A Lake in North Carolina (Modeling Water)

[davefoxx]

I think I'm ready to pour the "water" in my lake.  I'm planning on using Envirotex Lite (2-part epoxy) for the water, because I do want a smoother surface, rather than a raging river.  I'll either try to tease the surface to introduce some ripples, or I'll add small waves later by using gloss medium.  I successfully poured one river in the past on a previous layout, so I'm not too concerned about how to use the Envirotex Lite.

My question for the forum is about tinting the Envirotex Lite.  On my previous layout, I kept it clear, which worked okay.  Here, I think I want to add a little bit of a green and/or blue tint.  I bought some craft paints, but I don't really know how much to add.  I would guess that it's like food coloring and a little bit goes a long way.  Suggestions?



Oh, and don't worry about how light the very edge of the lake is.  I plan to bring the foliage down to the lake surface, after the Envirotex Lite dries, to hide that meniscus that always climbs the scenery materials.  A good bit of that light sandy color will be hidden by foliage.

Thanks,
DFF

[Philip H]

Dave,
If you tint I'd go slightly green brown, to create the look of suspended algae and tanic acid. I'd also get your wife to do it; owing to your color challenges.

[davefoxx]

You're probably right on both counts, especially getting the missus to help with my colorblindness issues.  Thanks, Philip.

[Chris333]

I would spray those banks with a alcohol/ink mix to tone it down a bit. And yeah I'd go with a light muddy brown/green color.

[davefoxx]

I would spray those banks with a alcohol/ink mix to tone it down a bit. And yeah I'd go with a light muddy brown/green color.

It really is a poor picture.  It's not that bright as it shows above.  Again, a lot of that will be covered with foliage.

DFF

[davidgray1974]

Great Topic!  Definitely looking forward to your progress on this one.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The first lesson I learned about scenery: it's a model too, work from photos.

Got a photo of what you're trying to capture?

[DKS]

The first lesson I learned about scenery: it's a model too, work from photos.

Got a photo of what you're trying to capture?

+1

You probably saw this in the Rivers in Kentucky thread...

[davefoxx]

DKS,

What you posted is the look that I'm going for, except that my body of water is much smaller, so I might tone down the waves a little as compared to yours.  That said, I don't want the "ice rink look" that Envirotex Lite gives either, so I will apply gloss medium for wave action.  I really like the look of your water.  What colors did you use?

DFF

[DKS]

Funny you should think your lake is much smaller--mine is about the size of the palm of your hand.

Colors: the shoreline is a mix of Yellow Ocher, Titanium White and Payne's Grey (carefully mixed to match the talus along the shoreline); the body of the lake is Payne's Grey with some Burnt Umber to warm it up. I feathered the shoreline colors into the body of the lake, and then applied one thick layer of gloss gel. (That's it, no Envirotex--I'd never use the stuff.) You can control the "roughness" of the water at this point in the way you apply the gel, since it retains its shape when it dries.

[davefoxx]

Wow!  I am amazed in the depth you got out of that with just the gloss gel.  I thought you would need a coat of Envirotex to get that effect.  That looks really nice.  Thanks for your help.

Thanks,
DFF

[DKS]

I think it's a get-what-you-pay-for thing. I buy Liquitex Super Heavy Gloss Gel, which is kind of pricey (compared to, say, Mod Podge), but the results speak for themselves.



http://www.dickblick.com/items/00618-2025/

You might consider making your shoreline a little more irregular, as well as the gradation (it looks way too perfect, almost as if it was computer-generated), add some shallows by virtue of lighter-colored areas, and toss in plenty of talus and treefall debris along the shore.

[davefoxx]

I really was just going to bring foliage down to the water to cover the edge of the Envirotex, but your advice is well taken.  I'll see what I have laying around that I can add to detail it better.

I've got a jar of Liquitex Gloss Medium and Varnish that I used on the Virginia Central.  Do I have to worry about that stuff going bad?  Should I get a new jar?  I like the look of your Gloss Gel and wonder if I should try that instead.

This is what the Gloss Medium and Varnish looked like (horribly backlit for effect):


Thanks,
DFF

[Scottl]

I used heavy gel and agree that the effect is convincing and there is no mess or "oops" drainage events with the resin onto the floor.  Plus, it is not a toxic resin...

I second the comment by DKS about the shoreline.  Irregularity is the norm.  Not a great photo, but I was aiming for that here:

[Chris333]

You can always look at Bing maps and find a lake you like to copy.

I'd still tone down and vary the banks, even if that is the correct color.