By far the most inspiring crafting channel in my list. And definetely the funniest. Thank you for creating such high level content. Always always entertaining. Have a good weekend!!!
Not sure if you will see this comment, but wow. This is an amazing piece you made. Very inspiring. It looks so much more natural than cast or molded plastic/resin. I can picture an ancient culture hand chiseling the stone pillars, as they are not all exact and symmetrical. You did an amazing job on this! You should be proud of your work. And the “imperfections” you found, I believe they add a certain natural characteristic to the landscape. This is so inspiring! I am wanting to make a large map for my Warhammer40k Dark Angel army. I subscribed and will follow. Thank you for sharing this tutorial. You are an amazing artist, my friend!
For your texture on cardboard, you can make the texture far more easily and with a more consistent look by going to the dollar store and getting some of their cheap sand paper and putting a layer over the cardboard for the pillars. It cuts and glues quite well, and takes paint while giving a more consistent look in the end...as a side note, the larger sand paper option is actually something that works pretty well for a full desert wargaming board, my brother and I did one like that back when I was in Jr High for GorkaMorka with just a reinforced 4'x6' piece of plywood (using 2'x2' across the bottom to reinforce), then using sandpaper rolls from the business areas from the larger hardware stores to cover it, along with some wood glue and sand to help hide the seams. Then sprayed it black and started with a terra cotta red and worked up to a pale tan for it. Still have the table put away... Also, you may want to do a bit more to reinforce your layers because hot glue can get ripped if you end up using it in games like that. Something like toothpicks embedded between the layers is something you really want to consider because it adds other grip options.
Get some urethane-stain from a DIY store, or a hardware store. If you can locate a dark brown, or black color of urethane-stain, paint it on, with a throw-away brush (if oil-based). It will accumulate in the recesses, hardening into a nice thin coat of urethane. My preferred product is Minwax Polyshades Royal Walnut (dirty, dark brown) or Tudor (black wash). It is fast, easy, and effective. The oil-based versions will dissolve exposed foam, so be sure to cover it with paint, or other water-based sealant, first. Cheers!
If you use hot glue blobs to create the grass base on baking paper then add the tufts of grass onto them, I've found that they lift off very easily while the hot glue allows you some freedom of movement before it dries the grass in place. Liked your videos so far too.
Holy Crow, Bard, this is amazing!! I love your grass tuft idea and can't wait for that video. But this piece is just so amazing, man. I'm going to use a lot of the techniques from the Elven Temple build to make a big church for Warhammer terrain. Keep up your epic crafts!
I’m so happy your channel found its way into my list of people that inspire me. I’m so glad I have notifications on And was able to see this video. I’ll always watch your stuff and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next. Excellent video!
Ok, I’ve seen almost all of your videos and I really like them. I’m officially a fan now and as a fan, I challenge you. I, Sir Joseph, challenge you to create a sinister, terrifying terrain model for your game. A challenge to make, (drum roll) Menzoberranzen!! After all, a game without drow, mindflayers and dryders is like having a forest with no trees! You’ll get 10,000 exp for this build.
I think the roof shape doesn't really fit with the desert theme, unless it wasn't a desert when the cathedral was built and just became a desert later. Everything else amazing job dude!!!! Wow
Woooow i Love this diorama 😍 here for some inspo as I'm gonna try and make my Bayek figurine from Assassin's creed s part of a dessert themed diorama. Thank you so much for this! ❤️
That desert terrain and temple area looks awesome, Mr. Bard. I still think you're being too hard on yourself regarding the temple. I think the temple looks very cool, too. When you zoom the camera in or look at a building up close, you might be able to find "imperfections" if you're looking for them, but I don't think that perfection is as important as fun, though. Your stuff ALWAYS has a fun look to it. I hope you find more projects that you enjoy making. I suspect that you wouldn't be as critical of your stuff if you started having fun making them again. Great job and thanks for sharing it with us.
