How simulate snow on dioramas?

Hello!
I would like have some tricks for making snow on dioramas.

Thanks
Happyhunter

Hey Happy,
You could use baking soda to represent snow. You could also try your local hobby shop because I know theres an aftermarket company that does “snow”.
Right at the moment I want to say Verlinden but I know its not!!. It’ll come to me.
To apply the the snow you could do one of two methods. One spray a coat of gloss or flat then as you go along lay down the snow.
The other way is to use white glue(Elmers glue) mixed w/ water. Same thing as you go along apply the snow.
Once the snow has glued to the base, shack it to see if any access snow comes off then reapply as necessary.
I am sure this in amoung many ways to apply snow to a dio.
Flaps up, Mike

Woodland Scenics is who Butz was thinking of I believe.

http://www.woodlandscenics.com/

go to their landscaping link, then ground cover.

Eric

Hey erush,
Woodland Scenics… thats it. I knew I would remember it[:p][:p].
Wasn’t there another company that did “snow” which came in a small to medium size clear bag that had a greenish cardboard like material that was stapled at the top w/ the name in white I believe? or could that be Verlinden? As you could tell, I have not checked my supplies for my bases in a while[:(][:p]
Flaps up, Mike

Hey Butz [:D]

I think you’re right, again I’m thinking it’s Hudson & Allan Studio you’re thinking of again. I know they make mud and dirt and leaves and stuff so they probably make snow too. Actually I think they have white cardboard on their packaging [:p] Anyway Happyhunter there are a few options out there. I’m pretty sure Verlinden doesn’t sell any materials like that though.

ERic

Mix elmers type (white) glue with some water to a milky consistency.

Apply glue to object with a stiff brush (works best for me)

Sprinkle BABY POWDER over object.

Send a tuft of air over object to remove excess (you may need to cover eyes) :stuck_out_tongue:

its easy. heck try it on a piece of cardboard!

good luck, have fun,

You can also use Talc powder to. The good stuff, like used for casting pewter figures.

Hey! [:D]

Thank you everybody for all tips! [;)]

Happyhunter

What I used to use-

Plaster of Paris, sprinkled through a sieve, then gently misted with a water bottle. Worked great.

To make craters, use old bottle caps, turned upside down, and dusted with the Plaster of Paris, until suitably covered.

Baking powder works great. Just don’t get it wet after the fact. Talc works great or ground gypsum. There have been a few comments recently that baking powder may yellow after a while or dependent on environment. I haven’t seen this yet. What I have seen after an extended period of time though is that it seems to go flat and not have that fluffy look like it has after it is just applied. This may be a result of air humidity. But who knows. I live in Florida so it is a constant problem here. Talc or gypsum is a good substitute and may not have the same adverse effects. Long ago I used to just paint a good coat of white over the celuclay which seemed pretty aestheticly pleasing so I think it comes to preference.

Mike

You could also use Artex (finishing material for walls, a bit like plaster), dunno what its called over your way, I’ve used it on a couple of dio’s and it looks good, even cracks like snow and ice.

I recently did a diorama of a winter scene and I used baby powder and it worked great. Plus it’s probably the cheapest way also

I recall watching a behind-the-scenes documentary for “The Empire Strikes Back” and Dennis Muren said they used Corn Starch for snow in the Hoth scenes.

But they only had a short lifespan in days.

Theres much in that story that’s retry fun, including little pop up holes to move the models in stop action.

Zombie thread too but never out of timliness.

I’ve never made big billowy snowbanks in dioramas, only small scattered snowdrifts but I found that cornstarch looks realistic. It has a very fine scale texture and a slightly transparent surface that makes it look like it is actually frozen water crystals.

Disclaimer: I have never built a diorama, and really know nothing about the subject. But, I do spend a lot of time watching youtube videos about modeling, and a couple weeks ago came across this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNVUHeUR0Fo

I just enjoyed watching it and thought the snow effect on the vehicle was amazing, so I thought I’d share the link. [:)]

Cheers, Mark

Mark, thats what i have started useing for snow and its brilliant stuff. Only used the fine, but going to do a 35th dio next year and will be useing the larger grade.

I am sure if Karl Logan sees this he will jump in with why its not a good idea to use food stuffs for snow. If i remember right, over time, it can damage the plastic on a model. But he knows more about it than me, all i know is i moved away from that method.

Yes zombie thread but thanks Mark.

I’ll look into Krycell, great looking stuff.

Karls experience is that it turns yellow. I’ve exoerienced that with baking soda.

My own caution is that it’ll attract vermin.

I’ve used microballoons in the past