Realistic scenic rocks - Acrylic stippling technique

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[@Tigercatflyboy]

Tried this technique today and its brilliant, its by far the easiest and most realistic way of painting rocks I've found, great results, once again, thank you for putting this video up on KZbin.

[@RotoRooster]

This is one of the most thorough tutorials I've seen. Excellent work!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

cheers bud

[@50yearsoldwisdom]

Oh my Gosh!!! Finally British tutorial!!!!! I'm almost 50 and just discovered that I can do some things that I've never done before. I was looking for some decent tutorial, where I could get some idea what supplies I have available in UK. I found it all: humour, talent, professionalism, knowledge and most of all - all British!!! I want to learn a lot and I think, I will stick to your tutorials for now. Thank you very much!!!! PS. I am currently putting together my very first diorama (swamp theme), I've never done it before. My aim is to use ONLY natural and recycled materials in hope to increase environmental awareness. I do various arts, all of them promote recycling and up-cycling. I'm so glad that I found you. Keep the good work. I am just a starter but if I manage to raise some founds with my work, I will definitely donate towards your work.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Welcome aboard mate, make sure you join the terrainiacs group on facebook!

[@Rexmillian]

Wow. Nothing to pick apart here. Very talented. I love videos like these. I'm just starting to get into making dioramas for scale models and cool work like this is something to strive for. Thanks for this.

[@dereklangsford3057]

Thanks for a great video. I have started making my own moulds of stones and rocks out of latex rubber. This has given me a lot of insight into how to achieve a more realistic look.

[@elrickinslayer5821]

Lovely work,Mel. As for the "perfection" thing, that's what we all work towards.It's what keeps us doing what we do. All the best from the south coast.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Elric Kinslayer Cheers buddy, it's the curse of all artists

[@johanmoors8112]

I tryed it as a test for our clublayout and i must say that it works. We're going to use this technigue at our model railwayclub in Maastricht (The Netherlands). Thanks for your tutorial.

[@johnkelley9877]

I like the effect and the method looks really easy. Another outstanding tutorial! I agree with you on on washing specific areas since flooding the rock with the wash may tint the entire paint. The wash method you use really makes the rock face look realistic. Great job!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+John Kelley Thanks very much matey :-)

[@TheDinoMonstrosity]

Looks fantastic Mel. Loving the swanky production!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Luke Dixon Slowly but surely mate, it's certainly an adventure :-)

[@GregoryGeilman]

I am always interested in different techniques in rock painting. Very nice!

[@jjab99]

Great Job Mel, You Rock!!!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+jjab99 Let the good times roll! :-D

[@leonbotha5694]

Leon here from south africa..bro what you do is simple yet absolutely amazing..and its like my mind refuses to believe that such humble strokes of the brush can produce the most awe demanding finished❤

[@Tigercatflyboy]

Brilliant Tutorial, well done and many thanks for showing it.

[@slsbt3]

im new to thr hobby. just tried your technique, and the result are amazing. thank you for the video

[@MisterKillMan]

Looks great Mel.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+MisterKillMan Cheers bud

[@stevefletcher1161]

Master rock painter! . Looks great can't wait to try this method. Thx as always for the great tutorials

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Steve Fletcher hope it works out for you buddy :-)

[@MrRavoss]

I watch these and it makes me think "How easy!!" Keep the vids coming! I am going to apply this color technique with the cork rocks, really look forward to giving it a go.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Brett Thompson It is easy, just do it mate!

[@vikkiwilson5069]

well done Mel ! Not seen this technique - or mix of techniques - before. Looks great.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Vikki Wilson You know me, I sort of figure it out as I go along lol

[@ZealousEZRA]

wow thats amazing! i need to get my hands on some of those molds

[@crowoz]

Aw I wanna hear the singing! Thanks for the awesome lesson!

[@willskip1]

Thanks for this, very informative and I'll definitely be trying it out. Looks great and so realistic.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Bill O'Brien Hope it works well for you bud :-)

[@betofrotag1262]

4 years later...nice work. well done.

[@ta24u]

Looks awesome!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+ta24u Cheers buddy

[@evolvedcreations8638]

Great work as always.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks buddy

[@WGRevival]

Cracking stuff. That yellow tint to get off straight grey is a great idea - also for concrete.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+WGRevival Oh I can see it working for that as well, going to have to try that now :-D

[@Hobbyrepubliken]

Great advice and video as always!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Republiken Thanks buddy, onwards and upwards :-D

[@kurtkyre]

Fantastic!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Kurt Kier Cheers :-)

[@PaladinMthe13th]

Thanks for showing this very nice technique. It doesn't require too much time or skill (which is perfect for me, lol) but creates a really great looking piece.

