Foam Carving a Mountain for Diorama/Wargaming

[@catgray1]

Having worked in a foam shop, and my husband is a foam sculptor, we never would have glued tons of little pieces together like that. We would have used appropriate foam adhesive to glue a bunch of 4 ft x 8 ft XPS panels together to make a huge block. Then, he would use a hot knife (it’s not a wire, but a thin, flat metal hot knife) and a small, handheld rasp (not the kind that looks like a big file, but rather a kind that has a small, curved head on the end of the handle) to shape the piece. If you use the right type of foam adhesive, that adhesive behaves just like foam and can be cut with a hot knife, razor knife and rasp. The foam adhesive is also great for filling in voids and then reshaping, or adding pieces where needed. Keep in mind, we usually made REALLY HUGE pieces for theme parks, restaurants, sports stadiums, museums, etc. But, the same processes can be used for smaller projects too.

[@JoshForeman]

I really wish I could find video of this process. If you have any links I'd love to see them!

[@catgray1]

@JoshForeman I don't currently have any of us doing it, though it's probably a good time to video my husband doing it so people can see what I'm talking about. I'll look and see if anyone else has videos about it, and let you know if I find any. 👍

[@catgray1]

@JoshForeman ok, there's a video done in a foam shop (I have no idea who they are, but they are using the exact same processes I talked about). The channel is called BM Sculptures, and the video is called, I spent 300 hours making this. Keep in mind, he's in a professional foam shop, so he's doing this for a client, therefore needs to take more time to meet the quality standard of the client. We never used chain saws in our shop. Just hot knives, razor knives, Japanese pull saws (because the teeth are smaller than regular hand saws), and rasps.

[@JoshForeman]

@@catgray1 Thanks! Interesting to compare how this method is certainly faster, but WAY more waste and WAY messier. Without a dedicated shop for this I don't think I can do it this way. All my other work would be coated in pink dust forever!

[@TomekBlacksMyth]

@@catgray1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4XHZpyweK-An80

[@catgray1]

One last thing, and it's super important... ALWAYS wear a mask when sanding foam. YOU DO NOT want to inhail foam dust. For one, it's a petroleum product, so has cancer causing properties, and two, once those fine particles get in your lungs there's no guarantee you'll cough them out. Especially if you work with foam often.... and it doesn't matter what kind of foam you are using. If you are making foam dust from any kind of foam, you must wear a mask (like the kinds of masks we all wore during covid). Make sure the mask fits your face really well with no air gaps anywhere. Air gaps will allow fine foam particles to be breathed in. Foam dust can be so fine that it hovers in air. It gets all over EVERYTHING. We used to have an air compressor, with an air gun thing attached, to blow all of the foam dust off of ourselves and then move away from that area before taking our air masks off. Use a hot knife to reduce foam dust, but also remember, hot knives and hot wires create really toxic fumes when used on foam.... so use them outside, or in really well ventilated areas.

[@aurelioortega9356]

Thank you for that break down. I'm being sincere when I say you opened my eyes to the risks I was taking and from now on will be using a mask.

[@philcorrin1035]

....just...thank you !, your rock carving is amazingly realistic...been looking for so long to find someone who could show such detail in how to create this level of realism.

[@JoshForeman]

you're welcome!

[@GryphonArmorer]

For the fine & extra fine crack details in strictly XPS rock : one thing I’ve found is a “wood burner”/soldering iron that has a really low, low range, using different size & shape tips (you can even custom “cut” your own tips) and different temperatures, you can make a lot of really interesting and realistic and/or smooth cartoon, comic (sooooo... many different variants) or game genre without learning a single bit of torched look on any edge or surface.; no matter what, a multitude of razor cutting implements (don’t forget plenty of extra sharps of your favorite & most useful for the project). Then the paint job just organically grows before your eyes with every stroke & color change. Great work. Doesn’t just look good/great, it looks REAL. 👍👍

[@wolfman75]

Awesome Work!!!! Great Video!!! Thank You Josh!!!! 😲👍😎

[@MrGrimmNZ]

In one video. You've made a subscriber for life my friend. Epic work. This is what I need to make the mountain of Doom from Mordor

[@JoshForeman]

Cool! I'd love to see WIP or finished images. You can always share on my discord. discord.com/invite/UjNApes

[@nicholaslongford3052]

Absolutely my favourite rock video

[@bradcraig6676]

The definitive word on foam rock carving and texturing, I will be using these techniques for certain in future. Thanks for showing us how it's done.

