Got a Zuzzy? How did you paint it?!

[obsidian3d]

After a rather arduous ordeal I've finally obtained my 6x4 zuzzy mats; two sulfur fields, one broken blacktop and one scourged forest. I am planning on doing one of the sulfur mats as winter and the other as wasteland or desert but I'm curious how those of you who have them painted them up.

So...got any tips, tricks or pics to share?

[snitcythedog]

I purchased a broken blacktop earlier this year.  Painting was pretty easy.  Just one tip that I have.  Highlighting is straight forward so that is not a big issue.  If you use an ink wash on it you will need something to break the surface tension on the wash so it can get into the cracks.  I used Jet Dry (an anti spotting agent for dish washing).  A couple of drops mixed in the wash will allow it to get into all the cracks.  I then highlighted it dark gray, light gray, and then a thin brushing of khaki.  I still have to do some washes for oil stains and grime but right now it looks great.  

After a rather arduous ordeal

You too?  Great product.  Service not so much.  A quick I am backlogged email would have been great. 
Hope that helped.  
Snitchy sends.

[obsidian3d]

Thanks for the information. Initially I was thinking that one of the sulfur flats ones would be the easiest, but after digging around online I think that the broken blacktop might be the one to start with. It looks great and does sound much easier in terms of painting!

[tomogui]

I have one of their sulfur fields mats. I shot some basic colour (browns and orangey-reds, all super-diluted acrylics) onto it with the airbrush, then drybrushed up the details. Simple, but it can take a while, depending how perfectionist you want to be with the details.

Use cheap craft paints. Just make sure you don't cake the paint on; the mats take paint well, and it stays on well, so thin layers work best.

Quite a good job to do with kids, if you have them; it's fun and pretty hard for them to mess up. 

[obsidian3d]

I've tried a few tests on some of my sample mats and so far haven't been very happy with my results. I'm going to keep working at it before I tackle my large 6'x4' mats.

[gauntman]

I have a large mat which I painted grass color with dirt areas and rocks detailed separately, I then sealed it with flat varnish.  It's lasted me 5 years now.. with heavy use.  The paint has never worn out and it still looks great.

[obsidian3d]

Oh I'm not unhappy with the mats themselves, just the results of my painting attempts. I think this is not the week for me to paint anything actually...I've ruined pretty much everything i've touched in the past five days.