[@Wolfkins1972]

Would have never thought to add a yellow tone to my stone work but now that I've seen it, I'll have to try it next time. Thank you for the tips :0)

[@bigbossignition]

Holy crap! Impressive!!!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+bigbossignition Cheers bud :-)

[@tasinio1966]

GREAT JOB MY FRIEND ,YOU WERE SO HELPFUL !!!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+tasinio1966 Glad you liked it matey

[@dancousineau72]

Thanks again, very useful !!! Cheers from Canada🇨🇦

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Cheers!

[@pblackcrow]

I found one of the funnest ways to rocks is to take a broken cement block (a small handle's and duct tape are optional if you want to make a hammer out of the the cement), the pink of blue foam. And what you want to do is smash it with the broken cement block, and shout "TAKE SHAPE, DAMN YOU, TAKE SHAAAAAAAPE!!!" This is really amusing when your neighbor is a cop who thinks D&D is "of the devil" (which in Tennessee means: I can't comprehend it and am either afraid of trying or not going to bother trying to understand.) Um, being a K(h)emetic Wiccan, handicap, role play gamer/LARPer, reflexologist, and energy healer whose interests are quantum physics, string theory, world history, architecture of yesterday (From Pyramids, to Tudors estate houses, to Victorian Era, to the early 1900's ), archaeology, folklore,, mythology, anthropology, sociology, etc. So, if you can imagine living here, where people thing the world is only 4-80k years old...I have gotten quite a lot of that phrase thrown at me.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

That's epic!

[@haroldkeearns3497]

wonderful as ever mate. keep up the great work

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Cheers

[@goforitpainting]

Looks cool

[@w.rustylane5650]

Another great tutorial, matey. Keep 'em comin'. Rusty

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks mate!

[@bybeewins]

Well done.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+T “Claymaker52” DB Thanks matey

[@TableTopBanter]

Love it, time to get out the crappy rock terrain i did and fix it with these tips :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Table Top Banter Do it!!!!

[@Makkeru]

Thanks, great tutorial!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Makkeru Cheers bud

[@westeroslifestyle4775]

Very nice man.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+westeroslifestyle thanks mate

[@hootypatootie]

Awesome rock! It looks like a rock face you'd see in the LOTR movies, nicely done!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+hootypatootie Thanks very much :-)

[@bibbly1234]

Another great and informative tutorial, Mel, I'll definitely be using this one on some of my upcoming builds! Also, you can really see the increase in quality in these tutorials compared to the ones with the old format, keep it up mate

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Bibbly Cheers mate, it's slowly getting there but I'm kinda building myself up. Next big step will be two camera filming, that's going to be an adventure :-)

[@bibbly1234]

+TheTerrainTutor Two cameras? God Mel, you're really pushing the boat out now!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

***** hell yeah!

[@dynamicformsstudio1417]

Nice! Thank you so much!

[@TheRealZuikaku2]

Good stuff.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+TheRealZuikaku2 Cheers!

[@seanedgar164]

"It's not perfect guys". Yes it is...

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Sean Edgar Cheers bud :-)

[@RagingOwlbear]

TheTerrainTutor Your fast and sloppy is 10x better than my slow and careful! 😃

[@johnsin3843]

This simply is " top drawer " for those of us just learning. I actually am starting to believe that I can do this.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Of course you can do it, just do it

[@MiniWarzone]

Really great vid.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Mini Warzone Thanks buddy!

[@Mail2elr]

Yeah nice one Mel, yeah! 😁

[@Terranscapes]

Nice tutorial. Your modified techniques (i.e. partial wash) show just how much you can manipulate and combine established techniques. Oh, and the pip's at the beginning are a nice touch. See how new elements creep into video making? ;)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Terranscapes Cheers buddy. Now I've actually got the time, the production value is definitely improving, just waiting for my second camera to arrive for two camera filming. You should watch this sunday nights show mate, start about 30mins in, there's a topic I think you'll find interesting ;-)

[@Yosser70]

Nice work Mel :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Dave Hughes Cheers buddy, quite chuffed with it myself!

