I’m working on putting in a water feature (pond) on my layout. I’ve been doing a lot of searching and I want to know how to paint the bottom and what colors, and haven’t found much. What I have found is information regarding pouring the water, etc, but no so much on how to start the process.
Where should I look? Thanks in advance.
Depending on depth you are modeling, a dark green or black is often used in the center or deep locations. If your water’s edges are sloped in, use your earth color along the edges of your pond. With both paints still wet blend the area between so that you get a gradual color change from the shore to the darker depths.
If you want to color your water a bit to make it look a bit merky, you can add a drop or two of craft paint to color your water mix for the first pour or two. I used olive green. Most folks seem to leave the last pour or two clear. Remember each pour should be only be about 1/8" thick and 3-5 pours is about all you should need. A deep pond look does not have to have a deep hole in the scenery.
Most good scenery books will have a section on water. Check your local library or hobby shop to see what they have available.
Good luck,
Richard
Also before any bottom painting – Check to see there are “no leaks” where waterbanks meet pond bottom by sealing with caulk. Otherwise, whatever “water” you use, like EnviroTex, could leak onto the floor. See this website for water modeling.
“Water feature?”
You’ve been watching too much HGTV, my friend! [}:)]
In many of the threads you uncovered about pouring “water” there should be some discussions on what color to paint the bottom too.
Either a muddy brown, brownish-green, or the dark green or black mentioned earlier.
Remember most ponds in good shape should have a brackish color to them, or a greenish slime.
Ponds of shallow water may appear clearer, or those with good “cleaning fish” who scour the slime.
[8-|]
So how does a married man actually ever get out of being subjected to this inhumane torture?[:'(]
Brent[C):-)]
I took lots of pictures as I built a swamp on my layout. First, I identified a large, flat area. I use pink foam as a base. I cut into the foam, and gouged out the rough parts you see. The parts that are flat will be above the water level. I added some elevation with scraps of foam, and this picture has some loosely-placed rock castings, too.
The base of dug-out foam is pretty rough, so I use plaster cloth to smooth it all out.
Next, I use a thin slurry-coat of Gypsolite, a gritty plaster, to coat the terrain. I do the same thing for the base of ponds and normal above-ground layers. Gypsolite is naturally gray, so I add some brown craft paint. It gets lighter as it dries, or maybe I didn’t have enough and the plaster cloth is showing through. Here, I’ve started to paint the deep parts with black acrylic craft paint.
I use washes of different shades of green and brown to give variety to the swamp basin and the surrounding land.
Almost ready for water. I’ve still got some bright spots, which need to be touched up with paint. Once you start pouring the water, you won’t be able to get under it, so make sure every bit of bright white plaster cloth is painted or you’ll hate that spot forever.
I use multiple pours of Envirotex LIte for my water. I tint the lowest layer darker than the rest. Here, I used brown to get a very
Well, you’ve already got lots of good advice on building it. [swg]
But to answer your question, I’d suggest that you go look at an actual pond, or, even better, at several different ones. This will give you a good idea of the colours involved and also of the vegetation around them.
One thing that I’d suggest, contrary to the advice already given, is to not make the pond very deep at all. Instead, use the colours which you observe on the real ones to “suggest” deepness. Unless the pond is crystal clear (most which I’ve seen aren’t), successive pours only waste time and material, especially if you add colour to the later pours. Put the colour on the bottom, then pour only enough “water” to level the area and make it look wet.
Wayne
Here’s mine:
About a1/8" of envirotex lite.I agree with Wayne, you can get “depth” with paint.
Terry in NW Wisconsin
I was reminded today of another tip. Go to www.michaels.com or www.acmoore.com and find the coupons. There is always one for 40% off of one item, good for that week. These stores sell Envirotex Lite, which is relatively expensive stuff, so that coupon will save you some money.
Yes, you have to walk past the beads and the St. Patrick’s Day crafts, but craft stores aren’t “just for girls.” They have a stock of balsa and bass wood, glue, acrylic paint, brushes, razor saws, plaster cloth and even Woodland Scenics trees.
You’re absolutely right, Mister B, but often it’s the girls which make the visit even more enjoyable. [swg]
Wayne
Thanks, Wayne. Can’t reply to pm’s.( for some odd reason!)
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Thanks all for your replies. I worked on mine for a long while, corrugated cardboard/plaster cloth/plaster base but didn’t like it so I tore it out and have put down a different base so it’s actually level this time.
One question:
The base I put in is 1 1/2" below the surrounding scenery. Should it be shallower for a better effect? Thanks
That depends. If you’re modeling one of those little farm ponds which are almost level with the surrounding terrain, then yes, you need to bring the bottom up some.
On the other hand, lots of lakes have steeps sides down in, which your current arrangement would work just fine.
The lake I am putting in is (roughly) 16"x24". Just wondering how much envirotex it’s going to take…
If it’s a square lake, 16x24 is 384 square inches. If you fill that to a depth of 1/4 inch, it will take 96 cubic inches of Envirotex. That’s a little over 6 cups, or 48 fluid ounces. Envirotex comes in 32 and 64 ounce packages.
It seems like a lot to me. It probably doesn’t need to be filled to 1/4 inch.
I’ve got an idea of how I can make it look good and not fill the entire thing with envirotex. Thanks.
Using the mentioned copons from Michaels will definitely save you some money.
Envirotex is a two part epoxy. If you don’t mix it, I understand that the components will last a long time. They will be ready and waiting for a small pond or stream in the future. (Share it with a friend who needs a little.)
Good luck,
Richard