Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Painting & Modelling => Topic started by: jchaos79 on 31 October 2014, 11:54:08 PM

Title: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 31 October 2014, 11:54:08 PM
I did a water base with the figure of Neptune, those that is emerging from the water. So I thouhgt, simple: the base would be blue. Then only need to use my new Vallejo Foam snow effect to simulate a kind of seafoam or waves.

Results are not as satisfactory as I wish... (I would upload a picture when I could)

Then, advices with water basing effects? tricks?

thanks in advance gentelmens.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 01 November 2014, 12:03:37 AM
Either you sculpt a frame and use water effect, setting him in, or sculpt milliputt like I did for my word War 2 ships.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 01 November 2014, 08:07:58 AM
Any ideas for improvement ?

(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu205/jchaos79/DSCF3587_zps366d49a0.jpg)
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 01 November 2014, 08:24:05 AM
Yes, but please do not take this as criticism of your amazing painting in the figure.
It looks too calm on the base. This is a huge figure emerging from the depths.
Think about how the water is being displaced.
If he is moving, there would be a wake, if he is surfacing there would be circular displacement in huge volumes. In my opinion, which does not count for much, there should be concentric rings of waves spreading out.

Think 'Clash of The Titans' 1981, or any Rat Harryhausen movie. Drips and splashes everywhere.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: fred. on 01 November 2014, 08:40:55 AM
I can see why you are not happy with the base. The figure is very well painted, and the idea is ace.

What Lemmy says above is very good advice.

I would add that the colour is too flat, and probably too blue, even for the Mediterranean sea. So mix in a few shades, of blue / greens. Some texture will help a lot. Once you have finished the texture and painted it, then give the water surface a gloss coat, to make it look wet!

If you have access to water effects by Vallejo or woodland scenics then this would give you both the texture and shine.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Leman on 01 November 2014, 09:44:11 AM
Woodland scenics produce a very good water effect basing material which can be moulded to show waves, splashes and ripples. Vallejo also produce a water basing material. Ripples which catch the light and have a light drybrush of white also look very effective. Lemmy's advice about splashes around the emerging figure and the sea being various shades of blue and green (if calm and sunny), or greys if it is a cloudy day, is also very pertinent.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 01 November 2014, 09:54:23 AM
Great, thank you guys! I was quite stuck between the lazyness and the lack of direction.

Mad Lemmey gave me the direction and Fred 12df and Dour puritan the strengh to beat the lazyness. I need some some putty work and also work with colors (flat do not work). Unfortuantely I do not have water effects, and that it would be a perfect excuse to adquire them, but this month I made an order to Pendraken and also an order to Magister militum, so I am not willing to spend more in the hobby. So I should do something with the materials I have.

I will try something and then show around to get a feedback

Thanks for the help
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: FierceKitty on 01 November 2014, 09:59:29 AM
How about some seaweed draped over him?
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Hertsblue on 01 November 2014, 10:21:06 AM
You can get the same ripple effect with ordinary decorating filler. Build the ripples up gradually, and when solid, paint the whole thing a very dark blue or green. Drybrush a lighter version of the base colour across the ripples, and when that is dry, drybrush white on to the very tips of the ripples. You may want to experiment with the technique before going for the real thing, however.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: fred. on 01 November 2014, 11:24:35 AM
Happy to help.

The water effects is a bit expensive but you get a lot, and it goes a long way, and looks good.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 01 November 2014, 12:37:54 PM
Quote from: FierceKitty on 01 November 2014, 09:59:29 AM
How about some seaweed draped over him?

That is a good idea
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 01 November 2014, 12:38:53 PM
Quote from: Hertsblue on 01 November 2014, 10:21:06 AM
You can get the same ripple effect with ordinary decorating filler. Build the ripples up gradually, and when solid, paint the whole thing a very dark blue or green. Drybrush a lighter version of the base colour across the ripples, and when that is dry, drybrush white on to the very tips of the ripples. You may want to experiment with the technique before going for the real thing, however.

I will try that, but I will risk and goes directly to the real thing... let's see what happens

thanks to all
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 01 November 2014, 09:21:40 PM
I try with some green stuff to simulate water, that is the result

(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu205/jchaos79/DSCF3599-copia_zpsc2bd175a.jpg)

I also scratch my mairmaids unit

(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu205/jchaos79/DSCF3600-copia_zpsb05797c4.jpg)

Suggestion or criticisim before I give a try with the paint.