[@hervebuteau169]

I have looked at a lot of terrain building, but you take it to the next level. Love your work !

[@rickstockwell6177]

This is so good! I have been researching making fake mountains and rocks for a Bonsai, and this goes into much more depth than most videos especially with a Painting part. Thank you!

[@rossrichert2022]

Wait! You know Jordu Schell!! Mind blown!!!

[@ChickensTabletopCrafting]

Really cool. Love the formation

[@eyesmadeeasy]

Beautiful job came out wonderful❤

[@jordanjones2046]

This is the first video of yours I've watched and I have to say I am impressed. As you eluded to, as artists our eyes are drawn to those things that we are not as satisfied with or feel could have been better. But as you also know- again as artists, we know there is no such thing as perfection. We have to learn to turn off our artist's eyes and look at the finished project from the view of the consumer. And in this case, it's mind-blowing how real it looks. Awesome job!

[@wallaceladmo4673]

Absolutely. I learned more from this video than all the others combined. Specifically that it's ok to fail during the process. The failure makes you better, your terrain better and if its not right...repaint, recut, redo. Whatever it takes. (Bob Ross voice) There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.(Bob Ross voice)

[@jordanjones2046]

@@wallaceladmo4673 you must be from Arizona.

[@your-dad319]

I use this technique to make background & hides for reptile enclosures😄

[@grotwurksmekshop6607]

Love this. Working on a 40k display board with some snowy mountains so this is helpful

[@stevemc6861]

oh yeah....I just bought both of your books. The reviewer that stated they read the books to their kids convinced me. I'm always looking for a good book to read. I shall start tomorrow when I know my kindle will be charged up.

[@JoshForeman]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate it, hope you all enjoy. :)

[@ravenfrancis8803]

Wow Amazing work! Thanks for this I was about to make a diorama for toy photography this will be my guide.

[@JoshForeman]

Very cool! If you're on Discord please share some pictures on my Discord channel, linked in the description! :)

[@interreptor]

36:25 the Mountain look like a hand. And this hand smash out of another Mountain and pointing into the heaven :D I AM FREE and i (am) rock

[@NorthoftheBorder]

Man, this thing is glorious. I don't have any room for something that size, but I feel like if I were to get rid of my coffee table and sofa, I could probably fit it in somewhere.

[@JoshForeman]

Who needs those things anyway! Just make foam rock versions

[@Ddigzdirt]

that's a shit ton of surface to be worked and reworked. nice work👊 I wouldn't have the patience for somthing so big👍

[@dougsundseth6904]

Your mountain rather reminds me of Agathla Peak in the Navajo Nation, just south of Monument Valley. Very nice effect. For those hanging tags of foam, you might consider trying a heat gun. You have to be careful, both to maintain the underlying composition and to avoid fire and fumes, but the heat will affect small, thin bits far more than the masses.

[@lddcavalry]

Love it this is great for home Haunters too.Halloween yard display’s.

[@pilgrimgrey4191]

Great tutorial and a fantastic result man.

[@guynouri]

Really excellent - open not Teachy. Try 77 spray to tack pieces together I do like the bbq sticks Reference photos and structure first Great idea! Thanks.

[@orztirr1417]

That's awesome! You are taking on some dungeon crafting now! Yeah, all that game world building has given you an artistic eye that has to be pretty unique. Nice work on this, some really great advise about how to think like an artist here.

[@MrCros1970]

that's excellent you could make a scene from Asoka with the rock finger etc ... as a wall mounted diorama.