Good Vid, man. Glad you took my advice & made some textured paint. The tufts ar excellent Never be afraid to pin your structures, rocks & Pillars - some cocktail sticks will do the trick or paperclips. It'll strengthen the bond. As for sand flocking, you know you can just use the sand directly? No need to paint it at all & you'll get some really fine textures - best way is to acquire an entire sack on the cheap, is to order, 'Play pit sand' It'll only cost you a few bucks but it'll be perfectly fine (as opposed to coarse sand). Leave it out to dry (or pop in the oven if you're impatient) & it's ready for flocking. Also, if you're looking to protect your tufts then hairspray will do the trick & you can protect the terrain/flock with a nice coat of PVA
Being that it is in the desert, and I have not done one of these yet, what about a “copper” color? Given that the reflection of the desert sand may have a “golden” reflection. Possibly copper near the bases and a silverish color as you move up? I use Citadel paints and there is a wide variety of silver, gold, and copper hues. Thoughts?
The desert terrain is really fantastic. I can already imagine some nice campaigns you could play there. 14:22 That looks like my cat's hairballs 14:20 😂
For getting in between higher terrain areas, would a modified potato peeler help? Something that can be bent into a D shape or made into sharper angles to scrape out foam. I think it would make for some great cutting sounds as well. Keep up the amazing videos!
I'm curious what you do about movement. For example, much of the terrain that is "mass" produced and can be bought has bits of detail on it to mark a 1-inch grid. I see other builds that have floor tiles, but ones like this one don't seem to have a grid outside of the temple. Do you ever mark an obvious, or not-so-obvious grid on some of these kinds of builds? Do you feel it takes away from the scene too much? To me, a diorama feels like it's just meant to look nice and not play with though, so that might be the point?
I'm loving this video, excellent little showcase of desert terrain. Thanks so much for the tip on mixing paint and baking soda to create a sort of rough texturable plaster! That's going to come in VERY handy when I start converting molded fiber packaging inserts into adobe buildings for my own Dark Sun and Star Wars themed craft projects! I thought I was going to have to go through SO many cans of Spackle. (P.S. there's a project idea for you. No charge.)
Love this video! Those tufts are an awesome idea. Have you thought of using spray can or dipping into a home made wash/pva glue mix for colouring them?
First, my tuft process. Second, where to get some very cheap and effective fibers for tufts. The Process: 1) Get some parchment paper, some tweezers, your fibers, a hot glue gun and glue. 2) Cut your fibers to a variety of different lengths so the tuft will look more natural, Grab a tuft's worth of fibers with the tweezers, 3) Put a small dot of hot glue on the parchment paper, and stick the fibers into it. Hold for 2-3 secs until the fibers stay upright when released. Tap the top of the tuft gently, to spread the fibers out up top. Trim any stray hairs that look funny/stand out. 4) Spray paint or airbrush the tufts any shade you would like. 5) Attach the tufts to your boards/bases by placing a small, very hot dot of hot glue, and press your tuft down into this dot immediately. The heat from the glue will re-melt the tuft glue, and blend it in seamlessly. Cheap and Effective Fiber Sources: - The bristles of old paint brushes. They take paint just like they were designed to do so. - Unwound twine in its many forms. Plumbers twine gives you a different fiber size and texture than hemp twine or kitchen twine. - Shoe polishing/buffing brushes. Sold at most dollar stores. These brushes are designed to paint with polish, so they take paint very easily. The fibers are packed very densely, so they are easiest to remove with many small cuts rather than a few big ones. - Buy some fake fur from the craft store, and shave it off with an electric razor. Most fabric/craft stores will sell you fake fur in very small sizes. I use an airbrush or spray paint for this fur, rather than a brush. You might be able to paint it using a wash in a spray bottle, but I have never attempted this.
Amazing! Honestly I was going to do a dune terrain for my next campaign and didn’t know how to do it, boom 💥 you made this video!!! Like you read my mind! Thank you 🙏 love it can’t wait to make mine!!! Keep it up love your stuff!!!!!
Really really awesome work .... great build Maybe it's time for a new "Crafting a Miniature Pyramid for D&D" video, but this time made out of cardboard and with bakingpowder texture ... Please !! .... please !! ...I beg you ... please make more Desert terrain vids ;-)))) Many thanks for showing and please keep up the good work.
It's interesting (and a little frustrating) how much difference there seems to be with xps foam. I have just recently (after long time searching) discovered a place to purchase xps locally, but it seems to be a lot denser than what I see you and Jeremy from Black Magic Craft using. There is no way I can cut through large chunks of it the way you do in the beginning of the video - and yes, my knives are very sharp :D My XPS is blue from a company called Ravago. Anyway, super nice build man!
