Snow?? What do you use?

Modeling Subjects Dioramas
1

Hey everyone. I am looking to see what unique ideas you have for replicating snow. I know there are commercial media out there and that would be easy. What I am trying to find is what have you found to be the best, most realistic , stuff.

I have some builds coming up that I want to replicate snow in various stages.

Thanks

2

“Snow” by Woodland Scenics does it for me even in 1/72nd scale. I’ve used it once, love it and will use it again. Beware that some stuff available out there contains glass particles that can kill you unless you’re in an airtight room with breathing apperatis on and dressed from head to toe in some sort of ‘zoot suit’.

Not the best photography…

3

I have got some of this stuff, but have not tried it yet. But everyone recommends it. Thats a nice job you have done with it mini. Do you apply glue on top of it to keep it in place.

4

While I haven’t used it as such, I can see where Woodland Scenics snow would do well built up on the ground.

But when I tried putting it on the Panzer IV I recently finished off, the individual flakes were way out of scale and it just made everything look fake.

I ultimately used a slurry of Future, talcum powder, and WS snow (for a little sparkle) to replicate melting/refreezing snow/ice and was far happier with the results.

Still love to find something that works better as fresher snow. Talcum isn’t bad, but it’s so friggin’ dead flat. The WS stuff has the look right, I just think it doesn’t hold up well in smaller doses. At least in my experience.

5

I secong Woodlands Scenics Snow. I have used it a few times and it looks great. Here is an example.

6

After much experimentation, I am not a fan of the Woodland Scenics stuff, or any of the micro balloon products. The particles look much too large and awkward in any scale below 120mm, in my opinion… unless you want to replicate some hail. I got loads of it, and am gonna get rid of it.

You haven’t mentioned where you want to place the snow. If it’s covering a vehicle, I might consider working with white pastels or pigments. Very fine power. Position it as desired, and then seal it.

if it is groundwork, I use Plaster of Paris or Hydrocal. This is not only the most realistic looking method in my opinion, plaster is the cheapest as well. Place it where you want it, and then spritz it from above with a water bottle or an airbrush. Don’t need to completely soak it, it’ll do it’s job. You can come back later with an air can or empty airbrush and gently blow away any excess. I like the results:

HTH

7

Thanks everyone. I am a fane of WS material. I was just seeing if anyone had “household item” ideas. I have heard of guys using flour and baking soda. (much cheaper than WS).

Good point about the “glass” in some material. I do have some filter mask for resin work, but don’t want the hassel. I will have to look at what I buy.

Steve: I mainly build in 1/72 (aircraft). I have a couple WWII russian and German a/c that I was looking at placing in snow. I also have some armor in the same scale to play around with. That being said I wouldn’t mind doing some mini-dios with a few 1/35 scale figures etc.

Thanks everyone. Keep the info coming!

8

Be careful with household foodstuffs like baking soda, flour, sweet-n-low, etc. These items can (and usually do) yellow over time and can be eaten by bugs. I would stick with the inert modeling snow items.

9

Steve that is a great tip and the results look really good. Thanks for sharing it.