[@dannyherron8652]

Just found your spot...I like it quite a bit...looking to do Warhammer as a diorama rather than a game. Thanks from a fellow modeler, and a great job

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Danny Herron Welcome buddy, hope it helps your hobby :-)

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Ya know it never would have occurred to me to add yellow to gray. Whenever I've done that I get a really sickly color that doesnt look like anything I'm familiar with. Probably because I added too much. Now I see what difference just a small amount can make. Thanx Mel, I'll learn to paint one of these days if I keep watching your vids. ;-)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Bill D. in Iowa It's always a tiny amount when tinting mate, let's hope you'll learn to paint quicker than I'm learning to airbrush lol

[@jaimecamposmartinez]

this is fuc**** awesome

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Jaime Campos Martínez Cheers bud

[@IDICBeer]

Good sharing matey

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+IDICBeer Thanks mate

[@christianoliver25]

Monochrome was the word you were looking for. Brilliant work, btw.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Christian Oliver That's the one! Cheers buddy ;-D

[@MegaSkulltaker]

Top video...thx m8

[@TazorNissen]

This is brilliant. Just the kind of video I wanted to see on rock painting, will use it for sure. Videos like this is the main reason I even dare to do model and terrain painting. I'm gonna do a rock facing in a snow environment. Would you change the washes for this?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+TazorNissen Awesome sauce mate, re colours, darken them, where there's snow, there's moisture, that darkens the stone and the earth mate

[@stonegolem17]

Very nice Mel, finished piece looks like something Weta Workshop might put out :) A tip I learned from a railway modeler for detailing rocks was adding the suggestion of lichen growing on them. Putting white or yellow paint on a toothbrush and then flicking it onto the rocks haphazardly does the trick apparently (never tried it myself!). Might be worth a go.

[@PIRATER0B0TNINJA]

What occurred to me is maybe using some green/brown weathering powders to create streaks of mud/algae growing over areas where water is regularly trickling. Might not be something you see in dryer parts of the world, but here in the Pacific Northwest where it rains all the time you definitely see a lot of streaky rocks.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

+PIRATER0B0TNINJA Weathering powders would make a great video.

[@PIRATER0B0TNINJA]

Indeed. Apparently crushed pastels will also work in a pinch. Just need to seal with matt varnish

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Louis Britton I'm saving the detailing for a separate vid once I've covered more painting techniques mate :-)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Bill D. in Iowa It's on the list, along with a few others :-)

[@vonries]

To be honest, if you are not trying to represent a specific area then you can add most any color in place of the yellow, and your rocks will come out great.

[@jamesevans886]

I actually never considered using stippling for rock faces although I use the technique a lot in other areas. I normally use leopard spotting. Just a point what you call mistakes are what actually makes rocks look truly natural. If you want to tie your colours together after dry brushing with pure white use a simple filter. Just black paint mixed up with 16 parts water to 1 part black and generously painting it over the entire piece. Allow it to pool in the crevices. You videos are getting more impressive. As for the singing save it for when you have had an afternoon at the pub. But warn us so we too can spend the afternoon at the pub as well and your ratings will go up. ;-)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+James Evans Thanks for the tips mate, covering shotgun washes in another vid soon. If it keeps going like this, the drinks will be on me!

[@jamesevans886]

+TheTerrainTutor I figured you would as it is amazing how many hobbyist don't know about it, yet it is one of the fastest and natural looking methods. Name the pub and I will be there just in pod cast, bugger!

[@andyakarudolfhessiansack7936]

Hay T-Rain-Tutor, you mention the first coverage should be 90%. But what about the 2nd, 3rd and final stippling? And what sort of sponge? Is it meant to spatter in shape of sponge divots, whats the purpose?

[@Banshun]

Looks great. Glad to be a patron. The production quality of the videos is great now. I think the only thing you could improve is a new mic when funds allow. Keep up the great work, Mel.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Banshun Actually, I think you'll find that not the only way I can improve them. Keep your eyes peeled mate and I couldn't have done it with my patrons support, so thank you. ..... Ssshh .... no one mentioned two camera tutorials .... nothing to see .... move along ;-D

[@josephcirillo5292]

Great job!!!.....do you apply this rock face directly onto the extruded foam???......if not what would you use are a base???....

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Joseph Cirillo Directly on to the foam mate, I'll be covering that in a future vid ;-)

[@55477ggdfh]

Thats good

[@DarrenMalin]

wonderful :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks mate

[@toxio5719]

I'm working on something like this

[@Lucien967]

Fantastic wiork Mel, looks great, thanks for the tutorial. I was looking at doing something similar but with darker blues and greys for a more sci-fi look, like some sort of wasteland that looks pretty bleak but still has that level of realism, do you have any advice on how I could go about achieving this kind of effect?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Got a reference photo link mate?

