried out a touch (formerly a vessel for a small amount of mango chutney 😂)

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Ahhh man I’m pumped for you, it’s such good stuff I use it on almost every project. I store it in the plastic pots showed in the vid and it lasts for months and months - I’ve never actually had it dry out much. If you do find it starting to dry though just mix a few drops of water into it and it’ll become fresh again, thanks for watching!

[@LordCONALDO]

@@SwampRatMiniatures I’ll try that - cheers man! - my last stuff i tried just crumbled - pretty sure my orks are glued to more glue the amount of times they’ve fell off

[@SuperEgo1989]

I might not get a response but how long does this stuff keep once it's mixed. Wondering how big of a batch i should make

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

The batch I made in this video only ran out recently! As long as it’s kept in a decently air-tight container it’ll last a long time, sprinkle in a little bit of water now and then if it’s thickening up more than you like 🙂

[@saracenkyan]

Agrellan Earth recipe please

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Coming soon to a Swamp Rat video near you, thanks for watching!

[@TioMostFrio]

How long would this last without drying out?

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Hey, thanks for your comment, it should last for months if kept in a relatively air tight container like the one I used in the video, and you can sprinkle in a little bit of water to reactivate it if you find it’s beginning to dry. The batch I made before this one lasted a year in a similar container without drying out!

[@evanhornbeck5946]

Anyone have any idea if baking soda would in place of sand? Already got a ton of it on hand lol

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

I’m not 100% sure actually but I don’t see why not, give it a go and let us know 😄

[@RamboArminius1]

I’d love to see your take on trenches

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Hello my friend! Stay tuned as it’s on my list for the near future!

[@RamboArminius1]

@@SwampRatMiniatures aw yeah

[@thaibreuer3533]

My guess is the better one was your mud mixture

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Well look who just secured a bonus tin of sardines for their kinds word.... thanks for watching!

[@dartmart9263]

It’s illegal to grab a little sand from the beach? Where, in North Korea?

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Somewhere more restrictive than there, the UK🙄

[@sweatilaa5325]

Nice mud! And I think your mud is on the left and the Stirland Mud is on the right, it has that sad flatness that I don’t like in Stirland Mud.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Thanks! And you got it, when I put the clips together I realised they both actually looked really different 😄 I agree with you though, the stirland mud did look a bit sad and puny next to the homemade one, thanks for watching!

[@sweatilaa5325]

@@SwampRatMiniatures the almighty algorithm showed me this video, and after watching a few other videos I got to say, you got a way with words!

[@jamesmacpherson2247]

Bog standard.... I see what you did there.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

😏, thanks for watching!

[@MajorKirrahe]

Really nice method, but surely it costs more than just buying a pot of Stirland mud

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

It costs more to buy all these things for the first time, but then you have enough supplies to make hundreds of pots of stirland mud which cost like £3-4 each so it’s significantly cheaper in the long run, thanks for watching!

[@MajorKirrahe]

@@SwampRatMiniatures You're right there, I suppose it's worth the investment if you paint a lot of miniatures! I only have an Italian Bolt Action army and Warhammer 40k SOB army these days, so not much need for this method anymore sadly! Hope to do more in the future when life permits, then I'll use this method 😁 Thanks!

[@cannedsnow4511]

the biggest downside from this method is that the smallest construction sand bags i can find are 30kg but 4$ lol

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

Yeah it can be a bit cumbersome, I stored mine inside for some reason and now there’s sand scattered around everywhere, thanks for watching though!

[@cannedsnow4511]

@@SwampRatMiniatures it's a great vid!

[@deonolsen3908]

Left one was your mud right one was sterland mud I wld like my tin of sardines please.

[@SwampRatMiniatures]

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