You need to ask your local store where you purchased your XPS for what purposes it is used. Your XPS could've been designed to resist heavy objects (either for flooring or roofs). I think Lukas used XPS foam that is meant for the walls
Ravago did buy up Dow's European XPS business, so you are probably getting the same sort of Dow Blueboard insulation we get in the US and Canada. If you use 1-inch (aka 25mm) thick sheets of Dow XPS foam you should be able to cut through that easier (although I would still suggest a hotwire cutter). Hot Wire Foam Factory sells a Spray-on Foam Glue and Foam Fusion that are able to be cut with a hotwire cutter after they have set, something that PVA and to a lesser extent hot glue prove problematic with.
@@tiny-grimes that would make sense, that the xps I use is meant for heavier loads. It surely does seem more sturdy than what is shown in Lukas' vids :-)
@@MacAttack001 The foam I've purchased for now is quite thick - almost 2 inches. I'll definately buy some thinner pieces soon. And as for the hot-wire table, I ordered one yesterday. Hobbyknives simply didn't work well enough. Thanks for the shared tips, especially with the glue - that will come in handy! :-)
Yes, this was my plan but I could not make the pillars in time. It would be best to sink them into the sand paste. I tried to cover the worst gaps with the tufts so it's quite good :)
Looks great ! You should just make some sort of altar or runes on the ground for the temple-less version ! :) PS: Anyway in Switzerland who know where to find some XPS foam ? Done most of the regular DIY shops around with no success :(
the user HeavilyBearded on reddit found a nice technique to make sand dunes on his tallarn bases, he used a comb and combed the texture on the base. Created a very good sand dune look! Would be interesing to use it on a larger piece of terrain like this one :)
Supremely entertaining.
11:04 Absolutely savage
i love the way you say “good”
that is good :)
Why is this comment on all of his videos? Lol
@@lmnopopsicle because it’s good
Dude same
6:55 I see you are a fan of Bob Ross
"There are no mistakes, just happy accidents"
Baking soda in paint is one of the best ways to get a scale-appropriate earth texture. Nice work!
By far the most inspiring crafting channel in my list. And definetely the funniest. Thank you for creating such high level content. Always always entertaining. Have a good weekend!!!
Not sure if you will see this comment, but wow. This is an amazing piece you made. Very inspiring. It looks so much more natural than cast or molded plastic/resin. I can picture an ancient culture hand chiseling the stone pillars, as they are not all exact and symmetrical. You did an amazing job on this! You should be proud of your work. And the “imperfections” you found, I believe they add a certain natural characteristic to the landscape. This is so inspiring! I am wanting to make a large map for my Warhammer40k Dark Angel army. I subscribed and will follow. Thank you for sharing this tutorial. You are an amazing artist, my friend!
For your texture on cardboard, you can make the texture far more easily and with a more consistent look by going to the dollar store and getting some of their cheap sand paper and putting a layer over the cardboard for the pillars. It cuts and glues quite well, and takes paint while giving a more consistent look in the end...as a side note, the larger sand paper option is actually something that works pretty well for a full desert wargaming board, my brother and I did one like that back when I was in Jr High for GorkaMorka with just a reinforced 4'x6' piece of plywood (using 2'x2' across the bottom to reinforce), then using sandpaper rolls from the business areas from the larger hardware stores to cover it, along with some wood glue and sand to help hide the seams. Then sprayed it black and started with a terra cotta red and worked up to a pale tan for it. Still have the table put away...
Also, you may want to do a bit more to reinforce your layers because hot glue can get ripped if you end up using it in games like that. Something like toothpicks embedded between the layers is something you really want to consider because it adds other grip options.
I LOVE this sand dunes! How they are high enough to be used as proper cover, nice job!
Absolutely agree on the minerals!
Get some urethane-stain from a DIY store, or a hardware store. If you can locate a dark brown, or black color of urethane-stain, paint it on, with a throw-away brush (if oil-based). It will accumulate in the recesses, hardening into a nice thin coat of urethane. My preferred product is Minwax Polyshades Royal Walnut (dirty, dark brown) or Tudor (black wash). It is fast, easy, and effective. The oil-based versions will dissolve exposed foam, so be sure to cover it with paint, or other water-based sealant, first. Cheers!
