Test, Test, Test (and Water Effects Overview)

Liquitex Pouring Medium

Used it before, dries clear, self leveling, excellent quality and reasonably priced. Can varnish over top to modify the gloss.



Downside is it takes a LONG time to fully clear.. like months and I was trying to finish on time for Massive Voodoo's contest.



Has to be poured in thin layers.

Testors Plastic Cement

I've also used this before, dries clear, dries quick and looks great.



This stuff loses volume and pulls at edges while it dries, so the surface of the water doesn't level nicely. It's also expensive. Because it's thicker, doesn't fill gaps too well.



Doesn't have to be poured thin, but will lose uneven volume if you pour it thick.

Liquitex String Gel

Works pretty much the same way as Pouring Medium, except thicker and not great with gaps.



Has to be poured in thin layers.

Amazing Clear Cast (Resin)

Dries like hard clear plastic and very firm.



Generates heat during the curing process, but didn't appear to damage anything in the test.



I was worried about the heat damaging the border so I used clay, which frosted the edges.



Dried yellowish, despite being sold as their clear option.



Can pour it in one thick layer, unlike other water effects.



* All resins generate heat during the curing process, be careful.

Woodland Scenics Realistic Water (Secret Weapon Miniatures Water)

I found this to work just as well as Pouring Medium, dries clearer fairly fast, great price and designed specifically for this kind of work.



Has to be poured in very thin layers.



Not compatible with other mediums like varnish and gels. (More on that later.)



Questionable performance over the long term and the test mutated on me while packed away. (More on that later.)

I went with the Woodland Scenics Realistic Water

Woodland Scenics on the left, which started perfectly round with a flat top, with a diameter matching the base.

Clear Cast in the middle and right. Tried, without luck, to polish the edges.

Determine the Height of the Water

Create the Border of the Base

Gap Filling

Estimating how much Water Effect is Needed

Find a Level Surface

Woodland Scenics - Realistic Water

Pour a 1/8" thick layer at a time Waiting 24 hours for it to cure between each layer.

Watch for Bleeding

Cleaning up Overfill

VERY carefully, dip the corner of some paper towel in the center (away from the edge) of the water effect. Patiently, allow the liquid to be absorbed. Pull the towel out and use another corner to absorb more.

Since water effect is thicker than water, a paper towel won't absorb as much. If you just stick it in to suck up more, you might spill.

Creating Waves and Ripples

Anything making a large impact on the water:

If it just happened, will have larger splashing and less ripples.



If it happened a bit ago, will have more / larger rippling and less splashing.

Anything making a small impact on the water:

Creates small ripples.

The sculpting gel appears white before it dries clear. The outside dries first, the inside can take a couple weeks to fully clear up.





Creating Ripples

Problems, 4 months later

"Final" Photos

Take a look at my Step by Step page for the entire Hordebloods project .



Here you will find each model broken down into links showing each step:

Concept, Works in Progress, (for both modelling and painting) and Final Shots



