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The following article is a step-by-step process of how to
make a pile of stones on a low sloping hill. This piece of
terrain can be built by anyone with the proper materials and
a few common tools.
If you are strapped for time, don't have the materials, or
are terrified by the prospect of having to use even the simplest
hand tools, you can simulate a pile of stones using things
around the house. Cassette tapes (remember them?), small boxes
and cans, knickknacks, or even real rocks can be used for
your gaming table. Don't limit your gaming experiences just
because you don't have the "proper" scenery. Play
games; have fun!
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• Pink Insulation Foam (1" thick
and 2" thick)
• Gravel (variety of sizes)
• Sand
• Flock
• Black Paint - lots!
• GW Mega Paint Set
• Thick blade utility knife
• Wood Glue
• Sandpaper - various
• Paintbrushes - various
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The first thing you need to do is look through your scrap
box for suitable pieces of pink insulation foam. You needed
2 small pieces of 1" thick foam and a small 2" thick
piece for rocks. A larger 1" thick piece for the grassy
base that the rocks sit on is also needed. |
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Extending the thick utility blade to its utmost, peel the
small pieces of foam like potatoes. Cutting away from yourself,
trim the sharp edges and then round out the tops and bottoms.
After rounding out the stones, cut the bottom of the 2"
thick stone so that it will rest on the base on an angle against
another rock. |
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Here we see the finished stones. Very potato-like in shape...
a little bit of sandpaper on the rough parts will likely be
required. If you want something smoother then go to town with
the sandpaper. If you're feeling confident and you like using
knives, you can cut some grooves, designs or cracks into your
stones. |
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Base time! Draw your hill/base outline on a 2'
by 2' sheet of 1" thick foam. Brace the insulation on a
surface you don't mind scarring (do NOT do this on your mother's
kitchen linoleum!) and carefully attempt to cut it on an angle
to reduce the work in the next step. |
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Cutting the edge of the hill at an extreme angle
will allow your miniatures to actually move onto and sit on
the piece of sloping scenery! Cut around the edge 3-4 times
to get the incline as gradual as you can. |
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Since few lawns have edges, a generous amount
of sanding is now required. As you will be adding sand and flock
to the base later, a rough piece of sandpaper is good. You can
even out bumpy spots too. |
Advanced Step: If you are worried about damaging the
edge of your hill through extensive use, cut a piece of thin hardboard
in the shape of the base to mount the entire piece on. This requires
additional tools and materials, but prevents you from having to
make another rocky hill when this one dies.
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After applying generous amounts of wood glue to the bottoms
of the stones, arrange them on the base to your liking. Thick
globs of wood glue around the pieces of foam allow large pieces
of gravel to be added. |
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Once this dries, repeat Step 7 two or three times using watered
down wood glue and smaller and smaller stones. Finish by covering
the rest of the base with sand. |
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Use Black/Brown paint to coat your entire terrain piece. Very
Important! If you want to use spray-paint, you will need
to seal your entire project with watered down glue, paint, sand
or something so that the foam does not melt. This would not
be good! |
Once the black paint has dried, your scenery piece
should be sealed enough for you to begin painting it and applying
whatever texture
to it that you desire. See the following
article on various texture techniques for the details on how
to paint and flock your rocky hill.
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