Gravel, sand and stones
Sand, Gravel & Stones – The Foundation of Realistic Terrain
Sand, gravel and stones are essential materials for creating miniature bases, dioramas and gaming terrain. They make it easy to create dusty ground, desert surfaces, rocky paths, gravel, rubble or rugged rocky landscapes.
The most natural results are achieved by combining several different particle sizes. Fine sand creates the base layer, coarser gravel adds texture, and larger stones provide distinctive details and natural variations in height.
Ideal for fine soil, deserts, beaches, dusty roads and creating the basic texture of a miniature base.
Creates more pronounced texture for rocky paths, embankments, rubble, areas around buildings and natural terrain.
Use them as prominent rock fragments or dominant terrain features. They look best when combined with smaller gravel and sand.
Even a small amount of sand and stones can quickly create an interesting surface and visually connect your miniature with its environment.
For larger scenes, combine different particle sizes and distribute them irregularly around paths, rocks, ruins and other landscape features.
Finish the rocky surface with static grass, tufts, moss or bushes to create a natural transition between stones and vegetation.
Apply PVA glue to the surface and start with the larger stones. Add coarser gravel around them, then fill the remaining gaps with fine sand or other fine terrain material. Once dry, you can prime and paint the entire surface or leave the material in its natural colour. For more realistic terrain, avoid using only one size of stone – a mixture of fine, medium and larger particles creates a much more natural appearance.
