Help: Economical way to model water

[steve_holmes_11]

I've a number of aquatic creatures I'd like to base.

I'd like to portray them partly in water, so here's the concept.
Texture the base as the sea/river floor and attach figure(s).
Create a retaining box (cofferdam).
Pour in the "water" and wait for it to set.

Can the wise heads here recommend a material to use as water.
Needs to be transparent, and not shrink excessively when it dries.

I'd heard good things about PVA, but my experiment dried to a very opaque finish.

Thanks

[Steve J]

You can get modelling pellets from good modelshops that are used by railway chaps for water effects. Not sure how thick you can get it to go though.

[FierceKitty]

Clear epoxy glue.

[Womble67]

I would personally try varnish, have a look at my guide for making Ponds and Swamps

Take care

Andy

[O Dinas Powys]

Matt J did this amazing boat - VV4 from the US Vietnam range (from this thread http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,12587.0.html)



I'm sure Matt described the way he did it in a on the forum - a method similar to yours IIRC - but unfortunately I can't find it using the forum's search!

Cheers!

Meirion

[Matt J]

Thanks Meirion, I forgot I had that lying in a box somewhere.

I used the water beads as mentioned by SteveJ and you can go quite thick 5-10mm.
I paint and base the river bed as normal including flock/grass then pour the stuff over when melted. Then you need some skill because this stuff dries real quick and you end up with rolling hills. I use a soldering iron to level it off and add ripples. The good thing is you can keep working it with the iron until you get the desired finish just make sure you clean the iron frequently otherwise you end up with lost of burnt stains in your water (a few actually add to the murky look)

Used the same formula on the stream below

[mmcv]

This YouTuber has a load of videos on ways of doing it, including some pretty cheap ones with epoxy.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnVRVFrYeiMJCrjBww6nEB-Ru2BovTsC0

I noticed Lidl have some cheap epoxy glue on at the moment so might have to stock up. Been wanting to do an oasis terrain piece for a while so will be interested to see how you get on.

[FierceKitty]

I'm probably not the first to say it, Matt, but you're good.

[Matt J]

Thanks FK

You should see my 28mm stuff 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

I use vallejo still water, with patience...

[Steve J]

Be warned that epoxy glue yellows with age, often going almost amber. And it sort of dries out and gets brittle. I'd stick with the 'water beads'.

[steve_holmes_11]

I would personally try varnish, have a look at my guide for making Ponds and Swamps

Take care

Andy

Very nice, and specific brand of varnish?
I don't want one that yellows as it dries.

[steve_holmes_11]

Matt J did this amazing boat - VV4 from the US Vietnam range (from this thread http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,12587.0.html)



I'm sure Matt described the way he did it in a on the forum - a method similar to yours IIRC - but unfortunately I can't find it using the forum's search!

Cheers!

Meirion

Yess, that's almost exactly the effect I'm looking for.
Except I'd have crocs or mermaids floating about in mine.

[steve_holmes_11]

Be warned that epoxy glue yellows with age, often going almost amber. And it sort of dries out and gets brittle. I'd stick with the 'water beads'.

I could use a link to a supplier, if you don't mind.

My search for water beads yielded  https://teachpreschool.org/2012/05/26/the-wonderful-world-of-water-beads/

Gelatinous blobs that grow if you add water.

[Steve J]

This is the sort of thing I was thinking of:

https://anticsonline.uk/N523/N536/N1256_Materials/index.html

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Woodland-Scenics-Realistic-Water-16/dp/B000A7PPOE/ref=pd_sbs_21_t_1/257-1849308-2585844?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000A7PPOE&pd_rd_r=cf12b311-20b7-441c-9d37-0e51ca517a96&pd_rd_w=x9FLA&pd_rd_wg=aUeDP&pf_rd_p=e44592b5-e56d-44c2-a4f9-dbdc09b29395&pf_rd_r=XW5745PCQ04AYNQPYBR7&psc=1&refRID=XW5745PCQ04AYNQPYBR7

Hope this helps?