[@christopherd.winnan8701]

Do you have a link?

[@yetty4032]

Wonderful ❤ thank you for sharing

[@KitTheTraveler]

I always love lighting/angles you get for all this. This was enjoyable to watch.

[@LongTrout]

Very cool crafting

[@markdmaker3173]

Very cool, came out looking great. I use the same kind of foam on my backdrop sign for my KZbin channel.

[@50plymouths]

Using a very bright light will help with getting the shadows and allow you to follow the refraction of light that bounces off

[@JoshForeman]

Great tip, thanks!

[@fbanget]

I followed this excellent video to make a diorama base for my Lara Croft figure. It turned out way better than I would ever had hoped. I have included your link in my description. Hope you don't mind!

[@JoshForeman]

That's awesome to hear! If you use Discord I'd love if you posted pics on my Discord. :) www.discord.gg/UjNApes

[@catgray1]

XPS is extruded polystyrene. I used to work in a foam shop. We made EPS foam architectural shapes for exterior installations on buildings and homes. We used XPS for making theme items for theme parks, museums, trade shows, experiential marketing events, etc.

[@rockwalldesign]

That's the best foam rock so far I have seen n I have been watching faux rock videos for the last 2-3 hrs as I have to make a big wall for a bedroom of a client. It has to be light so an acrylic shell or XPS will be the way to go. Will check also yr partner from real trains. Cheers

[@tonyfriend8158]

A heat gun on those flappydoodles will do the trick :), awesome video, it was nice to see this technique used on a larger scale

[@russellperhamii2220]

Dude! Your work is awesome and you have a great channel! Liked and subscribed!

[@JoshForeman]

Thanks!

[@gerdeguelle1967]

Looking great the rocks and a nice video

[@BuckFangs]

Great work as always Josh

[@stevemc6861]

You say their are mistakes, faults, etc. You're an artist, I'm not. Therefore, I say it is a Masterpiece in the art of foam manipulation. With the blue sky background, it looked quite realistic to me. Awesome job. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@rexmage]

Jordu and Ed on Making Monsters got me into sculpting, I thought it was so cool and they seemed to enjoy it so much that I had to try it.

[@dottieburke3444]

This looks amazing. Very realistic! Great work as always 😊

[@tommyboymp]

You could use a heat gun oon the flappydoodles to melt them down then use foil or rocks to rough up the texture again

[@reneeallen3569]

Spray paint will “eat” at foam board. It does make interesting rock details. The longer you hold your spray paint can in one area the bigger holes it makes. It will eat completely through it. So be careful! I’ve also used wire brushes, picks, paint can opener, clay tools, etc. Anything will work to make textures.

[@roninhobbies2794]

Awesome work, Love Shadow of the Colossus.

[@AndyMecha]

Awesome, very useful man, thanks 😎

[@themcushelf7902]

This is fantastic! I watched (and greatly appreciated) your whole series on sculpting faces, and I’m glad to see you doing a deep dive into XPS foam rocks! I’ve watched a tone of rock making videos and I must say this is one of the best already! Didn’t realize you were on Instagram, I’ll go head over there now!

[@worldhistoryminiatureshous9757]

Very cool video .Will use your techniques for my future dioramas . Congrats from a new subscriber .

[@JiluMiah-ek2rd]

Awesome results.

[@BoysOfCinnamonCat]

Excellent.

[@draklithsDen]

Looks great Josh...well done bro !!!

[@AJBakke]

It's amazing what a little cloth can do to mute cross dimensional power.

[@sketchyguynv]

You are an artist!!!!

[@djv23690]

9:52 made me nervous af!

[@JoshForeman]

Spoiler alert: Josh survives!

[@MagicAndMeyham]

An idea to create the lichen for future projects... if it hasn't already been mentioned to you before. But try pigment powders or even oxide powders to create the texture and colors of more realistic looking lichen. You can even mix the pigments into some PVA glue to give it a bulky texture if needed. Be careful with the oxide powders if you use them, that stuff is really strong with staining things and ofc you don't want it in your lings as it's oxide... ya know RUST, so wear a respirator when working with it. All in all I loved your build thanks for sharing.

