How to Make Dirt and Chalk a Permanent Terrain Model

Dirt and Sand

• 1

  Choose dirt appropriate to your purpose. Digging dirt in your backyard won't work; it will clump and get too wet to work with. Fine clay dirt, such as that used on baseball diamonds, is effective for basic dirt effects, and lightweight vermiculite is perfect for decorating the sides of hills and mountains.

• 2

  Paint the area you wish to cover with dirt using paint of roughly the same color. Allow to dry.

• 3

  Grind the dirt with your hands to break up any clumps. If necessary, bake at a low temperature in the oven to remove excess moisture.

• 4

  Spray the area with a clear adhesive, such as hairspray. You can brush on common white glue, such as Elmer's, very lightly, but dilute it first to prevent large pools from forming.

• 5

  Sprinkle the dirt over the adhesive and press lightly with a paper towel to be sure it sticks, using a sieve or flour sifter. Add extra sand over areas with thicker glue to cover it completely.

Applying Chalk

• 6

  Choose the appropriate color of chalk, one that is slightly brighter or darker than the color you desire, as it will fade when sealed.

• 7

  Grind the chalk with a knife or box cutter for regular artist's pastel chalk but use sandpaper for oil pastel chalk.

• 8

  Apply a light coat to your terrain with a hog-bristle brush at first, then add more if necessary. Items far in the background may require more chalk than those in the foreground.

• 9

  Spray the chalk with a clear semi-gloss lacquer, being careful to hold the can far enough away that the spray won't scatter the chalk. Allow to dry and add a second coat.