Mountains of Majesty

Chris takes us step by step through a process of building realistic mountains for the layout.

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• cardboard for base
• styrofoam for mountain core structure
• elmers glue or liquid nails to bond layers of styrofoam and to solidify edges of mountains at end of project
• hydrocal plaster or plaster of paris to create finished rock surfaces (local medical supply store or craft or hardware store)
• razorblade knife to carve rock
• container with fresh water (old 2 litre coke bottle)
• large mixing bowl
• spoon (about tablespoon size)
• newspaper to put mountain on to protect floor or table from plaster and carving mess
• scissors to cut cardbaord base (can use razorblade knife)

Step 2-Lay down cardboard base.

Step 3-Build up layers of styrofoam to make the mountain core.

• Leave plenty of room, at least 1" for plaster to extend to edge of base.
• For slopes strofoam edges should be farther apart.
• For cut rock areas styrofoam edges should be closer together

Score faces of styrofoam. Glue layers of styrofoam to each other and to base. Let glue dry some over night. (Some may take longer to dry fully because little air can reach center of styrofoam. Don't worry about this if the structure remains somewhat stable)

Once the plaster reaches a creamy consistency, just starting to set, start spooning plaster onto the top of the styrofoam core. Work quickly. These areas will be smooth and represent non rocky areas for grass.

Once the plaster sets further, generously clump it, blob it and leave large ridges and thick clumps 1/2" to 1" thick on areas where rocks are to be carved out. Don,t skimp on the plaster and don't try to cover the whole montian with one batch. Add a little water to plaster mix if it hardens too fast. Jump into this! Don't worry about making mistakes. You can add more plaster if you need to, or cut it away later. Have fun being reckless and sloppy with the plaster. The bumpier and blobbier the better.

Step 6-As plaster begins to set, carve rock shapes.

• Carve several deep grooves with a razor knife, but not too close to one another.

• Let plaster set a little more. Cut more grooves but not as deep as original grooves.

• Scrape surface with knife into grooves and over rock jut outs to give more texture and definition.

• Identify blobs and bumps of plaster that stick out.
• Cut lines and grooves and scrape around edges of bumps for definition.
• Scrape surface of bumps to give texture to rocks. Accentuate indents in surface.

Don't worry about being carefull. Cut scratch and scrape the plaster.

Chop down to create jagged edges on face of rocks with razor knife.

If it doesn't look right the first time, try again. The variations of how the plaster sets and how it can be carved are limitless. Have fun.

After you're satisfied with the results you can apply the finishing touches.  The smooth areas can be covered with ground foam for grass and lichen for shrubs.  The cut rock areas can be painted with various shades of earth colors.  The choice depends on the area are and season you're modeling.