[@adamcondon4610]

top thancks

[@TheTerrainTutor]

No worries

[@MultiFolkert]

Really nice, would like to know the exact mold that is used. also, alltough I am a N scale railroad modeler I cold put this rock just like that right on my layout.

[@MWepex]

These rocks look awesome! As a challenge, how would you add in a vein of quartz/gold?

[@billd.iniowa2263]

+MWepex Paint a line of PVA and sprinkle clear glitter on it? Ground up glass? Neat idea man.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+MWepex Metalic model paint as a pin wash and painted very finely on the surface :-)

[@johnclark8587]

I am catching up on old stuff as i am just starting. What about a green wash on the top of ledges where algae grow in the corners.

[@Selavel1]

I know this video is almost a year old...but I have a question...have you tried the leopard spotting technique from woodland scenics? I really like this technique and it doesnt give a predominate grey to the rock...I love your technique for making rocks that would be mostly granite though and will be using it for such.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yes, I used that technique on the foil mold rockface tutorial matey

[@civiccc]

how did you mold that rock? its beautiful, the cracks on the right top side is crazy

[@TheTerrainTutor]

It's cast from a woodland scenics rock mold mate

[@johntailby74]

Would you be better to add some yellow to the highlight layers to help in changing the shade a bit? Then maybe put some blue into the shade mixes to get some warm cool contrast happening? the rocks do look nice

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+john tailby The lighter it gets, the stronger the tints get, so a little maybe but not to heavy mate, blue works well as does burnt umber. Cheers buddy :-)

[@yaboyzzz9098]

I'm watching this two years after its been posted and wondering if anyone else is

[@betofrotag1262]

3 years now, timeless.

[@daves2354]

2022 here and mankind is still seeking out realistic painting techniques for foam rocks lol

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Question: What if I dont want gray rocks? What if I want to replicate limestone? Do I just paint it with a sandstone base color and then do as you did...mix yellow and white into it, and lighten it up in steps? Basically substituting sandstone for gray.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Bill D. in Iowa Leave the yellow out if you're already starting with sandstone, highlight up using a cream, applies a thin yellow overall wash, with a mix of orange/midbrown as a direct wash in the recesses :-D

[@francinefuqua6773]

Will the colors wash off in the rain?

[@paula_shugart]

Hi there! Whats the brand of your casting powder? Im thinking of just doing this as my pond stone.. Can it be submerged in a pond

[@jayeseagrim9702]

Hey man, I was planning on doing a series of "Bonsai Mountain" these techniques would really apply! Thanks for that. Any tips for me regarding making various mountain that (for lack of a better description) look far away and not small? I was going to do different kinds in ceramic bowls with actual rocks under the materials for weight. I'd like to start with rocky mountains and eventually move on to clay / red rock varieties and forested ones etc.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Check the hills playlist mate

[@jayeseagrim9702]

TheTerrainTutor thanks!!

[@dreadknot69]

For a couple years now, I've tried this water+paint method making my own washes. Every single time it always dries with a white crust around it and it looks terrible. I've just realized that it's probably my water. The water in my house is probably heavy and laden with calcium or something and that's what I see when it dries. I'm gonna try some distilled water and test it out at home.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yep, that'll be the water, distilled will be fine mate ;-)

[@dreadknot69]

Thanks!

[@sylviajennings5495]

It's most likely lime in the water. Lime leaves a white residue. You could try filtering the water, with one of those drinking water filters like Brita.

[@ianbennett6285]

Hi I’m just starting out on the scenery side of my railway layout.ive very little experience on painting rocks and terrain. Accrilic paint can be expensive when you consider how much terrain I’ve got to cover. Is there a base pallet of colours I need to start me off if so what are they. Cheers ian.

[@gmangaz2007]

can u try it again same as b4 except with additional comments below + round circular rock or boulders. one u did was lovely but was a flat stone piece or cliff facerock

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+gmangaz2007 Smooth stone and all the other stuff is on the list bud ;-)

[@seanedgar164]

"It's not perfect guys". It totally is Mel

[@mortenalbertsen7443]

What was the brand of molds called you used for the rocks? If it's a NOCH i might have the exact same mold somewhere in my pile :P I will see what part of this i can snatch to make it fit the army if have/terrain i plan! Great result you got there!

