Modelling Realistic Rocks - Stylised Wargaming Technique

In the first of this new series on modelling realsitic rocks for your wargaming terrain, we tackle the most simple and least realistic technique that is great technique for beginners to create good looking rock effects for terrain sets easily.

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[@khaiman_]

Bob Ross of Wargaming scenery. Great stuff Mel!

[@rustedbeetle]

The Wave in Arizona, made of sandstone is one of the most fantastical rock formations I'd love to see on tabletop.

[@IshanDeston]

I have a 100 of 100 chance of seeing your videos in my feed by clicking the "subscriptions" tab/Menu point. That is what it is there for.. to see all the videos of all the channels that you subscribed to.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Are you sure because the youtube tech team say that's actually your most engaged channels

[@IshanDeston]

@@TheTerrainTutor I am pretty sure, because i never missed a video of yours that i didn't want to miss :p And i don't click on all the videos. For example i haven't had time for your weekend podcast/hangout in a while and it still shows up. If i am using the subscription tab i even get videos in there of channels that came back to life after nearly a year of inactivity. Its only the 'Recommended' tab where they don't show up... but when i am clicking on Subscriptions menu point it lists all videos of my subscriptions. I confirmed it many times over the years with random, obscure channels and such... always get all of their videos. I even check channels i haven't gotten a video in for a while to see if i missed something, and it never happened to my knowledge.

[@normanrowe2831]

Hi Mel. If these are not realistic, I can’t wait for the further episodes. Thanks, see you next time.

[@adt70hk33]

As always a great little tutorial. Had a my first go at the technique this past week. Perfect it is not but it's not too bad either!!! Thx. Mel!!! 👏

[@johnlenin476]

Simple and perfect ! Thank you 👍

[@aaronbono4688]

I love how you're going back to the basics. Often times we get into advanced techniques and we forget the basics which are the foundation that we have to work from for the more advanced stuff. It's great to have a refresher every now and then.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

It's my thing, I don't chase the shiny stuff, I produce comprehensive series of videos

[@sword-brother7366]

Great vid as always Mel!

[@dannypockets]

Thanks for all your excellent videos!

[@s.j.52]

Video is great mel, it is clean. Keep it up.

[@jaydehannel494]

Such a useful video! I can’t wait to try it!

[@Purpll3D]

That warm brown could totally be used for a more realistic setting, some dry areas that have heavy downpour or strong winds could leave some dirt trailing down or across the rocks leaving the nooks and crannies of the rock face filled with dirt or sand or whatever biological matter that happens to find it self there. Love the channel, cheers from Canada mate!

[@Pedro116092]

good to see you back with the lets build vids, I have been disiponted since you have been concentrating on promoting the book and also live streams. Have missed these vids.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Me too, didn't realise how much until I started to film them, think it comes across in next weeks vid, much more Mel like lol

[@ffblitz7990]

Thank you so much for this tuto i was actually looking for something like this, i am an ant keeper (i raise colonies of ants from a single gyne), i made a formicarium (ant farm) yesterday using mortar and it look like a mountain with a lot of caves inside which i will paint to look like rocks, and your advices are great for doing this! thank you, +1 to your chaine l'artiste.

[@TheGameSmithsTable]

I haven't used molds for any of my terrain builds yet. This might be the best place to start. Thanks for the vid (from across the pond)! 😀

[@TheTerrainTutor]

There's a few vids on rock molds in the hills and rocks playlist mate

[@FrankyDCrafter]

I just realized I’m not subscribed under my channel name. You just got another sub.... sorta. Killer videos. Love your work.

[@davidekstrom9595]

Iv been subbed for awhile and haven't seen anything from you in months

[@TheTerrainTutor]

good old youtube

[@ScratchBashing]

Great technique!

[@heldaneurbanus5135]

You rock!

[@falkojager3064]

Hi Mel, really nice vid! Was impressed by the crisp video and audio quality. Also liked your narration - is it possible your work on the book influences your style a bit? Anyway - well done!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Onwards and upwards bud!

[@Indicaadventures1062]

Rang the bell and I was here first thanks Mel 😃

[@djangofreeman5085]

" Stylised Wargaming Techniques " Hmmm! Hi Terrain Terror, I've a "?" for you. How well will the Stylised Wargaming Techniques blend or work if used for a Slot Car Race Track Layout? I know, Wargaming Terrain is your foretay but, I'm a Slot car racing kinda guy who wants his layout to look REALISTIC! That's Why I'm here and Subscribed to your channel. I want to learn from what I call the Best B'cause You Focus on Terrains! Thanks for your terrain tutorial series, "Hills, Rocks & Cliffs," that's the stage that I'm on with my layout! I learned the spray in foam technique originally from "Boone's Slot Car Garage." He's covered the other things that are gonna HELP me make my layout POP! But you my friend are the Terrain GURU and I want to learn frm the BEST! Thanks Mate and Cheers frm across the "Pond" the {American} Midwest!

