HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN TERRAIN:
Large Boulder


Styrofoam Rocks
Bark Mulch Rocks

STYROFOAM ROCKS
Era All
Scale 25mm
Difficulty Very Easy
Materials
  • Styrofoam board (1" or more thick)
  • sharp knife (over 2" blade helps)
  • card
  • paint
  • optional terrain decorations
When making large boulders or small rock outcrops, this is the system I use. It's really simple, and highly effective. I prefer this to using actual rocks, which are heavy, dirty, and scuff the table frequently.

  1. With your knife, carefully cut a square from your styro board (an inch or so to a side, size to taste). You want a really sharp blade here, as a dull one will rip up the styro...I use an extra long 'exacto' blade.
  2. With the rough shape ready, start taking pieces off the edges and corners, shaping the cube until you think it looks like a boulder.
  3. Now you have some choices... You can either glue the 'rock' to a base, or use it without a base, placing it right on the table (I've done both). Either way, you will want to paint it, usually some shade of grey. Be careful here, many paints react badly to styrofoam, especially spraypaint - you might want to test on some scraps first.
  4. After painting, you might want to snazz the model up a bit with some landscape items... licken or frock around the base, or some simulated moss on the top and sides (heck, you could even shove a sword in it for laughs).
  5. Variations to consider: this method also works well for crystaline formations... a crytal forest really kicks home the sci-fi feel (and is a refreshing change from dull old trees). Crystal shoots should be long and thin, and can be painted virtually any color.
Submitted by Phil Bowen (bowen@chuma.cas.usf.edu)

BARK MULCH ROCKS
Scale Any
Difficulty Easy
Materials
  • bark mulch
  • hot glue
  • paint
Try using bark mulch for gardens, as rocks. Use a hot glue gun to glue them together, paint greyish colors, and drybrush. You can make enough rocks for ten tables for $5.00 - $10.00.

Submitted by Win B. (winb@aol.com)


Last Updates
24 December 1996restored
Comments or corrections?