How to make a cave.
First I started off with some paper mil paper. It is pretty heavy duty stuff, and it come in a roll, but don't ask me where from because I have never had to order it. We have just always had a giant roll of it. I am nearing the end and I am going to have to figure out where it can be purchased.
Anyway, I unrolled a long piece, and cut it using a razor knife.
Starting at one end I began folding and stepping on it to crumple it up. This is a great way to take out some pent up frustrations. And this is also a great time to let the kids help. They love jumping and crumpling up paper.
WARNING: If you crumple this up on a tile/stone floor it will be a little slick, and you might find yourself sitting rather hard on the floor.
ANOTHER WARNING: This paper is also very easy to get paper cuts from. So be careful.
Ok so it is now crumpled up.
I have a set built of 4'x8' frames with styrofoam on them. So I added a few pieces of plywood for the staples to hold to. Then I randomly bunch and move the paper so it forms rock like shapes.
I always try and turn the raw edge under. It makes it a little bit more rock like.
See if you lightly fold the raw edge down and staple, it looks better.
I didn't take any pictures of the painting process, mainly because I was in a hurry to get it done and get some sleep.
I have used a paint sprayer before but the overspray took so long to clean up I decided against it this time.
I took an airbrush and sprayed blackish grey paint upwards. Only from the bottom up. This gives the illusion of shadows. I tried to fill in as many gaps as possible. If you really have a lot of time and want it to look better, do the same concept but from the top with a lighter color. This will give the illusion of highlights.
Here is a promo video using the set.