Water?

Acrylic Jell. It comes in clear, opaque (and with sand in it) and spreds with an artists trowel (or chop down a plastic spoon) or a kitchen knife. To make waves stack some popsicle sticks on your wood base, glue em' down. Figure out where your ship is going to go first! then spred the goo all over where you need it. The popsicle sticks form the body of the wave so you don't use too much jell building them up. Then it's just a matter of sculpting the waves and wake and of course painting. It's kind of like figure painting, darker in the troughs, lighter body, whitecaps, surf whatever. You can create water over the bow, shell splashes. alll kinds of stuff.
try it................

G.L.

Yes, Liquitex Acrylic Gel will do a good job on water. I paint the base a mottled blue-green color and then apply a coat of it, adding waves with a paintbrush. It works quite well. Sometimes I'll drybrush the waves with white for white caps.

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreacite it. Going to try and hit the hobby shop this weekend.

I have heard of using Acrylic Gells before....I have also heard that painting the base first is best....that sounds cool to me!

Does this 'acrylic gell' stuff dry 100%, what iz the working time and are there any pics available for samples?

THANKS!

I found my 'drying' answer in this VERY COOL article about using ACRYLIC GEL's!

Very helpful!

http://www.steelnavy.com/water.htm

Here is a base I used the Acrylic Gel on. I didn't drybrush the wavetops with white, and I'm debating whether this is necessary.




I have another base with brybrushed waves. I'll see if I can get any good pictures of it.

Try this link too: www.modelwarships.com/index1.html

I would try an art supply store rather than the hobby store. I have never noticed it in any of my local hobby stores, but have found it in art supply stores such as Michaels.

The thicker you apply it, the longer it takes to dry. Usually I apply it a couple millimeters thick and have about 15-20 minutes of good working time. I use a brush to make waves.

If you ever try it on 1/350, Arcylic Liquitex will not be enough. You will have to go for Sculpey compound. Check my article on Building the USS New Jersey at modelwarships.com and see how it was done.

Noel

OK.....so what about a waterline dio with the 1/72 scale U-BOAT.....should I first build up the basic sea contour with plaster and then use the gel as the final finish?

Yes. The gel's purpose is merely to create that live-water effect. Without it, your diorama will never simulate this turbulence.

Noel

Thanks!

I have read that some have built up the water by adding layers of the gell....but at 1/72 scale ......would that be too much?

I cut my sub so that I only need about 1/4 inch difference in water height from low point to high point.

Not too stormy or rough seas....at a pretty slow speed....and the weather will be dark.

Just be sure you know how the ship (model) is going to sit; bow up or down? A slight list or roll to port or starboard? Make sure the model is secure to the base. After you're all done and everything is painted and dry give it a coat of future, it enhances the gloss and won't fade. g.l.

Glweeks is right. Future floor wax is the final ingredient here. Remember that the Atlantic is seldom calm. So imagine the sub tilting a bit as the wave (not a stormy one) pushes the boat towards the other side. With some pictures and a bit of imagination, you'll get the right form.

Goodluck!!!

Noel

A BIG THANK YOU!!

Good pointers for sure! ......now I wish I would have cut down a bit lower on the hull.

Thanks!!