AgentP Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 My tyranids are based in a rocky snow theme. I've always made my snow by mixing snow flock with hobby glue and applying. It tends to look really good for a month or two. But I've found, however, that over time the snow looks less fluffy, and begins to look more like a spit bug threw up. (Which I suppose is a tyranid theme all its own) Anyone know a trick for keeping the snow fluffy looking? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestRider Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 I've just started using snow effect on my Space Wolves, so I'll let you know if mine holds up better. Rather than mixing, tho, I just put glue down and then sprinkled the snow on top. I'm using GF9 snow, just for reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torg Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 yes - I've been stuck on a snow theme for quite a long time… (hope to change that soon) … anyhow I do as westy states - put glue down (sometimes diluted slightly with water) first… then I put the snow mix in a shallow bowl and "dip" the figures base through the snow… tap off lightly and set aside to dry. I only recently started using some different snow products… one is the GW stuff which I found to be kinda "bulky" or too big?… if you understand that description. I also have tried the "army painter" brand which seemed to better to me. I also ordered the "ground glass" snow from CMON - but I have yet to try that. All the snow I use has tended to brush off over time - its been 5-6 years for some of it - it still looks ok to me - but if I were to put some of the figures into a display case long term - I would probably redo them. In the past I used some stuff I got from CMON years ago… "tri-star" or something was the brand…. it is a very fine powder - awesome stuff… micro-beads of some kind. But I am running out of it and can't seem to find it to buy anymore. Lastly - when doing "snow themed" I use powders - currently I use the make-up style from Tamiya… the powder gives a nice frosty look to the figures …near the snow areas (legs… etc). I also use it on the wind blown edges as well to pull together the entire snow effect. -d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottshoemaker Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 I dig a multi product approach. White glue and baking soda as the base, then add your powdery snow to the blob while still wet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swan-of-War Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 How about for a heavy-use sorta piece like terrain? Was thinking of getting that snowy Fat Mat and want to theme my hills, buildings, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinx Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 Its all about a multi layering effect with snow. I am doing a free workshop at Mythic Realm Games in Salmon Creek on the 3rd Saturday of every month if you wanna come and have a look. I have messed around with snow bases for years and finally found a method of layering the snow products to make them look pretty awesome. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestRider Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 Its all about a multi layering effect with snow. I am doing a free workshop at Mythic Realm Games in Salmon Creek on the 3rd Saturday of every month if you wanna come and have a look. I have messed around with snow bases for years and finally found a method of layering the snow products to make them look pretty awesome. Yeah, I wasn't entirely happy with the results I got from one go, but I was on a deadline, so I left them at that for the moment, but I've been thinking about ways to build up a couple of layers for a better effect. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalmer Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 Hello there, My son puts his Space Wolves on snow bases. We use white sand from Michaels, the sparkly kind. It's like $ 3.00 for a huge bag. Glue goes down on the base, dip the mini and it's so far been very durable, looks snowy AND has lil' icy nuggets in it, covers well and catches light in neat ways. Stay safe, don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathonicus Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 I did an IG army in snow, and the best snow effect I found was to make a glue, paint, and baking soda mix and paste in on the bases, then dust it with more baking soda while it was still wet, and blow off the excess. The underlayer of the paste gives it body, and the dust layer makes it look powdery. Once thoroughly dry, a spray sealant will help keep it intact, but it will still be susceptible to wear. Looks great, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne_Cobbb Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 That is just what I do for my army.the extra baking soda keeps its powder look, and the seal keeps it there. Water, white paint, white glue, baking soda. Power baking soda over the gloooooop and wait untill it is good and dry. Then seal well For extra fun, get some gloss varnish, and hit the edges of the snow piles,like parts are melting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestRider Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 I've heard people say that baking soda can yellow over time. Have you guys noticed any of that? That's why I ended up shelling out for actual snow flock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne_Cobbb Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 That's why you mix the white paint into the goop, and seal it. My bases have been done for three years. Still are great. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestRider Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Ah, so that's the key. I'm pretty sure the guys I heard that from were just using glue and baking soda, no paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esperatus Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 From what I have read, it is the white glue that yellows, if you use PVA then in theory there is no problem. Snow seems a matter of taste more than anything. I liked the Secret Weapon tutorial because then have comparison photos. Personally I like the snow flock for model rail roads (shredded plastic) mixed with PVA glue and water effects to make a slushy putty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esperatus Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 http://imgur.com/AvXIihk of course nothing like the real thing, you get the feel, the whole melt experience, the bite of cold, etc. not practical, but hey who wouldn't go the extra distance for realism? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy'sLawyer Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 I was thinking of doing a spring snow feel for my Orcs with just a patch left here and there. Now being from Michigan I will say that if you want realism snow isn't very fluffy after a couple of days. It hardens slightly and has more of a smooth shine effect and towards spring it is clumpy with bits of dirt and other bits showing on the top melted side. Not a clean look but more like the real thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestRider Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 That's a good point. Since my bases just have patches of snow over rock, it's probably actually pretty fitting that it's sort of melted-down looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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