Sand texture looks nice next to the sandstone
Thanks!
If you use hot glue blobs to create the grass base on baking paper then add the tufts of grass onto them, I've found that they lift off very easily while the hot glue allows you some freedom of movement before it dries the grass in place. Liked your videos so far too.
Holy Crow, Bard, this is amazing!! I love your grass tuft idea and can't wait for that video. But this piece is just so amazing, man. I'm going to use a lot of the techniques from the Elven Temple build to make a big church for Warhammer terrain.
Keep up your epic crafts!
I love the pillars, they give a certain mysticism to the build!
I’m so happy your channel found its way into my list of people that inspire me. I’m so glad I have notifications on And was able to see this video. I’ll always watch your stuff and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next. Excellent video!
Great video. You continue to motivate us to keep crafting
That you don’t think these builds through simply makes them more fantastic. 👍🏻👍🏻
I like your videos and really love your "can do it" spirit! You are a one of a kind.
Awesome job man, you've studied the blade well
Glad to hear someone mentioning expanding foam! It seems a lot of makers don't like to use it but I've always liked it.
Ok, I’ve seen almost all of your videos and I really like them.
I’m officially a fan now and as a fan, I challenge you.
I, Sir Joseph, challenge you to create a sinister, terrifying terrain model for your game.
A challenge to make, (drum roll)
Menzoberranzen!!
After all, a game without drow, mindflayers and dryders is like having a forest with no trees!
You’ll get 10,000 exp for this build.
City of Spiders eh? I would definitely find use to something like that, perhaps I'll come up with something. Thanks for the suggestion.
I think the roof shape doesn't really fit with the desert theme, unless it wasn't a desert when the cathedral was built and just became a desert later. Everything else amazing job dude!!!! Wow
Woooow i Love this diorama 😍 here for some inspo as I'm gonna try and make my Bayek figurine from Assassin's creed s part of a dessert themed diorama. Thank you so much for this! ❤️
Wow wow wow! Brilliant!
That desert terrain and temple area looks awesome, Mr. Bard. I still think you're being too hard on yourself regarding the temple. I think the temple looks very cool, too. When you zoom the camera in or look at a building up close, you might be able to find "imperfections" if you're looking for them, but I don't think that perfection is as important as fun, though. Your stuff ALWAYS has a fun look to it. I hope you find more projects that you enjoy making. I suspect that you wouldn't be as critical of your stuff if you started having fun making them again. Great job and thanks for sharing it with us.
Good Vid, man. Glad you took my advice & made some textured paint. The tufts ar excellent
Never be afraid to pin your structures, rocks & Pillars - some cocktail sticks will do the trick or paperclips. It'll strengthen the bond.
As for sand flocking, you know you can just use the sand directly? No need to paint it at all & you'll get some really fine textures - best way is to acquire an entire sack on the cheap, is to order, 'Play pit sand' It'll only cost you a few bucks but it'll be perfectly fine (as opposed to coarse sand). Leave it out to dry (or pop in the oven if you're impatient) & it's ready for flocking.
Also, if you're looking to protect your tufts then hairspray will do the trick & you can protect the terrain/flock with a nice coat of PVA
This was amazing, I would recommend trying to use a silver paint when you highlight gold
Being that it is in the desert, and I have not done one of these yet, what about a “copper” color? Given that the reflection of the desert sand may have a “golden” reflection. Possibly copper near the bases and a silverish color as you move up? I use Citadel paints and there is a wide variety of silver, gold, and copper hues. Thoughts?
This looks great and I love the home made grass
Smashed the like button, like always.
Keep up! We all love your videos
The desert terrain is really fantastic. I can already imagine some nice campaigns you could play there.
14:22 That looks like my cat's hairballs 14:20 😂
BTW, use a fan (high setting) on the floor to direct foan chips into a corner.
Love your craft bard!
Hope you found a good place to store this awesome piece
nice diorama👍
Man you are improving a lot every video, keep it up!
It is a very easy diorama, but i think it s the best of yours
For getting in between higher terrain areas, would a modified potato peeler help? Something that can be bent into a D shape or made into sharper angles to scrape out foam. I think it would make for some great cutting sounds as well. Keep up the amazing videos!
I love the result
Maybe your best work yet! Really good video
man, I just LOVE this idea of yours that is the sand texture paste, it's incredibly cheap and it gives the diorama an incredible effect.
