Rolling Pin AZTEC

Rolling Pin Aztec — a texture roller with Mesoamerican ornament

The roller transfers a continuous decoration in the Mesoamerican spirit into soft modeling compound — geometric ornament and relief stone of the kind that suits stepped buildings, ceremonial surfaces and figure bases. You impress the pattern over as large an area as you need; the roller is a lasting tool, the compound is the only consumable item and is bought separately.

Impressing it step by step

• Roll the compound out into an even layer and leave an overhang around the target shape for trimming.
• Treat both the roller and the surface with water or a release agent, so that the compound does not catch in the relief.
• Impress it in one smooth pass; geometric ornament is sensitive to smearing.
• While it is still soft, shape the edges and the steps — relief decoration looks better on a shaped part than on a flat board.
• Once it has cured, degrease it and spray a base coat.

Stone overgrown with greenery

Mesoamerican motifs work best in a contrast of dry stone and vegetation. Make the base in a gray-brown tone, let a dark wash run into the engraved lines and lighten the high points with drybrushing. Then work shades of moss, fine static grass or green pigment into the gaps and shaded corners. That gives the ornament depth and the surface stops looking like a uniform casting.

Who it is for

• Builders of fantasy and adventure dioramas.
• Figure painters who want a themed base.
• Makers of wargaming terrain, where the decoration repeats on several pieces.

Modeling compound, release agent and paints are not included in the package. Clean the roller after use while the compound is still soft; cured material is only removed from a fine geometric pattern with difficulty.