Modelling Realistic Rocks - Acrylic Wet-Wash Technique

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

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[@TheTerrainTutor]

So folks, I've got sandstone, limestone and volcanic lined up, any other rock types your like me to cover in this series?

[@TheImmersiveWorldCrafter]

Sandstone and limestone will be your sedimentary rocks, and volcanic is your igneous rock. I would say you need to include some metamorphic rocks too with ribbonlike layers and perhaps some minerals within their forms.

[@BBruziak]

Martian rocks please!!

[@Gambeloakgaming]

Marble plz

[@edevans5991]

Red sandstone

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Granite. Anyone wanting to model the Rockies will need to know how to do Granite. Like the model RR folks.

[@Zipy54]

"i love working wet, it's always the best fun!" also this actually a rly good tutorial

[@poojagadigi]

Nobody explained as clearly as you have done. Thanks a ton just got it what i wanted. Highly realistic

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Glad it helped

[@MichaelAlthauser]

I think this is legitimately one of the coolest tutorials I've ever seen. The end result looks like you shrunk down a cliff face and set it on your hobby desk.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks mate

[@NewSquallor]

Thing of beauty, a joy forever.

[@the_arcanum]

Sooo, this is the actual Leopard spots technique. Wet on wet. Mate, I'm so happy to have rediscovered that tutorial. I've seen so many videos from terrain youtubers that just apply bright color washes directly on porous plaster and then darken everything with a black wash. And it just ends up looking like dogshit, really unrealistic because there's no blend and the initial bright washes get sucked into the plaster before they have time to blend. This is looking WAY better. Thanks Mel !

[@craigallison2801]

Mel is certainly channelling his inner Bob Ross in this video! Fantastic results for a relatively easy to do technique

[@dimligloing]

Definitely a happy little rock🙂

[@jamescook1364]

Fabulous....

[@luppchri]

I had some great results with dry brushing but your technique provides for sure more realistic results. I was not sure what to think when you started adding unusual colors like Amber but it really adds this extra level of realism. Well done and thanks for sharing!

[@jonathanreich9694]

Dude, this is incredible!! I have always done my rocks using a dry brush technique. They have never looked this good. I can’t wait to try this!!

[@sianscountrylife4925]

What a clear tutorial ! 👌 👏

[@juliusjames5577]

Ha you kill me! Not only did I learn how to paint some realistic rocks I learned some English. Picky sod, cheeky fellow, etc… love it.

[@longimanusisurus132]

It's clear, heterogeinity is the clue, and water washing before applying Paint! Good job!!

[@kallegrabowski8972]

What shall i say: breathtaking and absolute stunning. You are the godfather of painting rocks. The best Result i have ever seen here. Now i try to use the knowledge i get from this video on my model-railroadrocks. Thank you very much indeed!

[@chumbawampa]

Great tutorial this is the best way of doing rocks ive found the wet wash method from your video you can really get realistic rock shades

[@joanneworrell5936]

Looks like you’ve picked a detailed rock from your backyard. Amazing results for minimal effort

[@shillinhite3911]

Hoping to get an owl griffon mini soon that comes with a little rock cliff perch, so the algorithm did good recommending this one for me! Thanks for the tutorial.

[@billjacon4527]

I'm just coming across your videos, WOW, that's incredible! I am going to give this a go on mine.

[@shiroumxm2052]

I love the result, absolutly organic, wish I could paint my rocks that good..

[@Digitalfiendscom]

Definitely my favourite of the techniques you’ve shown in this series...it really produces a natural/realistic look!

[@SamDaMan410]

This is an amazing technique!! Simple and easy. I just finished 3D printing a huge fantasy castle and there is a cliff part underneath and I was trying to figure out how to paint the rocks. And it looks amazing!!

[@GregoryGeilman]

You can also use Woodland Scenics Earth Colors pigments. Yellow Ochre and Raw Umber are nice additions.

[@angryzombie8088]

Its looking really good & your explanation is very helpful.

[@RagingOwlbear]

Oh my gosh... I like this so much better than the other leopard-spot wash techniques. Thanks for this! This is exactly what I've been looking for.

[@Loafy23]

Please do a side by side comparison of the completed rock walls so we can see how the end result varies by technique.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Once they're all done, I will mate

[@normanrowe2831]

Hello Mel. What a lovely rock! Great tutorial. The one thing I noticed right of the bat was you never came back at the end with a white high lightening technique. You know the old dry brushing. I found that fascinating. But also that fact that you let the rock and your washes create their own highlights was much superior in the final results. And that my friends is why we watch the master. See ya next time.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

a drybrush at the end would be unrealistic with this technique mate

[@kevinmerrifield4767]

Fantastic vid. Jack Black can suck it, this is the real "School of Rock".