Epic and quite simple, awesome!
The stones look amazing! Some of the best - if not the best - I've ever seen!
Good job dude. Looks great.
I'm thirsty just looking at that build - desert, my favourite. Maybe just the inspiration I need once I stop this endless phase mini painting!,
The tufts are amazing !!! Ill have to do it for sure !
Looks awesome I know I really know you did a whole lotta work and you are appreciated. A
You continue to put out some of the best craft projects out there. Keep up the fantastic work and thanks for all the ideas.
This is so cool, I would really love to play this place in my campaign.
Wow! That diorama looks great! I really like the sand texture. Thanks for sharing your process.
awsome, simple and beautyfull as always - so inspiring!
Another inspired and gorgeous work...Relaisitc and splendid terrain!👍👍
More! I need more! New video NOW!
Wait 5 hours :)
ROFL! I can so relate to cleaning all the foam bits off the floor!!
Big fan of your approach, great work!
Well done my friend. I will use these grass tufts!
Your awesome. Love your style.
Messy???? That temple was magnificent!
Looking forward to grass tufts 101 episode👍😜❤️
I'm curious what you do about movement. For example, much of the terrain that is "mass" produced and can be bought has bits of detail on it to mark a 1-inch grid. I see other builds that have floor tiles, but ones like this one don't seem to have a grid outside of the temple. Do you ever mark an obvious, or not-so-obvious grid on some of these kinds of builds? Do you feel it takes away from the scene too much?
To me, a diorama feels like it's just meant to look nice and not play with though, so that might be the point?
I have always used a ruler for measuring movement and attack ranges.
I like how you are experimental in your crafts, keep with the good work, man!
Another solid video! Keep them coming! Thanks again for sharing your work and techniques.
I'm loving this video, excellent little showcase of desert terrain.
Thanks so much for the tip on mixing paint and baking soda to create a sort of rough texturable plaster! That's going to come in VERY handy when I start converting molded fiber packaging inserts into adobe buildings for my own Dark Sun and Star Wars themed craft projects! I thought I was going to have to go through SO many cans of Spackle.
(P.S. there's a project idea for you. No charge.)
Love this video! Those tufts are an awesome idea.
Have you thought of using spray can or dipping into a home made wash/pva glue mix for colouring them?
I have just painted with home made washes
great video as always !
You could put sawdust or dust from gravel in the sand paste if you have it.
First, my tuft process. Second, where to get some very cheap and effective fibers for tufts.
The Process:
1) Get some parchment paper, some tweezers, your fibers, a hot glue gun and glue.
2) Cut your fibers to a variety of different lengths so the tuft will look more natural, Grab a tuft's worth of fibers with the tweezers,
3) Put a small dot of hot glue on the parchment paper, and stick the fibers into it. Hold for 2-3 secs until the fibers stay upright when released. Tap the top of the tuft gently, to spread the fibers out up top. Trim any stray hairs that look funny/stand out.
4) Spray paint or airbrush the tufts any shade you would like.
5) Attach the tufts to your boards/bases by placing a small, very hot dot of hot glue, and press your tuft down into this dot immediately. The heat from the glue will re-melt the tuft glue, and blend it in seamlessly.
Cheap and Effective Fiber Sources:
- The bristles of old paint brushes. They take paint just like they were designed to do so.
- Unwound twine in its many forms. Plumbers twine gives you a different fiber size and texture than hemp twine or kitchen twine.
- Shoe polishing/buffing brushes. Sold at most dollar stores. These brushes are designed to paint with polish, so they take paint very easily. The fibers are packed very densely, so they are easiest to remove with many small cuts rather than a few big ones.
- Buy some fake fur from the craft store, and shave it off with an electric razor. Most fabric/craft stores will sell you fake fur in very small sizes. I use an airbrush or spray paint for this fur, rather than a brush. You might be able to paint it using a wash in a spray bottle, but I have never attempted this.
Wow! Another great job! Keep it up, Please!
Amazing! Honestly I was going to do a dune terrain for my next campaign and didn’t know how to do it, boom 💥 you made this video!!! Like you read my mind! Thank you 🙏 love it can’t wait to make mine!!! Keep it up love your stuff!!!!!
