How to: Make Sandbags

Hi everyone!

Hope that Thursday found you all well.

After a public outcry, and a request from a fellow modeller to make some sandbags pieces for him, I give you the 'Sandbags Tutorial'. Here goes. 

Step 1.

In order to make this thing right, you will need:

- Milliput putty (yellow & grey)

- A modelling knife

- A piece of glass (it helps getting out the ready pieces easily)

- Some water (it will help you, because Milliput tends to get sticky when handled). It's good to have your hands wet all the time.

Step 2.

Milliput comes in two little 'sausages'. Take some equal quantities of them and start mixing them. Imagine that you are making burgers - it helps! 

Step 3.

Make some thin 'sausages' of the mixed Milliput product (0,4 cm diameter) and then start cutting little pieces of 1cm length, with the modelling knife. Take every piece - yes, every piece, and bend it with your fingers on its edges, in order to represent a sandbag as it is in reality. It is a tedious task and rather time consuming, but it's worth it. 

Step 4.

While doing that, start piling them up, one next to another as the photo suggests.

Step 5.

Proceed with the same procedure by placing the next layer of them vertically (I know  my English is crap, but the photo will help you understand what I mean).

Step 6.

Be patient. Come on, carry on - on the double! See where it leads to? If you want to add some extra detail, take the sharp edge of your modelling knife and make round 'cuts' on the sandbags' edges.

Easy wasn't it? The basic thing is to keep your hands humid/wet for to be able to adjust every little piece accordingly. It helped me! 

See some additional photos of the finished pieces (one for a building and one curved one).

Have a great Thursday night everyone! :-)

T.