"Modelling mist in 15mm" Topic

I will be making a Fantasy army in 15mm with 3 or 4 figures on 40x20mm bases for the most part. I want to model it so it appears the figures are rising from a mist. Other than cotton pulled thinly over the base, are there any other techniques folks know of to effectively model mist? Any links or pictures would be especially welcome.

Thanks in advance,

David

David,

I have thought about using clear plastic sheeting and cut out cloud shapes. With a straight bottom underside these could glued to a clear plastic piece forming its base.

You may want to construct some prototypes to find the right size for the cloud shape and base.

The plastic can take paint so you could simulate the mist.

Cheers,
Robert

put an unscented incense stick on the base and light it. Lots of smoke
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Bob, Let me re-phrase, any modelling techniques that don't involve actual fire and smelly incense! Oh – sorry, I see you specified unscented. That wouldn't really work would it? I can see my bases going up in flames as the dullcote catches fire.

Robert,

I think I understand what you are describing and that is an interesting idea. From the front that might look really great, but I wonder how it would look from above and behind, which is how we usually see them…I may experiment with this though as I happen to have some clear plastic I bought for window glazing in models.

No good for this, but I saw a great game at Bovington a few years ago. They had a wooden strip around edge, then flowed dry ice across it. Looked amazing.

A temporary way is dry ice but you have to ne careful, a little goes a long way. Dry Ice is better than smoke as it is heavier than air and will hug your ground terrain better. Also a temporary thing but effective for photography and short periods is this;

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"Robert,

I think I understand what you are describing and that is an interesting idea. From the front that might look really great, but I wonder how it would look from above and behind, which is how we usually see them…I may experiment with this though as I happen to have some clear plastic I bought for window glazing in models."

Cut the bases in the shape of a cloud as this would reinforce the impression of mist.

Using thinned light grey paint with white highlighting would bring over that impression well enough.

Paint both sides of the plastic sheet should create an impression of depth.

This has been added to my list for the Witcher project. Should be useful for the Wild Hunt.

Cheers,

If money is no object, then you could use aerogel:

link

link

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That's cool stuff. If I could just find a way to transform the granules into a solid after applying to the base….

OR just dry ice in water…lots of dry ice. There are smoke machines in all sorts of sizes, but that can be expensive.

Unfortunately I'm looking for something permanent.

If you can go with a slightly thicker base – a layer of lights that shift around, some sort of flat light if you can find such or very small bulbs, grain of wheat type sizes but more durable so probably LEDs; then one layer up some sort of diaphanous cloth – pulled thin so it doesn't block light and isn't consistent in thickness in all places; and on top a layer of some sort of reflective fabric that is translucent so what is below can shimmer threw. And maybe some fibre optic strands sticking up here and there. The thicker base would be for the batteries, probably the flat type about the size of a nickel or even a quarter – but 'table safe' – so not too thick. For the middle layer I'd use a mix of white and silvery colors. Best I can think of – but a lot of work to achieve the effect.

Kapock should work better than cotton wool. It is far more resilient so could be glued to the bases and last unlike cotton wool that will tear apart.

Unfortunately I'm looking for something permanent

Yes, my post wasnt meant to be a viable suggestion, just that it looked like cool mist!

That Aerogel is fascinating :-)

The aerogel reminded me of a gelatinous cube – which are usually modelled using clear resin – which got me thinking that clear resin, with perhaps a bit of frosting on top of the bases, may give you the effect you need.

Thanks for the heads up on Kapok fiber. I may give that a shot. The idea of using resin is also an interesting one.

set an entire ball of cotton (or a ball pulled into several parts works better) into wet acrylic paint or glue on the base. when completely dry pull the cotton off. this will leave an assortment of rising mists of cotton on the base.

-Paul

I did this with clear plastic rod and polyfill.

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Those are wonderful! How has the polyfill weathered the test of time?

This thread is fascinating. Dervel your idea looks good. That gel looks interesting stuff.

It seems to hold up well, we also use it for making smoke and destroyed tank markers… shown here with painted polyfill (added tea light) and unpainted for just a smoke look.

Same stuff as on the Valkyries.

@Dervel

Polyfill for the win if you ask me. Love the Valkyrie
The light really adds to it for the brewed up tank.

I have considered using smoke generators from model trains for a HotT Stronghold. It would probably work best to annoy your opponent than anything else.

John

Polyfill looks great.

Looks like I'll be heading to the local pet store to pick up some polyfill. That is an aquarium filter product, correct?

After the snow melts of course…

I think you can get it from fabric stores, too.

Fabric stores

Or from a pillow in your house if it contains some. Anything under a handful shouldn't be missed… ;-)

For smaller quantities, wait until Halloween and buy spider web or cobwebs, which is just polyfill. You may be able to find it online during the mundane parts of the year.