This will be a first for me, so I need some advice. I am creating a small pond and intend to use casting resin for the water. It will be approximately 8" x 3" and maybe 3/4" deep. The question: What color (or colors) should I paint the bottom before pouring the resin? Thanks for any info!
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I used black, to look deep, with tan edges, and a tan wash near that. Someone had mentioned that water on a clear day looks black, when not reflecting the sky.
On my HO layout, I used a dark green, which reminded me of the tidal Hudson River, near where I lived. I still like that, too. Both were coated with gloss medium.
Thank you, Sir!
You’re welcome, Papa Dave. Look on this forum for other ideas.
Artie, what stretch of the Hudson was that? It's tidal all the way up to a waterfall near Albany.
2 questions to ask yourself,
How deep is the pond? A 12X32X3 foot is small so the light would shine almost right through to the bottom.
What is the bottom supposed to be? Sand or mud? All sand would have a tan color,mostly clear visibility, mud will be brown and opaque .
Stay away from blues unless you are modelling a swimming pool.
woodland scenics youtube page will show you everything you need to know
Here is a lake I built on my N gauge layout that is a little bigger than what you are looking to do. It is only about 1/2" deep. How you color the bottom will determine how deep it looks. Use darker colors in the middle slowing lightening towards the outer edges. Adding stones, twigs and debris will add interest as well.
Joe...Beautiful work. Thanks for the visual.
@NJCJOE is correct. You should use your painting technique to create the depth. This pond is only 1/4” deep. The photos aren’t very good, but might help with the idea. After pouring and curing, I used modge podge to create some wind/wave appearance. I found an early photo(third one)of the start of the pond. It demonstrates the depth of the pond from the surface of the foam board.
Coach Joe, I grew up in Hoboken, which was relatively near the Hudson’s mouth, but fished from the Narrows (mouth) up through Kingston. I fished for striped bass on my lunch hour, when I worked in Fort Lee, NJ, under the George Washington Bridge.
Re: color question.
It really depends on what color you think water should be and if you want things in the water.
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