Creating amazingly realistic miniature rocks easy using a no-cost material - Detailed tutorial

This tutorial presents an amazingly simple and effective way to create super realistic miniature rocks from a no-cost material. The video gives you a logic and easy-to-follow guide covering all steps from collecting the material to final result.

Credits to Mr: Erich S from New York, US for his contribution with the idea and for supporting the channel being a Patron.

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/ Marklinofsweden

[daveygivens]

I've learned more in two Marklin videos than hours of watching others. Wow.

[legodac]

I really like how you explain details most people don't, like the reason behind adding a little alcohol to improve flow. Great video, thanks so much

[colossalbigfoot]

I’ve used bark for a while cause it replicates shale in my area. You should put in oven though to kill any bugs that might be inside hiding. These are the best looking rocks imo.

[MKempICI]

Another informative, excellent video. Thank you, sir!
For everybody at home: Just make sure to sterilize any bark/other materials that you grab from the forest before you use them. Add a drops or two of vinegar to your gypsum/plaster of Paris and it will prevent mold/fungus from growing.

[lucyjinks]

Really good at explaining that you my 12 year old starting his layout journey in two weeks

[HumancityJunction]

Between the TP for water and the bark for rock faces, you have introduced us to some innovative ideas.

[gorkamorka]

You can probably blend the plaster and the rocks even more by using a wirebrush running in the direction of the "sediment layers".
The finished product looks great.

[Tenju]

I'll steal it from my own garden 😁 It looks awesome

[swiv]

You sir are a true artist!..Those look so incredibly real. Besides running trains, half the fun is the creation of the world it will run within.

[serchdietrich]

Beautiful, simple, cheap. I'm doing my first diorama and at first I felt overwhelmed by the fancy materials needed. I got a Noch mold and the rocks are beautiful but way too heavy. Your ideas are a great help. So thank you.

[uptownphotography]

I am going on a Bark search!...(I am in New Jersey, 1 hour south from NYC, so there should be plenty around!)...

Although, (ironically), I did just literally get 7 sheets of foam insulation board today for free and I am anxious to try using carving foam for rock outcroppings as well. I usually used plaster, so looking forward to new methods for a large mountain HO railroad.
I always enjoy your videos. Well done.
Philip
Jersey Shore Area

[bageorge]

Thank you. My son makes dioramas using rocks. This will help him make his pieces much lighter.

[monmixer]

Very very nice. I was impressed with that white coring to show the highlights and the black wash. It looked like the hills around here before the highlights and black.

[michaeldean]

Great video, Mark. I discovered this method myself over 40 years ago. I found a few loose chucks of bark in the woods, while out bow-hunting one fall day, and thought it could look like the rock found in my area, when painted and weathered. I took them home, tried it on my N-scale layout, and was quite impressed with the results. And, like you mentioned, the cost could not be beat.

[paulsngaugechannel]

Excellent video and again good value for saving money . As others have mentioned, need to make sure that the bark is 🐜 🐛 🐞 free and any safe cleaning method, but Don’t put the bark into a microwave, it explodes and also sets fire to the bark internally- like spontaneous combustion. But great stuff. I find leaving the bark outside on a sheet of newspaper, wash over with isopropyl, on a warm day any bugs 🐜 will soon vacate.
Love the techniques for weathering, always learn more every video. Thanks for sharing Martin. Super.

[giancarlopaolini]

I actually discovered that option some three years ago just by watching closely one of my favourite centennial willows in my garden ...and I started using it with my greatest satisfaction. A good idea indeed.

[lindaoffenbach]

Brilliant. In building up our lay out we are lucky living near a forest. You have reminded us earlier of the notion that many materials for scenery can actually be found in nature, and we’ve never forgotten about that advice. It does work a treat. We have gathered plenty of small rocks, rocky scatter materials and woods. To avoid decay of woods, we do apply a good varnish, and they seem to hold pretty well. Excellent content here. Cherio and ciao.

[dtechnik]

Just be carefull with bark. If it is too fresh, you want to put it in the oven first. Otherwise there are microorganisms or even worms still living in it that will slowly destroy your model.

[carmillakarnstein]

Here, in Brazil, we don't have acesss to many materials and we are forced to always use creativity and I ended up getting to know this technique some time ago! But this tip is very important and easy to apply. I like to mix white glue and acrylic paint with plaster to make it stronger. Great video! Thanks a lot!

[skrill-sophiaxd]

I love the simple you do thing and the beautiful resurt you chow.