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The Hobby Workbench

Happibee / The Hobby WorkbenchMiniatures · Models · Dioramas

Make your next project happen

Small scale.
Big ideas.

A place to choose your next technique, find the right material and turn a bare model into something worth a closer look.

On the bench / Winter groundwork

A little snow.
A lot of atmosphere.

Keep patches of earth visible and build a scene that feels caught between winter and spring. Start with the ground you already have, then add the finishing detail.

Explore melting-snow bases →

Project focus: thin, patchy snow for miniature bases and dioramas.

Patchy snow texture on the tracks and weathered body of a miniature tank

The material finder

What are you trying to make?

Choose the job first. Open a panel to find a useful starting point and a guide to the next step.

Fill a seam or surface gap

Start with a surface filler. AK Modeling Green Putty is a one-component, water-based filler for surface repairs. It serves a different job from a kneadable sculpting epoxy.

Compare filler and sculpting putty →

View Green Putty
Sculpt a new detail or shape

Look for a sculpting material. A cloak, pouch or conversion detail calls for a material you can shape. Two-part Green Stuff and one-component Green Putty are not interchangeable.

Find out which kind of putty fits →

Build textured earth on a base

Start with a ground texture. AK Dark Earth is an acrylic terrain texture for creating dark soil on bases and dioramas. Select the finish that belongs in your scene before adding snow or other effects.

View Dark Earth, 250 ml
Add a light, patchy snow finish

Start with a thin snow texture. AK Snow Sprinkles suits a light snow effect. Leave some of your groundwork visible for a thawing scene.

Plan your melting-snow base →

View Snow Sprinkles

Build your next skill

Follow the project, step by step.

01 / Prepare

Get the surface right.

Seam repair and sculpting need different materials. Make that choice before reaching for the putty.

Green Putty vs. Green Stuff →
02 / Add color

Choose your paint supplies.

Find paints and supplies for the next stage of your model, from the first coat to the details.

Explore model paints →
03 / Set the scene

Give the model a world.

A patch of exposed earth and a light snow finish can set the season without burying the base.

Build a melting-snow scene →

Your project shortlist

A snow scene starts with the ground.

Use an existing textured base or start a new one. Check the material, finish and pack size before opening your supplies. Opened or tested supplies are not eligible for voluntary returns; see the return policy for details and help with an order problem.

Open the full project guide →
  • A base and groundwork. Keep your existing terrain, or explore Dark Earth for a new soil surface.
  • A snow finish. Snow Sprinkles adds the light snow layer.
  • Tools you may already own. A palette, small spatula or old synthetic brush, plus a spare base for a practice patch.

Ready to explore beyond this project? Browse hobby supplies →