[@yaboyzzz9098]

😂😂

[@yaboyzzz9098]

😂😂

[@RoboticDragon]

lol

[@bisdaktv1545]

thanks, big help to me, 1st time making Rock diorama for 144 scale Gundam... 🤗

[@philh36ify]

Such talent! So informative and easy to follow. Thanks so much this tutorial helped me so much. 👍😁

[@itsio7188]

Smart of simple. Excellent

[@dale77788]

10.04 Same. But I might try this painting technique too.

[@garryeckert5929]

Love the rock for had as background as I washed dishes. When I get more will watch it again. Good luck mate.

[@davehunt5766]

As always a joy to watch your techniques on scenery

[@bensrpgpile2]

Mind blown. Really well done. Can’t wait to try. 👊🏻 Wonder how it would do on 3D printed pieces. Probably have to prime it up nicely first. 🤷‍♂️

[@philippeleblanc7293]

Great tutorial, I am following it to paint my model railroad rock faces. Thanks for sharing your great technique!

[@gregkelleher8994]

Another great video Mel. You asked for suggestions regarding different rocks. How about one on desert outcrops?

[@davehunt5766]

You have great scenery videos

[@manikyampalaka2612]

Thankyou sir , it's absolutely fantastic 👏👏👏

[@tonygaeta]

OMG!!! look great natural, genius, thanks for the tips. 😀👏🏻👏🏻

[@philRminiatures]

Wonderful and realistic work, impressive and effective technique!👍👍

[@creativeline03]

Wonderful tecnic , thank you for sharing.

[@DeanPark]

You My Sir are a genius! This is SO GOOD! I will definately be using this on my Dean Park layout at some point. Brilliant! Cheers. Dave

[@arkenhemnall6224]

Really lovely outcome there, I'm doing my own rocks at the minute too, and definitely as you've done here. All too often though lovely work like this is made to look a bit naff by overly heavy use of semi luminous static grasses and flocks clumped on in lumps all over too. Good stuff, I'll have to use the plaster moulds too sometime as I've hand carved all my rocks, it takes ages! Cheers

[@joshgreer784]

This looks perfect for a project I've been fighting with. Does this technique work on plastic models as well?

[@oo7hashassin173]

I need your help lol I’m a beginner and love predator, so as a fan and fussy with displays I’m making my own lol 😂

[@billd.iniowa2263]

I noticed you did this in one shot. I often do a color and let it dry so I can see how it looks. Then wet everything again and do the next color. Say, What happened to that tiny drop of yellow you added in your first vids a few years ago? The difference was amazing. Very realistic!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

That in the next vid mate

[@StaffanNilsson1]

That result looks amazing! Nice work and good tutorial.

[@djangofreeman5085]

You are a Terrain Terror! Love the UK terminology, fun stuff. But, let's get crackin'. I am new to all this stuff and watching various others for techniques to paint with acrylics. I'm a Slot Car race track guy and my layout is gonna need a lot of terrain i.e. rocks, cliffs, trees and maybe a pond or a waterfall. I've seen some of your other stuff and was wondering whether or not to subscribe. . . . No Worries Mate b'cause I finally did today as well as clicked at the end of This vid on the "Hills, Rocks and Cliffs" tutorial. Thanks for the tutorials and Hard Work Mate, Cheers!

[@nikond90ful1]

Thanks for the video. A nice realistic looking rock face.

[@GarlandLym]

Awesome tutorial,…subbed

[@dannypockets]

Excellent! Thank you very much!

[@modelsfromscratch]

Thanks Mel - great technique I've not tried it but am sure to give it a go after seeing these results. I've not checked all your videos on rocks and hills but would be interested in how you handle dry country - especially mesas etc. more focussed on red earths landscapes. Also good to see you take on crafting scree. Cheers mate. Alan

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Sandstone is on the list mate

[@milesbenton7217]

Great video and explanation. Thank you so much!

[@jimbollman2292]

Great job, learned allot. Thanks and keep the videos coming.

[@olgachanachowicz2861]

I like your video. Can you apply this technique to wet wash concrete rocks in my garden? I just made some faux cement river stones as a border. The cement is still curing. Can I use ordinary latex paint for this technique or does it have to be exterior paint?

[@rexwithers]

That's some very nice rock right there! Thanks

[@negotiableaffections]

An amazing piece of painting. I've many terrain builders doing similar things but this stands out. You kept the ratio of random to skillfull application just right. Is it me or does it look better in the video sections rather than the still photos?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Still learning how to colour grade my pics, always learning mate

[@DaveBailiff]

Mel still on the go. Nice to see.

[@Bristle_and_Broadsword]

Amazing video. Helped a lot!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Glad to hear it!

[@Finthefish-hr8ky]

Love your content mate thanks.

