Modelling Sands

[cameronian]

LOL, think we might both miss.

Suffering from acute Bohemian withdrawal syndrome, was checking cheap flights to Prague earlier this evening, must try and normalise my feelings, am drawn to the idea of a log cabin in the vicinty of Trutnov, there to end my days tending the graves and walking the ground until I become part of it. Last night I dreamt I was sitting on the skull at Wenzlburg, just as dusk was falling, listening to the dead conversing with each other as they emerged to light their campfires.

[mollinary]

Hmmm - nothing as vivid as that for me, but my mind keeps going back to that mass grave by (and under) the railroad track at Vysokov.  Hundreds lying in someone's vegetable patch, with no-one even aware of what was, for them quite literally, an issue of life and death.  I hope I have not made my last visit there.

Mollinary

[cameronian]

I hope I have not made my last visit there

Amen to that.

[sebigboss79]

Okay lets take the question a bit serious: The fine modelling sand works great for 10mms.

If you want it yet finer you shuld check out special "6mm basing kits" some manufaturer(s) have. They also contain extra short grass flocks etc. Maybe something the Pendrakens can look into???

Maybe a word from Nik with his 3mm scale experience?

[Leon]

If you want it yet finer you shuld check out special "6mm basing kits" some manufaturer(s) have. They also contain extra short grass flocks etc. Maybe something the Pendrakens can look into???

The finer sand is fine enough for smaller scales as well, there'd be no problem using it for 6mm's.  Likewise, the static grass is the shorter strand type specifically for use on 6-10mm figures.

[nikharwood]

Maybe a word from Nik with his 3mm scale experience?

For 3mm I've used a variety of methods really:

1] the same sand mix that I use for 10mm & 28mm [kids play / builder's sharp sand]:


2] snow paste mix - Woodlands Scenic snow + PVA + water + white paint:


3] the impressionist mix - just stippled paint & some flock that's drybrushed:


Same in 2mm:

1] sand:


2] sand & flock:


3] sand:

[robert]

I have used bird sand - the stuff you get from pet shop to put in the bottom of budgie cages!

Sounds daft but looks perfect - ask Count Belisarius - he bought some of my 6mm desert stuff off evil bay when I dropped that scale a while ago.

The 'sand' has bits of brown, cream and white grit in it and really does look just right - one tub was about £6 or £7 but at this scale would cover a fair chunk of Libya!

I put my usual filler mix on the base - dry - then paint with Vallejo earth - dry - then water+pva lightly brushed on and sprinkle the budgie sand on whilst wet. 

I do all my bases like that but none sand ones just get autumn mix static grass instead of sand - works for me.

[Count Belisarius]

I have used bird sand - the stuff you get from pet shop to put in the bottom of budgie cages!

Sounds daft but looks perfect - ask Count Belisarius - he bought some of my 6mm desert stuff off evil bay when I dropped that scale a while ago.

The 'sand' has bits of brown, cream and white grit in it and really does look just right - one tub was about £6 or £7 but at this scale would cover a fair chunk of Libya!

I put my usual filler mix on the base - dry - then paint with Vallejo earth - dry - then water+pva lightly brushed on and sprinkle the budgie sand on whilst wet. 

I do all my bases like that but none sand ones just get autumn mix static grass instead of sand - works for me.

'tis true! The sand works really well I think for desert stuff. Because it is partly translucent you can paint the base light or dark and it affects the overall colour when the sand is added. I went for a mid/light brown for my Syrians to give a darker look, and will be going a pale sand colour for my WW2 Brits/Italians as I like the lighter look. The bits of shell etc. give nice contrast. Add the odd clump of grass as well.

You can see the effect here as I discovered that not painting the base first after you've sloshed paint all over while painting the minis affects the end result!

More pics here: http://blog.belisarius.org.uk/2011/11/syrians-and-basing-woes.html

Hope that helps

Andy

PS Hi Rob! Hope all well!

PPS. Vallejo German Cam. Black Brown is a perfect match for burnt MDF if you like to leave the base edges!

[mollinary]

Now we are getting serious again, I use a model railway product I discovered well before Leon began his Minibits business. I use it for both 10mm and 6mm (I found the sand in Pete Berry's otherwise excellent basing packs a bit too fine). I came across it in a shop in Vienna some years ago, but I would be surprised if it is not available in some form in UK.  It is Faller's "749 Sand, erdbraun". It came in 670 gram plastic jars (rather like coffee jars), and I am still working through it. If you like it a bit rougher mix it with some of the smaller railroad ballast available. I have completed several thousand bases using it, and think it does the job well.

Mollinary

[Syr Hobbs]

I like to use swimming pool or fish tank filter sand.  or if I can get some, sand from the beaches in Cancun. 

Duane

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Im using 15kg of sandbox sand got from Argos for £3.....should last me out.

IanS 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Just keep the neighbourhood cats out! 

[nikharwood]

...or if I can get some, sand from the beaches in Cancun.  

Duane

I'll go grab you some if you like...

[Syr Hobbs]

Now that's some sand I'd be happy to find.

Duane

[Count Belisarius]

Now that's some sand I'd be happy to find.

Duane

Yes, but where would you put the PVA?

[Dave Fielder]

Nik ... that's where me holiday snaps went, thank for finding them.

[Ben Waterhouse]

I'll go grab you some if you like...

Nik - the dude that just keeps on giving! 

[Kiwidave]

Nik ... that's where me holiday snaps went, thank for finding them.

So which one are you then Dave? 

[Nav]

Nav: Vallejo makes a nice pumice which has a fine grain and looks great when painted I use it on all my base's hope this help's.
                                                                                     Mike

I know im planning on getting some for christmas or i might get citidel basetex

[sebigboss79]

Caveat Emptor!!!

Citadels product is used up pretty fast and not called Bastex!

Coat d'Arms product is called this way and I have yet to hear negative feedback about it..but why bother. The Pendraken fine sand is good enough for me and it should be for you