Sometimes perfect isn’t good. Or maybe it’s too good. When artists make miniature worlds, they want them to look real. And the real world they’re imitating has been broken by sin. Things get muddy. They rust and break. They wear out.

So how do miniaturists create realistic-looking wear and tear in their tiny worlds?

Rust: One way to make a car or truck look rusty is to paint on a rust-colored base coat. When it dries, the artist brushes on a little water in the areas he wants to look rusty, then spreads salt on the wet spots. After the salt dries on, he spray-paints the model again. When it dries again, he rubs away the salt. This makes the paint look chipped and the rust-colored paint shows beneath.

Old Wood: How do you make wood for a fence or chair look old? One trick is to put steel wool (like you use to clean pots and pans) in vinegar. After it sits overnight, the artist adds a little water and paints the vinegar water on the wood. The rust color makes the wood look worn.

Snow: Making miniatures look real sometimes means showing the weather. So how do miniaturists make snow? One easy way is to take equal parts school glue, white acrylic paint, and baking soda. Once it’s mixed up, it can be dabbed on roofs, trees, and landscapes with an old paintbrush.

We live in a broken world. Like the world around us, we’re not perfect. But did you know that when God looks at believers, He sees perfection? When we believe in Christ, we are covered with His righteousness. We are perfect in Him.