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Painting Wargaming Hills Quickly and Easily for Terrain

    Last week I showed how I made a set of hill terrain that fits into a single box for easy storage.  But, building terrain is only half the job; it still needs to be painted! So, here’s my technique on painting wargaming hills.

    I picked up some new paints to use on terrain, so I painted up a single hill as a test model before doing the whole set.

    Texturizing

    The first step to painting wargaming hills is to add a textured base to the hill.  I used a mixture of 4 parts drywall joint compound to one part random left over paint, and added a bit of beach sand for extra texture.

    The paint I used looked like a dark brown, but after I mixed it with the joint compound it was a bit purple.  No big deal as I am going to paint over it.

    I mix paint with the joint compound, so it won’t be as chalky when it dries.  It is a lot like painting with mud, so I use a cheap plastic bristled brush that can take a beating.  I put on one coat and allowed it to dry overnight before adding a second coat.

    Painting Hills - Texture

    Painting the Hill

    After letting the second coat dry, I used an airbrush to do the rest of the painting.

    For paints I am using Behr paint samples from Home Depot.  These come in a huge variety of standard colors, and can even be custom mixed for much less per ounce than model paints.  I happened to catch these on sale for $2 per jar, so I picked up a few different colors.  If you thin them properly they work well through an airbrush too.  The first layer is Burley Wood.

    Painting Hills - Base Coat

    Next I used a 50/50 mix of Burley Wood and Cathedral Grey to add some highlights.

    Painting Hills - Highlights
    Then straight Cathedral Grey as a final highlight.

    Painting Hills - More Highlights

    Then I added some more Burley Wood from the bottom to strengthen the shadows a bit.  I also darkened the top where the grass will go.

    Painting Hills - Shading

    Flocking

    I want these to be grassy on the top so I finish them off with some flock.

    I put on a layer of thinned Modge Podge glue, and add clumps of static grass here and there.

    Painting Hills - Static Grass

    Immediately after putting on the static grass I fill in the rest with some green flock.

    Painting Wargaming Hills - Flock

    Wargaming Hills Done

    And there you have it!  It’s fairly simple, but I’m happy with the final result.  Now I just need to repeat the process with the rest of the wargaming hills…

    Also, I have a tutorial on cheap DIY wargaming table that these would look great on. I also have a tutorial on making DIY barbed wire for wargaming terrain, as well as cheap and easy tank traps and miniature trees.

    That’s my approach to painting hills.  It’s simple but I think it’s effective, what do you think?  Do you have a method you prefer?

    Wargaming Terrain & Scenery Tutorials

    Tutorials to help you create a great wargaming table.

    Kamui

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    7 Comments
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    Thor
    Admin
    9 years ago

    Nice job.

    I was thinking at the start of this that an airbrush would be great for doing hills and sure enough it’s what you did.

    greggles
    9 years ago

    Nice terrain tutorials! It’s cool to see them come together!

    Sprech India
    8 years ago

    Looks just likes real one.

    Thor
    Admin
    8 years ago
    Reply to  Sprech India

    They are pretty convincing.