This video is awesome
Tip: Dip the pillars in baking soda and softly tap them on the edge, this is to keep your table clean and not waste materials
Really really awesome work .... great build
Maybe it's time for a new "Crafting a Miniature Pyramid for D&D" video, but this time made out of cardboard and with bakingpowder texture ...
Please !! .... please !! ...I beg you ... please make more Desert terrain vids ;-))))
Many thanks for showing and please keep up the good work.
I love your videos, they're always good and interesting. And your editing is great. Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic!
That is awesome, man!!!
We need some terrain for fireground :) for elementals and fenix :)
make cardboard pillars with toillet paper covered with PVA glue and wrapped it loosely around pillars. you will be surprised with results! :)
nice like always! you should have put just a few floaking around the pillars and rocks would have been perfet!
is there a recipe for the dessert texture paste? how much of each thing?
Greetings from Germany! Nice content! The diorama looks awesome!
PS: take care and stay safe from Corona!
Is nobody gonna talk about how he was painting on his couch
Awesome build, and amazing content
there where black guard of nagorth there and some tome kings too
if you want better tufts try inks and dyes or airbrush them
looking good fam RAWR XD
You are vert exceptionnel
I hope the use of black wash doesn't get me censured
Well, a white wash is the REALLY problematic one
please make a video on nine hells terrian!
@@jagelsdorf1385 I disagree. They are both just as problematic.
I laughed out loud at that joke.
It's fun because it's unexpected! I appreciated it.
How could you say something so controversial yet so brave?
It's interesting (and a little frustrating) how much difference there seems to be with xps foam. I have just recently (after long time searching) discovered a place to purchase xps locally, but it seems to be a lot denser than what I see you and Jeremy from Black Magic Craft using. There is no way I can cut through large chunks of it the way you do in the beginning of the video - and yes, my knives are very sharp :D My XPS is blue from a company called Ravago.
Anyway, super nice build man!
You need to ask your local store where you purchased your XPS for what purposes it is used. Your XPS could've been designed to resist heavy objects (either for flooring or roofs). I think Lukas used XPS foam that is meant for the walls
Ravago did buy up Dow's European XPS business, so you are probably getting the same sort of Dow Blueboard insulation we get in the US and Canada. If you use 1-inch (aka 25mm) thick sheets of Dow XPS foam you should be able to cut through that easier (although I would still suggest a hotwire cutter). Hot Wire Foam Factory sells a Spray-on Foam Glue and Foam Fusion that are able to be cut with a hotwire cutter after they have set, something that PVA and to a lesser extent hot glue prove problematic with.
@@tiny-grimes that would make sense, that the xps I use is meant for heavier loads. It surely does seem more sturdy than what is shown in Lukas' vids :-)
@@MacAttack001 The foam I've purchased for now is quite thick - almost 2 inches. I'll definately buy some thinner pieces soon. And as for the hot-wire table, I ordered one yesterday. Hobbyknives simply didn't work well enough. Thanks for the shared tips, especially with the glue - that will come in handy! :-)
Those tufts were not peasant lvl, I thought they looked pretty good maybe needed some darker wash at the base. love the videos!
11:05 wild
awesome
Those pillars, maybe them better look when their connection with ground hasn't visible gaps. Could you partially sink them into "sand"?
Yes, this was my plan but I could not make the pillars in time. It would be best to sink them into the sand paste. I tried to cover the worst gaps with the tufts so it's quite good :)
Looks great ! You should just make some sort of altar or runes on the ground for the temple-less version ! :)
PS: Anyway in Switzerland who know where to find some XPS foam ? Done most of the regular DIY shops around with no success :(
Also, would one of those “hot knives” work on this foam as well?
i make black/dark desert so this is kinda interesting
the user HeavilyBearded on reddit found a nice technique to make sand dunes on his tallarn bases, he used a comb and combed the texture on the base. Created a very good sand dune look! Would be interesing to use it on a larger piece of terrain like this one :)
"Press like to agree" Like has been pressed.
CuSO4 ("sulfato de cobre" in portuguese) is blue like the paint on the rocks, so you can say is it.
May also have some history about who lives there use the copper to make something or to sell to other nations
Cat says. Puuuurrfect :-)
Cat doesn't talk to Luke anymore. He used kitty box for his elven temple
YEEES FOAM!!