[@cerethpainting6606]

Fire from a torch will clean up and seal and slightly texture the foam. Just thoughts

[@christopherd.winnan8701]

It was interesting to see that you were using the twin temples at Fanjingshan as inspiration. I can assure you that I had much more fun watching your video than the nightmare of ascending such steep steps alongside all those charming domestic tourists!! Are you going to do some more pillar/stack/pinnacle style models? Maybe something similar to James Bond island in Thailand?

[@fenixmeaney6170]

If you were doing this for wargaming, and maybe after the final photoshoot, try adding a couple platforms for the minis to stand on? That would lend to more functional terrain than just a backdrop as well as cover up the parts you're not excited about. We've all got those doubts in our heads

[@suprasport9118]

I subscribed and like!! Happy Memorial day ♥️

[@mariejeannedewit2043]

Very beautiful work👌

[@rosemaryr.long-morgan9704]

Cool, thanks for sharing. Q: Would a sand dune be similar in principle, only with softer edges? I'm doing a Diorama. Bi-Plane is 10" in 1/39 scale... sand dune is 100ft from Crest to Sea level. I dont have the room for 1/39 scale which makes it a 30.75" drop on the Slip-face side. I'll have to down-scale further for perspective. Yes, it's the Wright Bros. Flyer scene when its about to take off in 1903 from Kill Devil Hills (formerly Kitty Hawk) NC. Thanks again

[@JoshForeman]

Yep. You can use sand paper to smooth everything out after a first rough cut. Just do it somewhere that's easy to clean up the mess and wear a mask.

[@rosemaryr.long-morgan9704]

@@JoshForeman ok thanks for gettimg back to me /Rosemary

[@catgray1]

To avoid the 'flappy doodles ' as you called them, is to use a hot knife, or a super sharp, new, blade on a razor knife. With razor knives, the key is changing out the blade frequently. It's surprising hoe quickly foam can dull a razor knife.

[@wingnutbert9685]

???- Would a quick pass over with a torch remove the flappy bits? Thanks for your comments here, providing advise from your experience. I'm an artist/sculptor and have a large slab table in the works. I've been rolling various ideas for a few years for the base out of welded steel. But seeing this video, I think a plinth out of steel for structure, covered in this type of rock technique might just be what I'm looking for. Thanks! Bert the Weldor

[@GhoblinCrafts]

That’s huge!

[@Oh6Torch]

Couldn’t you use a heat gun to lightly get rid of the flappy doodles? Right before you begin paint?

[@JoshForeman]

I've tried that, but usually get blumpy lumpies in return.

[@ca8134]

very informative as always, thank youuu

[@818Diecast]

Incredible work!

[@eduardomalcom2228]

admirable trabajo, felicidades

[@AdventureIndiana]

I don’t think there is anything more difficult than to duplicate nature or the randomness of rock. In a way, it is almost a pattern of randomness. Well done. It is hard to make stuff and not make it look obvious of how you made it or have tool marks.

[@seankenary8144]

Phenomenal!

[@villiamkarl-gustavlundberg5422]

The tallest mountain I've ever been to was all glaciers and rolling hills of gravel.

[@beardedhussar1755]

Excellent!

[@reflectiveFrankC]

I am wondering if you use turns with a brush to eat the styrene in your early shaping. There is a bit of chaos to the work because too much turns can over eat the styrene. If done litely though the edges are less blocky that a knife creates? If you have how do you compare the process? There is more chaos but the challenge of controlling the chaos is interesting. I tend to use it more for walls that have been bullet and blast riddled.

[@uptownphotography]

Well done...

