Water effect methods

[WarriorFish]

I've got some water effect as a way to spruce up my bases but I've been unable to find any topics on it to help. I've seen bases where people have sculpted out a recess in the base for a more realistic/deeper water feature but I'm not looking for that much effort. I'm assuming you can paint it on a base and it'll look fine as a shallow puddle next to the modelling sand which is what I'm aiming for (I'm assuming it isn't too thin and won't give me a waterfall effect on the sides!).

 

The theme for my bases is a dead/barren world so I wanted to have the water dirty and/or stagnant looking but I've no idea how best to achieve this. I used some Dheneb Stone dry brushed on Khemri for the sand but I'm looking to use the newer paints for future proofing so I'm open to any recommendations for the basing colours.

 

I'm guessing that a darker colour of some sort to paint the water effect on is a good start?

 

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Xin Ceithan]

If you are not going to use the resin based water effects there are some alternatives.

You could always try to paint it with the Basic paints. Inks or wash is preferable, as it follows the surfacestructure more, well, liquidlike. Photoreference is handy for chosing colours. In general, watery liquids tend to darken their understructures, so shading your Base and Highlight colours is a good First step. The critical Part in painting liquids is mostly the breaking of light on the surface. Vanish, especially, the glossy kind is a fast way to represent this.

 

Also several companies make easy "prefab" water effects thatcan be used like washes and have the right consistency and light breaking. I use some from MIG for rust streaks and downpour.

[WarriorFish]

I've got some of GW's water stuff so I'm hoping that will do most of the work for me. I can always 'ard coat it if it doesn't give the right effect on the surface as you say.

 

I'll find some pictures to reference and try my hand at it tonight if I can find the time. I'm thinking of dark browns (scorched?) with a colour change towards the modelling sand, maybe through a bit of blending if I'm feeling fancy enough.

 

Thanks for the reply Xin, you've given me something to get started with :)

[Xin Ceithan]

You `re welcome.

I´m actually plannung to experoment with the resin water effects when I have some more time on my hands

[WarriorFish]

I didn't get time to experiment last night (I did a bit more on my Stormtalon instead) but I've decided that I'm going to try a dark brown going to a thin line of black at the edges of the water to see how that looks. I'm thinking Scorched Brown though maybe I should look into the newer paints for future proofing/more colour options.

 

I'm going to put little puddles in as well as larger segments of the base for lots of variety, and also the odd bits/skulls (since it's 40k :P ) in the water too which got me thinking. If I wanted to do a deeper puddle what's the best way to do this? What would the "water effect" look like if it was done as two separate coats rather than a single thicker one? Is it even possible to do a thicker coat with it?

 

If I wanted a deeper water feature I'll have to experiment with the "hollowed out" base I mentioned earlier. If I can do this then I'd reserve it for character bases mostly. Following on from that if I wanted to have a character with a foot or something in the water all I'd need to do is paint the model normally then apply the "water effect" around it normally.

 

Looks like I've got something to keep me busy this weekend! Again thanks for the replies Xin I was completely drawing a blank before I posted this topic but now I'm confident I know what to do :(

[Honda]

I just noticed this thread, but a technique I've used to good effect is:

 

1. Future's Floor Finish (or Wax) + a few drops of green and brown ink (or paint if you want less translucency)

 

2. While applying sand to my bases, I leave some of the plastic base uncovered

 

3. After I've painted the sand and highlighted, I then paint the FFF on the uncovered plastic base

 

4. After that dries, I paint one or two coats of 'Ard Coat on it. Note: I only do this if I've already sealed the figure

 

This provides a nice, in my case, snow melt effect, but it could also be used for swampy bases. It's also very cost effective.

 

Materials used:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Elysians/Infantry/PE02064.jpg

 

Bases:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Elysians/Infantry/PE02112.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Elysians/Infantry/PE02107.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Elysians/Infantry/PE02105.jpg

 

Mods: I hope these pics aren't stepping over any rules. I tried to show shots that focus on the basing itself.

 

I look forward to seeing what you come up with. I think the addition of water type effects is an excellent way to lift your basing up a notch and can provide a spectacular finish to your figures.

 

Cheers,

[WarriorFish]

Thanks Honda that's the sort of thing I was imagining when I thought of this. I've got a few more paints and dug out a test model to try it out on which I will do this week. I spent the weekend finishing off my Stormtalon as I couldn't resist the chance to finish a project for a change!

 

Speaking of which the Stormtalon does come with a rather large base and I've not started work on it yet... A good candidate for a larger water feature methinks if I can get a look I'm happy with ;)

 

I'll post up some pictures should the Emprah bless my efforts :)