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Those are very rocky rocks, lol. Yeah, we still remember that one. For future vids, could you do limestone, and mimic the strata in it. Its a sedementary rock so it has layers to it. I'm trying to work this out right now but I'm just going by different bands of creams.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

limestone is on the list bud

[@billd.iniowa2263]

@@TheTerrainTutor Cool. I have the wet-blending ok, but its the layers of stratification that are throwing me. I'm using different base colors for each band of rock.

[@johntailby74]

What glue and to what substrate would you glue that rock mould to Mel?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Grib adhesive or hotglue, pva will stick it but you can rarely get a smooth enough join for it to work mate, so go with something that has volume

[@BBruziak]

Now some Martian rocks please! :)

[@Thergood]

Is there a Crystacal R equivalent in the US by chance?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Herculite 2 is the only close one I know mate

[@StalkeraBg]

After seeing this i cant help but wonder.. is it possible to create a mountain ridge by using plaster and small rocks to create an uneven terrain ? It will possibly be a great way to create a land slide tho in the recesses if you paint it up when its still a liquid so the rocks look a bit brighter after.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Sure, there's a tutorials in the hills and rocks playlist

[@StalkeraBg]

TheTerrainTutor Thank you- will see em ! (Have watched most of the terrain vids, flocking, tree building and bunkers and the like you posted too- however still dont understand one thing- can PvA glue be used to seal the rocks) ? Afraid of chipping it.

[@Galorn]

Applying the brown as a wash works a bit better.

[@kernbanks]

Mel, it's not a rock style but I'm very interested in glaciers and big ice walls. Bonus if you cover how to tie a rock face/cliff into the ice wall of the glacier.

[@Beschaulichkeit]

I bet the crumpled aluminum foil rock mold technique could work really well for ice walls. You could shape some column like forms into it and keep some smooth areas.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Glacier colours already covered mate - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqHLYYt_a9OJaq8

[@elmirBDS]

Mel: get a make up appliction brush for your drybrushing instead of those hard brisstle ones. Thank me later! ;)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Too soft for terrain work mate

[@BoWhitten]

I don't use the notice bell at all for any of the channels I am on I have never missed a single thing... not once in the last decade. I don't doubt some might, but I don't really think this is a thing. On the other hand, I am proactive for my own life, I look at my subscription list every time I log in. Maybe that is why I am not missing anything. I don't expect the world to give me everything for free. LOL

[@federico1263]

What do you use to pour into the molds?

[@fredfred1651]

He uses crystacal R plaster.

[@StalkeraBg]

Federico galdenzi Usually from what i gathered from weeks of searching its plaster. A detailed explanation is to use different kinds for different results, as you can use different grades, with different size of the grains and hardness. You proly could use finer, for arts, or plaster for walls, or for casts, etc- again different prices, different types and hide the inperfections by highlighting or washes. Usually its up to what is cheapest, as you can use better grade for linka molds or other casting companies to build houses for the Wargame or dioramas .

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Crystacal R, it's in the video mate

[@federico1263]

@@TheTerrainTutor Missed that. I'm sorry.

[@redgreen09]

neat me i just mix in the gray or black as mix the blank you pord in thare me its durhams you put black in it and get gray yes save a sepe thats all so you po9p it out and just dirty up bit alwhy save seps the stuff goes faster or paint red see sun day

[@ADHDlanguages]

Have any of you US based folks had luck finding Crystacal R without paying an arm and a leg for international shipping?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

look for ceramic slip casting powder mate

[@Detson404]

Merlin's Magic casting plaster is great stuff, and I believe they're based in Columbus, Ohio.

[@IshanDeston]

I am disappointed to see that you used the woodland scenics mold. I mean you already shared the aluminium foil, i get that, but what i really loved about your channel is that i didn't have to go out and buy some brand stuff. I think it would have been cool if you maybe would have shared a way to make your own reusable molds or something, instead of buying them. After all i am sure woodland scenics has video tutorials on how to use their stuff. That being said... even though its criticism, thank you for the video, as always.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

The series is about rock colours, using this mold over another just speeds up the process and lets me show techniques on a standardised piece mate

[@IshanDeston]

@@TheTerrainTutor Ahh, my misunderstanding then. I was under the impression you meant to show off the entire rock-creation process, not just the colors :)

[@DMNKLR_official]

I miss the old TTT, honestly. This new version isn't as authentic in feeling, like when Hollywood remakes Asian movies and Americanizes them into something totally different. This doesn't feel like the real deal Mel Bose, in all honesty. I'm disappointed.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Wait till you see tomorrows vid mate, its been a while and it took me a couple of vids to get back into the flow ;-)

[@DMNKLR_official]

@@TheTerrainTutor #stoked!