I am not very self confident with the water effect  :-\


Anyway, only one unit of tritons and then I would finish the Poseidon n fishmen army
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 01 November 2014, 09:27:04 PM
WTF.... I am just looking to the pictures, and I realize that I was thinking in the myth (ulyses in the boat and mairmaids in the shore) when made the unit, but for a game.... should the mairmaids look to the land not to the see... anyway I not going rebuilt the bases... I should focus in the water effect
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 01 November 2014, 09:46:43 PM
Yes, like both of those. When they're done they'll be great.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: fred. on 01 November 2014, 10:06:31 PM
Neptune looks good.

The mermaids look good too - perhaps a little more texture in the water. I wouldn't worry about water bases on a land based game - they are mermaids after all.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 01 November 2014, 11:17:06 PM
Here it goes, Poseidon finished. I am very happy with the result, thank to all for the help and comments!

(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu205/jchaos79/DSCF3602_zps8c9605b9.jpg)
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: fred. on 01 November 2014, 11:32:54 PM
Thats come out a treat  :-bd
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Ithoriel on 01 November 2014, 11:33:26 PM
Looks really good.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Sandinista on 02 November 2014, 12:10:12 AM
I Really like that effect
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Last Hussar on 02 November 2014, 12:18:18 AM
You're painting is better than mine - but, with that caveat, may I suggest lots of coats of gloss varnish- quite thick, as you are not worried about the problems lots of thick layers cause, as they are what you want for water, vaguely opaque, vaguely transparent, reflecting the light.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 02 November 2014, 12:41:09 AM
Thanks to all of you,

Last Hussar, yes I would do what you says, it makes lots of sense to me
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: FierceKitty on 02 November 2014, 02:55:53 AM
Good work; looks far more numenous!
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 02 November 2014, 08:10:28 AM
That has really worked well. 8)
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Leman on 02 November 2014, 09:53:59 AM
Now that really does look impressive.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Fenton on 02 November 2014, 10:04:35 AM
Both the mermaids and Poseiden look great

I have this image in my head of mermaids going into battle in horse (sea?) drawn bathtubs
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Leman on 02 November 2014, 10:08:27 AM
Giant scallop shells rather than bath tubs!
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: mollinary on 02 November 2014, 12:17:06 PM
That is a very impressive effect. It really looks as if he is moving colossal amounts of water.

Mollinary
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Last Hussar on 02 November 2014, 12:54:55 PM
Just thought (not tried this, so do so at your won risk) some drops of glue on the figure, so it looks like water running down him
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 02 November 2014, 01:08:01 PM
Quote from: Last Hussar on 02 November 2014, 12:54:55 PM
Just thought (not tried this, so do so at your won risk) some drops of glue on the figure, so it looks like water running down him

:) I am a gambler, but I would not risk as know I am satisfied with the result (but the idea seems good)
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Hertsblue on 02 November 2014, 02:03:00 PM
Yes, there's a much greater feeling of movement now. Nicely done, JC.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Maenoferren on 02 November 2014, 10:24:42 PM
Looking fab
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Techno on 03 November 2014, 07:40:39 AM
Sorry, J.
Very late at noticing this thread !
You've done a great job ! :-bd
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 08 November 2014, 09:47:30 AM
Start the tritons concept. Thanks to dry_erase for suppling the horses!

(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu205/jchaos79/DSCF3650_zps403838f7.jpg)

any advises or comments are appreciated, as always
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 08 November 2014, 01:31:00 PM
Tritons convertions finished

I am start thinking that it should be better if I started by texturizing the water (waves, splash) and then I introduce the figures... do not know

(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu205/jchaos79/DSCF3652_zps950b2a9e.jpg)

(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu205/jchaos79/DSCF3655_zps5143e90a.jpg)

(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu205/jchaos79/DSCF3656_zpsa2a14fa9.jpg)

ideas? improvements?
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: fred. on 08 November 2014, 03:37:01 PM
They are very cool.

Yes a bit of texture on the water, and the bases would be good.
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: Techno on 08 November 2014, 07:15:25 PM
I think those will work very well, J.
Look forward to seeing them finished.
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Water effect
Post by: jchaos79 on 08 November 2014, 07:28:42 PM
Fred, thanks!

Thecno, that is really nice coming from a profesional sculptor ! The green stuff work could be improved a lot, but I did not work too much on the detail as I know I am not good with the green stuff.

Let's see if the paint works miracles :)