[@stonegolem17]

+Morten Albertsen (Mineraleater) Pretty sure it was Woodland Scenics rock moulds.

[@DerRontje]

+Louis Britton yep, have them myself, Woodland.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Morten Albertsen (Mineraleater) Woodland Scenics buddy :-)

[@mortenalbertsen7443]

TheTerrainTutor i was pretty sure you said NOCH at some point :P the "woodland" must have been swallowed by my headphones or something like that

[@Phox532]

Mel can you do a Video on how to make like a Realm Gate or like a teleportation gate, some magical gate of something.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Phox532 I'm sure we will at some point mate

[@Phox532]

Okay sweet. I've been watching your videos a lot lately cause I want to build a display board for a dark Elves army.

[@vrprof3624]

I remember a lot of hill making videos, but I don't remember any that show how to get the rock texture you used for this video. Must have missed (forgotten) it. Someone point me to that video? Thanks.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Michael Granaas That vid is yet to come mate ;-)

[@vrprof3624]

+TheTerrainTutor excellent, means I didn't miss it.

[@x.davidwilliams83]

Huzzah!

[@jimsrenaski9534]

You said in the last one that you were going to cover making rock molds but I can't find anything like that. Can you direct me?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Search my vids for foil rock mold mate

[@redgreen09]

looking good daer ;;;;]\]]]

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+redgreen09 Thanks matey

[@BIGgunner33]

what kind of brushes do you use

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Everything from professional hobby & house brushes to cheap synthetic kids craft ones

[@BIGgunner33]

TheTerrainTutor thanks for the info brother you are very helpful

[@KederektundUnx]

That rock rocks (sorry, jajaja). Do you think it will work for a desert rock or other colors would be better?

[@PIRATER0B0TNINJA]

I've definitely seen the same stippling technique used for desert rocks. Just a matter of shifting your palette accordingly. Make sure to shift the tones from those used in your sand, to keep the interest in the piece.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Lustriano de Plata Go for your ocra's mate ;-)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Lustriano de Plata Ochre's doh!

[@Tritium21]

...Yes. Sing.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Alex Walters Maybe in the next one ;-)

[@Amurayiwestgate]

Can you point out one one of your video where you actually explain where to get the source material for a rock like piece, please? (other than real and far too heavy rocks of course) Is this bark? Gipsum? Do you break off plaster pieces? Polystyrene (styrofoam) always looks so unrealistic...

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Amurayiwestgate It's Hydrocal 2 mate, pretty sure it's mentioned in the intro mate

[@Amurayiwestgate]

+TheTerrainTutor Thanks! You mention "Woodland scenics molds". Looking forward to a video about their products. You're doing by far the best instruction videos on KZbin for Tabletoppers! Keep it up!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Amurayiwestgate Cheers buddy :-)

[@georgetaylor5482]

Mel (Rocky) your just missing your Bullwinkle.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I'll use that as Kez's nickname bud!

[@Pedro116092]

no matter how I try I just don't seem to get the dry brushing right

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Why?

[@Pedro116092]

either too much paint or not enough, have tried using chalk and even crayon but it never looks as good as yours. so I am on the verge of giving up

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Are you using curragated cardboard to soak up the excess paint

[@Pedro116092]

I use paper hand towel

[@sabahbenkaddour4254]

bonjour svp le morceau que vous avez colore est a base de quoi merci

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Sabah Benkaddour Heureux il a aidé , peut-être je vais chanter la prochaine fois

[@sabahbenkaddour4254]

Bonsoir vous ne m avez pas compris le morceau que vous colore est ce que c est une pierre ou quoi merci

[@multaekappae229]

+Sabah Benkaddour [Émulsion] Gris Ardiose (Slate Gray), Jaune, Blanc, [Wash] Terre D'ombre Brûlée (Burnt Umber), et Noir

[@Tritium21]

...You ask us not to pick you apart, but I am gonna... Just a little. You are too critical of yourself. We know you were working fast to show us the technique, we were there. That said, with this technique, mistakes are acceptable. a 'happy accident'. Rocks arn't perfect in nature.

[@smudgepost]

I'm the 11,000 viewer, what do I win? 😁

[@StLaparole]

the sms was your man in the car outside the house waiting for you?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+StLaparole not sure what you mean mate

[@sebas888888]

I love your tutorials but please use a white plate. You need to know what your mix really is, offing it with a yellow plate doesn't help. I come from a more painter side than terrain background, but mixing colours is universal so please use a white plate, or whatever white ceramic. Peace and may the palette be with you