Hello. I am in the process of installing some waterfalls using Woodland Scenic Water Effects. So far it seems to be easy to work with and test results look good.
My question. What is the best method to tint the water. I am trying to get close to what is shown in the attached photo. My waterfalls won't be anywhere near that high but the tea color is what I would like to copy.Should I tint the WE when it is fresh with a very light acrylic paint and wait till it dries or can I tint it when the WE is in place. I would prefer to tint in place if possible so I can control the color. However a wash would run quickly.
Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated,
Thanks,
Tom
I have never done this, so just a suggestion. The water from the brink is the "tea" color, so I would start with that. The foam can be dry brushed on when it has set. This is the method that most modelers use to simulate rapids or rough waters.
I would love to visit that location and just sit there all day.
I have done rapids, so maybe you could use my technique. I started with Envirotex which was "the" thing to use at the time. Anyway, pour or brush on the first coat of water. (You should model the cliff face first.) After the first coat is dry, paint some streaks of the color you want onto the water. Then add another coat of water and let it dry. Apply some more paint streaks, maybe using the same color but a different shade. Continue layering the falls up this way until it looks right to you. You can stop anywhere you want, but always end with the last coat being water effects. Building up the layers this way gives some depth to the water and the streaks are at different layers that combine to make the overall effect. I would have a tendency to do a practice run on scrap material first, and keep notes. That way you can see when you may have gone too far or used the wrong colors.
Hope this helps,
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Thanks for the reply.
I'm trying some similar techniques. I'll keep you informed of my progress.
- Harry
The color is a combination of the terrain behind the water being viewed through the clear water, and silt from the riverbed being washed over the falls, so the color is obvious. It is the color of the riverbed and terrain.
If it was my project, I would take some of the water effect, and add a very small amout of the paint I used on the terrain with an eyedropper to slightly tint the water effect prior to applying it to the falls.
I would then put untinted water effect over the top of it later.
I have absolutely no doubt that some of the scenery masters who hang out in here will have other ideas. I have learned agreat deal reading their posts.
I will be interested to see what YOU decide to try, and how it turns out.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
http://www.start.ca/users/mharris/waterfalls/kakabeka-falls.html
Here's a link to the falls. This photo has a different tint to the falls. Must depend on light and water conditions.
Thanks to all replies I have a few ideas I'll be working on. I'll post a photo when I think it's done to my satisfaction...Now that could be a while...LOL.