There’s something incredibly satisfying about taking one of our unpainted Monster Scenery trees and transforming it into a vibrant, moss-covered piece of tabletop terrain. Whether you’re building mystical forests, haunted groves, or woodland battlefields, this quick and rewarding paint job will make your table pop with character.

Below is a step-by-step guide showing how to turn a bare plastic tree into a rich, earthy, mossy beauty, complete with optional woodland critters!

Supplies Used:

Priming & Adhesives

• Rust-Oleum Flat Brown Primer

• Super glue (for attaching optional accessories)

Paints

• Vallejo Charred Brown

• Vallejo Beasty Brown

• Vallejo Desert Yellow

• Dirty Down’s Moss Effect

Tools

• A medium drybrush

• A small detail brush (optional for extra touch ups)

• Paper towel or palette for offloading paint

Prime the Tree

Start by giving the entire tree a solid coat of Rust-Oleum Flat Brown Primer.
This establishes deep shadows in all the cracks and bark texture, making your later paint layers really sing. Be sure to get under the branches and around the roots, texture loves to hide when you're not looking!

Drybrush with Vallejo Charred Brown

Once the primer is dry, take a medium drybrush and load it with Vallejo Charred Brown.
Wipe most of it off on a paper towel, then begin brushing across the raised bark textures.

This first brown layer is subtle, helps cover any shine from the primer, and sets the foundation tone: dark, earthy, and rich. Don’t worry about being too neat, dry brushing does most of the work for you.

Drybrush with Vallejo Beasty Brown

Next, lighten things up with a drybrush of Vallejo Beasty Brown.
Focus on broad strokes that catch the raised ridges and knots of the bark.

This color warms the tree and introduces depth, helping the texture pop without losing the rugged natural look.

Highlight with Vallejo Desert Yellow

Take things a step further with a light highlight drybrush of Vallejo Desert Yellow.
Use a lighter touch here, this is your “sun-kissed” bark layer. Concentrate on upper branches, raised edges, and outward-facing surfaces.

Suddenly the bark looks alive, drier in some areas, lighter in others, just like a real tree exposed to the elements.

Add Moss with Dirty Down’s Moss Effect

This is where the magic happens.

Using Dirty Down’s Moss Effect, apply it strategically around:

• Lower branches

• Base of the trunk

• Deep grooves

• Any spots where moisture would naturally gather

As it dries, the effect blooms into realistic, organic moss. You can build it up in layers, go subtle, or go full enchanted forest. It’s basically cheating—the good kind.

Touch Up and Accessorize with Squirrels!

If you want to add some extra charm, touch up on high points with Vallejo Desert Yellow and add in a few of our tiny squirrels onto the branches!

Cluster them perched on limbs, or hiding near the base. It adds life, storytelling, and a touch of whimsy to your finished piece.

Your Mossy Masterpiece Awaits

With just a handful of paints and a little dry brushing, you can turn a simple unpainted tree into a stunning terrain centerpiece dripping with texture and life. Whether you're dressing an RPG encounter, building a battlefield, or just crafting for fun, this technique is fast, forgiving, and endlessly customizable.

Ready to grow your forest? Our unpainted trees in various packs and mischievous squirrels are waiting for you in the Monster Shop!

If you create your own mossy forests, tag us! We love seeing your Monster Scenery come alive!