[@TheJamesm1980]

Great video could you add a dry brush on top of this technique??

[@josechitty339]

This looks fantastic Mel

[@SathyaRavi46sathya]

Wow.. amazing .. Great talent ... I like your color technic .. Congrats...

[@bluesun-qn9yr]

Love this technique looks great

[@rogerdennis276]

Great video very nice looking rock

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

Well done mate! You make it look so easy

[@norfolksouthernblackspired8167]

Fantastic!

[@Karen-dq2pn]

Thank you for the video 😊

[@vivianacanda9525]

Precioso!!!!!!

[@MichaelaGerloff]

amazing

[@arcort669]

Looks amazing!!! Do you use a clear sealer between any of the first layers?

[@WylochsArmory]

Awesome video

[@TheTerrainTutor]

thanks bud

[@guynouri]

Excellent thanks

[@DenFrutselaar]

Very nice tutorial , do you highlight the rocks with drybrushing to finish it off , or will that overdo it ?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

It'll overdo it mate

[@oussakoussa5147]

Great job Great thanks

[@TheGameSmithsTable]

Very informative! Thanks!

[@boblivoti]

great video

[@danielebling]

Wonder how to change this technique to paint plastic rocks

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

Hiya Mel, new boy here but learning a lot thank you. May I ask where you get those moulds from?

[@paula_shugart]

Hi there! Whats the name of your casting powder and will it submerged underwater if i will use it in my koi pond? Thank you so much

[@dale3869]

Do you gloss coat between color applications? Say after the gray?

[@Galorn]

If you ad a drop or two of dish detergent to your thinning water it works even better.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

That's for dry washing mate, there's no need with wet washing

[@teddyjackson1902]

Thanks guy

[@pjs5340]

Nice work, well explained, you've got a new abonnee =)

[@kimnobles7687]

I love this - thank you! Do you put anything on it to protect it afterwards, like a varnish?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Matt coat will do it mate

[@زهرهاليلك-ف1م]

رائع جدا 👏 شكرا لك 🌷🌷👍

[@donnywhitedonny6221]

3000 like!!🥳

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Whoop!

[@chaoticpainting1507]

If I had some pigments would it be ok to skip the dirt step and just toss on some dirt that way?

[@shiroumxm2052]

i dont know why whenever I make a Black wash it ruins my rock , instead of birnging up the details and cracks it brings up the white titanium i use to make grey..im so frsutrated.. Also I find grey color looks a bit purple/blue

[@kristofferlinden6306]

Wow

[@teddyjackson1902]

Do you do any painting of non-porous surfaces?

[@thepigmeat9553]

Could you link to the products you use to cast and mold the rock in this video?

[@kodydavidson-n6v]

that middle clip of the three on the wall with the one clamp twisted around backward in the beginning of the video is REALLY hurting my brain with the rest of the nice and organized things lol now that I see it you must all see it aswell. xD

[@romanor1er]

👍🏻

[@kallegrabowski8972]

Hi big master, i have tried your technique on my rocks, but i didn't worked like on your video. The rocks were already painted with dispersion wall color (for indoor-use) before i found this video. The thinned burnt umber and co. won't stick, they are running simply over the rock. Looks really terrific. What color (grey) do you use first as primary color? Is this a normal and waterbased acrylic color? My plan is to paint the rocks complete again with acrylic-grey and start right from the beginning. Will this work? I have already tried it with a ground coat, but it failed. Now i am desperate....

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I used a simple house paint grey, it sounds like youre using too much water when weathering buddy

[@kallegrabowski8972]

@@TheTerrainTutor Hi man, thanks so much for your reply. Your grey color is for what? Wood? Plaster/Concrete-surfaces? Is the color for Indoor or outdoor? I believe i didn't use to much water when i look at your video. The colorpigments are showing no equal distribution to create the shading-effect like in the video. They are accumulate in tiny puddles.

[@georgennsanchez9443]

What style of paintg is this And what is the names of all those cokors

[@superpowerstopmotion3394]

this is an art attack! this is an art attack This is Art Attack! anyone remember that show?

[@hardeepsinghluthra8875]

Can we do it with white cement?

[@Olney66]

I tried this last night. I sprayed wet water on a small area then painted on gray diluted pigment. I wound up with a whole area of blotchy dark, medium and light gray. Not an even appearance covering. Looks more like I did leopard spotting. Should I have just sprayed on regular water? At this point, what can I do to get the solid gray color that I wanted? Can anyone help?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Coat it in a thick layer of wet water mate

[@Olney66]

@@TheTerrainTutor Thanks buddy. I'll give it a try.

[@collieryhubgames1151]

HI, where do i find the vid of you painting the rocks on your d-day board?

[@MrApollohammond]

whats the name of the casting powder you use?