Modelling Realistic Rocks - Acrylic Stippling Technique

In the latest of our new series on modelling realsitic rocks for your wargaming terrain, we tackle the acrylic stippling technique, a simple process to create very realistic rock colours for your rocky scenery.

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[@TheTerrainTutor]

Before we move onto the colour schemes, are there any other techniques you'd like me to show you?

[@Chrimsonification]

Could airbrushing work?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Actually, its the one thing that doesn't really suit airbrushing

[@heldaneurbanus5135]

One could say you're a *dab hand* at this. Sorry (not sorry). You seem to inspire me with horrendous punnage.

[@twosidedcoin4688]

I'd really like to see somelandscape themed terrain tutorials outside of Europe and Burma, is it possible to get a really nice water eroded red sandstone like with the grand canyon etc? Also making desert flora would be nice? Yukka, cacti etc? Doesn't really need saying btw but you are my favourite mini terrain tutor. Pretty funny too haha. Also sorry for the late message haha, just got back from work and watched this on the bus 😅

[@dougsundseth6904]

Most rocks are not gray, even though nearly every miniatures terrain maker seems to assume that they are. It would be nice to see some other base colors used. Perhaps that's what you mean by "colour schemes"; if so, yay!. 8-) Woodland Scenics rock molds are nice enough, but they're limited in variety and they're not especially cheap. It would be nice to see a video on how to make rock molds from latex, including a discussion of how to pick a decent rock to start with. Most rock techniques are intended to produce something that looks like igneous or metamorphic rocks. It would be nice to see more on sedimentary rocks (shale, sandstone, mudstone, etc.)

[@chrispools]

Thanks mel, all your uploads are greatly appreciated. So good of you to give up your time for the community.

[@NeilWB]

I liked the result from Acrylic Wet Wash technique - but this is better still! I will be using this technique on my model railroad. You have produced what is for me the most realistic rock outcrop I have ever seen.

[@thilistine]

Mel makes me think of a hyper Bob Ross. Which I love because the image amuses me to no end. Keep up the good work Mel!

[@troylanning4581]

I was just thinking that I was getting a Bob Ross feeling off this video

[@daves2354]

No happy accidents here, just aggressive, realistic rock structures lol

[@kevinm3751]

That came out fantastic! You should make a book on Mel's special words complete with definitions and descriptions. You know all the words you make up as you teach that have no basis in a dictionary but fit perfectly with the tutorials...;)

[@djangofreeman5085]

So it has a name, " Stippling " basically using a Sea Sponge or a variant of sea sponge type material. I tried that b'fore I knew the name of this process! Your tutorial just Explains the process in a more detailed process! Thanks Mel I think I heard you say your name in this or the Sandstone video? Yeah, it was the Sandstone and Layering videos.

[@logowatchman]

You have a great way of explaining your techniques and what effect you are trying to achieve. I really like this technique. Thanks for sharing!

[@hugoventura3278]

What a master you are Mel!!! Love the work and the energy you put on the tutorials!

[@markcole5108]

Great work as usual. I completely agree with your comments about mixing on the fly. When I'm painting stone or brick walls, I constantly alter the mix so that the stones and bricks are not perfectly uniform.

[@cerohero1]

I applied this tutorial to some bases I've been working on, and man does adding that little bit of brown/green really make it look good. Thanks a ton for this tutorial, super easy effect that looks really good even on your first try!

[@WargamingHistory]

Great video, I will use this in my next build

[@normanrowe2831]

Hi Mel, if I'm not wrong, this was the 3rd installment of the realistic model rocks series. And I had never seen the stippling technique before. I really liked the results a lot. It would have been helpful to see all 3 next to one another. Just so we could contrast and compare. Maybe in the future. Thanks for another great tutorial. See ya next time.

[@william1998cc]

this is a fantastic channel m8 thanks for helping me get back into the hobby, cheers

[@credoimperialis]

awesome!!!!!

[@armoredsaint6639]

OK so I’m watching your video and I’ve been painting my own rocks all day I laughed when I realized when you said we’re gonna let the rocks dry, I actually blew on the screen of my iPad!….. I think I’ve been in the shop too long! Lol

[@TheTerrainTutor]

That is awesome!

[@kevinmerrifield4767]

Nice work, Mel. I tried out the wet wash a couple of days ago and had some very favourable remarks about it. What can I say, except, your tutorials rock!

[@bradbeining3341]

Can't wait to give this a whirl on my railroad diorama

[@ImperialKneazle]

Could we see all the three different techniques you've used side by side please? As you've used the same rock mold it would be good to see the effects side by side? Loving the series btw.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Once the series is complete, I'll be doing an intro showing them all mate

[@VidovicArts]

Hell yes.. I'm going to be designing and 3D printing some terrain stuff on my own channel for DnD soon, I'll be using many techniques you've covered for everything not printed! Stay awesome Mel!

[@lvdrums]

Hi Mel, great videos and excellent work making them look so real. My question for you is...some of my castings have a lot of Mod Podge around them after gluing them in place. Does this process work only on fresh castings to soak in or will it work on the mod podge covered castings as well?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

it'll work fine mate

[@lvdrums]

@@TheTerrainTutor thanks mate. Awesome tutorial videos. I wish I was as talented as you are doing this. My rocks don't turn out so well but I'm not giving up yet.

[@taylorhickman84]

Where can I find some silicone molds like that used to make the rock in the video?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Woodland Scenics rock molds

[@trippinballs101]

Any tips if one could use air brush

[@dickybird6916]

Mel what about some dark purple and blues for that black granite/ basalt effect?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Well cover that with volcanic mate

[@phil7556]

Subtile subtile subtile seems to be the word here. Looks sooo fantastic! I feel like I've learned as much here on this video as all the other tutorials. Will this stippling technique also work on carved xps foam board ?

[@hobbywargamer8195]

I am getting a serious case of deja vu with this video.

[@Halkomahooli]

This is absolutely lovely! But a question: would doing gold or silver deposits work the same way as with the green here? But just using some silvery or golden color.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yep

[@Halkomahooli]

Awesome!

[@normanrowe2831]

Hmmmmm...interesting, this comment states it was placed 3 days ago. Whereas the video was just posted 3 hours ago. Very strange.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Nah, the video was made public 3hrs ago but patrons get early access via an unlisted link mate

[@normanrowe2831]

TheTerrainTutor, ah! Thanks for the explanation!

[@MrTravsStuff]

When you're doing "natural things". Is that what the kids call it nowadays? :D

[@ShadowPhoenixMaximus]

Hi Mel, do you have plans towards doing any coral or ocean themed terrain?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Not in this series mate

[@Sweetleaf82]

Which Woodland Scenics rock mould in particular was it you used. I don't suppose you remember? Awesome thanks. You have a new subscriber!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

No idea, I bought them years ago but you should be able to spot it on their site, they haven't got many molds

[@Sweetleaf82]

@@TheTerrainTutor Thanks buddy. Much appreciated.