How to make a small pond look like real water?

I think the easiest way is to spray paint the BOTTOM of a sheet of window glass with dead-flat camo spray paint. Then, paint ripples on the TOP of the glass using glossy Mod Podge.

BTW: That scene is flat against a wall. Can you find the mirror?

I have had great success with Woodland Scenics Deep Pour Water.  It comes in Murky or Clear varieties.

George

I used acrylic paint to paint the bottom, and then put on several layers of glossy Mod Podge, that was very pleasant to work with.

If when you first try it. you're not entirely happy with it, you can do it over and over until you are satisfied.

I found this scenery work to be one of the most enjoyable projects. Arnold

I have used WS Realistic Water and then lightly brushed where needed with mod podge to form ripples.

You can paint the bottom surface to get the "look" you want, but you can also tint the Realistic Water to whatever color you're after.

Depends if you want smooth water or rippling water. For smooth water, I use the two part epoxy EnviroTex available from Michaels.

https://www.michaels.com/envir...inish/M10178984.html

Paint the bottom of your water area going from lighter colors along the edge to darker in the middle to simulate deeper water. Then pour the epoxy according to the instructions. If you want to add some ripples, you can run a heat source over the epoxy as it's curing or add gloss medium to the epoxy after it cures.

@NJCJOE posted:

Depends if you want smooth water or rippling water. For smooth water, I use the two part epoxy EnviroTex available from Michaels.

https://www.michaels.com/envir...inish/M10178984.html

Paint the bottom of your water area going from lighter colors along the edge to darker in the middle to simulate deeper water. Then pour the epoxy according to the instructions. If you want to add some ripples, you can run a heat source over the epoxy as it's curing or add gloss medium to the epoxy after it cures.

Joe, That came out really nice. What a great scene you created.

I came across this awhile ago...my little man and I are looking forward to trying a mock up one of these days using this technique to see how it works out before deciding if we'll try it on our layout:

https://youtu.be/2TwpB7sVMn8

Here's some suggestions from a real novice with scenery:

• As noted above, decide whether you want ripples or smooth surface.
• Either the 2 part EnviroTex or water effects bottles from Woodland Scenics work fine. I've used both.
• Create a prototype.  I attached photos of a prototype pond kit from Woodland Scenics that I did with my grandson. Was fun and exceeded my expectations.  Also created several test pours using the EnviroTex materials with various pigments to determine the color for a harbor scene.

I attached some photos.  Sorry for reflection from lighting on photo of final pond scene.  Could not seem to avoid that.

Have fun!

Michael

Test pours for harbor scene.

Pond prototype from kit.

F

Final scene.

We finally got around to trying out the toilet paper and glue method this weekend on our mock up...got the toilet paper down...we kinda like it...and it was fun for my son.  Next will be the challenge of the paint colors.

After you build it, remember to dust it regularly.

Dust on the water will spoil the effect.

Last weekend my little man and I finally got around to trying out some paint on our "toilet paper" model water...next will be the clear coat.  Might try out a couple more color schemes soon.

The waves look great! JohnA

@RoyBoy posted:

Dust on the water will spoil the effect.

As will smoke.  Just ask Deep Purple.

John

@Craftech posted:

As will smoke.  Just ask Deep Purple.

John

Rock on!

Here's a picture of my harbor area. I  used the white glue and toilet paper method.  Color is Sherwin Williams trout brown with a little flat black mixed in a few places to represent deeper water.

Don't use any light blues unless you're modelling the Caribbean or Mediterranean Seas.

I hear ya regarding the blue Bill...in our case we're modeling our water like Biscayne Bay...on a nice clear sunny day it's pretty blue/blue-gray with some blue-green spots...we went back and forth from our balcony looking at the color while painting...still needs to be a bit more gray I think...but that's what mock ups are for.  Nice to see someone else doing the toilet paper method...we kinda liking the results...and it's fun! 😁

Now we need to find a small o scale motor boat or 2 and some o scale wave runners...thought that would be easier to find

Here in the Midwest,  there is no blue water, except in swimming pools, only brown,  gray, or black. Or that ugly shade of bright green when Chicago dyes the river for St. PATRICK'S day. If the water is REALLY  clear (hah!) and you can see the shallow bottom,  then maybe a sandy color comes through.

For larger water bodies there is the untempered shower door glass.  Paint the underside and you've got built in ripples.  For smaller lakes and ponds you can use the same method.  Hobby Lobby has 12 x 12 textured glass sheets in the stained glass section.

A great way for the topcoat is artist's gloss medium.  It's acrylic, easy to use, slow to dry which allows you to work it as it get gummy, to simulate water movement, and "wavelets", even whitewater around rocks and shore etc.

For larger waves, I've used ordinary clear caulk. Make sure it's paintable.  Put down a 1/4 inch bead, smooth one side into the "water" surface then after a 15-20 minute wait time,  lightly push or roll the top over to make the crest. Paint the lower portion of the waves the color of your water, leaving the crest alone. Then topcoat everything with high gloss varnish or whatever you're using.

You can make long lines of "rollers " coming up to shore.

@coach joe posted:

For larger water bodies there is the untempered shower door glass.  Paint the underside and you've got built in ripples.  For smaller lakes and ponds you can use the same method.  Hobby Lobby has 12 x 12 textured glass sheets in the stained glass section.

Great suggestion coach Joe...I never thought of that method. I may have to make space for another pond now...!

I saw in an older CTT issue that one modeller used aluminum foil (I suppose crinkled up a little first and then smoothed out) for the water surface, and then painted it blue. Looked pretty good in the photo, but I haven't tried it. Very simple.

My first attempt was with aluminum foil,  looked OK.  But you need an enamel paint for proper adhesion. My latex paint eventually separated from the foil and I had to start over. Second time I  went the toilet paper and white glue method.

The aluminum foil trick is great for tunnel liners.  Crinkle, open back up, shape and stick it into the tunnel- then spray it flat black or dark grey.