Next, I applied a "stain" of Burnt Umber and another of Raw Sienna, each mixed with a large amount of water. These were applied one at a time with a soft-bristle brush. After enough drying time (overnight), I followed this with an India Ink mixture (1 teaspoon of ink with large amount of "90% rubbing alcohol"). This gives the rock its dark and gray color. Because it is very liquid, it runs into all the nooks and crannies. The final step is to dry-brush pure white over the edges of the rock. This final step really makes the rock look real.

The next photo shows a close-up of the loose rock found near the front of the layout. It is hard to believe that these are left-over pieces of plaster, stained and weathered as described above.

With the rocks painted, I started "planting" grass. Woodland Scenics "fine" ground foam was used for the initial layer of grass shown below. Several layers of other colors will follow to prevent the area from looking too monotone. The random shape of the cardboard strips method of scenery construction allows the rocky earth to show through. I used a soft-bristle brush to cover a section of "land" with a 50-50 mixture of matte Medium and water. I then sprinkled the ground foam over the area. Wherever it fell was just right for me. The more vertical parts of the "land" wind up with little or no ground foam and the rocky surfaces show through. I really like that effect.

That same principle is shown in the next photo. I find that this method can create dramatic scenes very quickly. The messier you are with the plaster, the better.

The cracks between the mosaic of rocks will be filled with coarser ground foam. The photo below shows a small section that I have already completed. This is time-consuming, but very relaxing work. At the top of the rock ridge, in the back of the photo, you can see different shades of ground foam applied. I did that throughout the area. That part of the ridge will eventually be filled with trees, or, at least, that is the plan right now.