"What to use for swamp water on a base?" Topic

Hi all,

I am going to be putting together my Gatormen Posse from HORDES (Minions) and I want to make a few of them appear as if they are rising up out of swampy water to make their attack. I am looking for suggestions on how to make the bases appear like the Gatorman is in water.

One plan is to use a jeweler's saw to cut off lower portions of the body so that the mini's bottom appears slightly immersed in whatever material I use for the water. Another plan is to make the water appear to be splashing upward as if the Gatorman his just jumped up from his concealment in the water and is springing to attack.

What is the material that I can use to make "water"? I am not looking for the stuff that one might use to make a "deep pool", but would make a thin layer and be glossy enough to appear as water and possibly textured with ripples.

What is the material that I can use to make the "splashing" fountain of something suddenly jumping up from the depths and breaking the surface (like a breaching whale, or alligator attacking from the depth).

The base size is 40 mm. The minis are large enough to occupy about 1/2 to 3/4 of the area on the base.

Thanks in advance.

Andy Welkley
"Your Phrendlee Hevy Phyzx T-chrr"

Vallejo has both Still Water and Water Effects, which sounds like just what you are looking for.

gloss medium from art stores allows you to shape rough waters . Woodlands scenics makes a pourable water

Another vote for acrylic gloss medium, especially the heavy/thick kind. Neat stuff.

Doug

And another vote for gloss medium.

For what it's worth, still water and rippled water are easy to do with gloss medium, but splashing is going to be difficult to get to look right.

You'll need to use some kind of "framework" for the splash. I've seen gamers and plastic modelers use clear plastic cut and bent to shape, then built up with gloss medium. I've also seen various epoxy putties and other media used to build up the splashes, then painted to represent muddy or otherwise opaque water, then gloss medium as the final coat, to give the shine.

Envirotex lite. This stuff is a clear two part epoxy that works very well. Mix in some ink or paint to make it look a bit muddy.

Vallejo still water, I use it for all my watery effects.

link

Make the slash from shreds of tin foil whilst flat.
Pour still water over it.
When dry, peel the foil away from the still water and hey presto!

Thank you all! I had forgotten about the Woodland scenics material.

Each of your suggestions for "splashing" effects are terrific too.

Looks like a nice summer project for me.

Andy Welkley
"Your Phrendlee Hevy Phyzx T-chrr"

If you just need a thin, glossy layer I'd use a can of high gloss polyurethane (a stain sealer) from Walmart or your local hardware store. It's cheap and 2 or 3 layers gives an excellent glossy sheen.

Yup, brown paint under varnish, and between layers, gives great murky swampy depths.