[@kensomething379]

Really well done! I'll be stealing your techniques for sure! IF I had made this for my layout and this is not being critical of the piece, as it works perfectly standing on it's own, but on my layout, I'd "chop" off the "tower" and put some sort of meadowy area on top, with a few trees, possibly deer, and definitely sasquatch ;)

[@merlinsmagicworkshop9192]

Very nice !

[@nne81601]

Fantastic work of art! I have been trying to find black mod podge, but there are none? Where did you buy yours?

[@JoshForeman]

You have to mix black paint into it. I actually got the pigment they add to latex house paint, because the more paint you add, the darker it will get, but also the less protective the coating will be. I asked the paint mixer at my local hardware store if I could buy a gallon of paint, but not use the paint, just asked if they could put the pigment in a separate container.

[@fatih2313]

"These holes are the real stars of this project.. Rockstars, if you will" hahahhahahaha

[@СергейЧибисов-у8о]

SUPER !!!! 👍👍👍

[@jamesnetherian4981]

The problem with the orange lichen is the scale. You need to get much more orange onto the rocks and it needs texture. Also it needs to be brighter and have more contrast. Seems you are too afraid to make it brighter. Another thing is, that there needs to be dirt in the grooves and a few plants.

[@carolinwahlman8467]

Hi. Just found you on KZbin. I love this video, it inspired me so much. Now I'm thinking of getting some XPS foam. But question: those XPS flote better than regular styrofoam? I'm doing an underwater thing and glueing it to the bottom of an aquarium. If one of them don't flote as easy I need to use that.

[@JoshForeman]

I think they both float about the same. You'll need some way to anchor or weigh it down either way. I do think XPS is way better for making rock forms though.

[@carolinwahlman8467]

@@JoshForeman thank you

[@doug8171]

flappy doodles!

[@talamroudbehzad7454]

Amazing 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@JiluMiah-ek2rd]

Dragon mountain

[@omitorres1866]

💯💯

[@elscotty21]

I was planning on getting that pink foam but it looks like it contains fiberglass.

[@JoshForeman]

Where did you learn this? I'm having trouble finding an ingredient list

[@elscotty21]

@@JoshForeman I was at Home Depot and when I looked at the sides of the foam it had those tiny white hair strands it looked like fiberglass and since it’s called insulation foam I’m assuming fiberglass is used for insulation boards

[@JoshForeman]

@@elscotty21 Hm... well all I can say is that I've been using that rolled fiberglass stuff to insulate my garage and it's a nightmare that leaves me in hives and gets in every fiber of my clothing. But this XPS is nothing like that.

[@NateTehTank]

Love your work, just a kind request from someone who wants to keep watching.....please pick one camera angle to talk Into. I have watch about 4 of your videos and loved the content but the watching g your ear as you spoke was really off putting.

[@sam_gamergirl]

hi. i love the nature so i tell to my self that i have to do something to know the world howimportant to love the mother nature so i dicide that i'll make a artificial mountan. so i do this. the problem is im not satisfied to my fist work. ( that I FOLLOW UN YOU TUBE video) pls. give me some tips.

[@JoshForeman]

The best place to get feedback from me is my discord, where you can share pictures of your work, ( www.discord.gg/UjNApes ) or on Twitch, where I'm happy to answer any questions you have live. ( www.twitch.tv/josh_foreman )

[@supercharger1958]

Next time my freind is use a hot air gun to get shot of flappy doodles , just don’t get to close , make up a shield to protect and make it a spot eraser like a cardboard cone …

[@JoshForeman]

I haven't been able to do this without getting a melty look. But I recently got a smaller gun with a nozzle so I'll be trying again next time.

[@silkcustoms520]

Horrific

[@mithman5833]

Lot of wasted foam..should just cut 2 8x4 longs in half.. then glue all 4 pieces together then buy a hot wire foam cutter that cost like only 10 bucks compared to the 20 bucks per foam you wasted money hacking to death that wargame mountain. And the safety measures you take are a great No NO for young viewers who stumble on your channel..you should warn people of the safe way of doing things first..Just saying .

[@JoshForeman]

We are all on a journey of learning and discovery, aren't we?