I learned my technique from Nov 2004 FineScale Modeler Magazine, pg 80
Materials: [available at craft stores like Hobby Lobby]
· Board you're using for your base - if staining it, do so before steps below
· Kitchen aluminum foil (Reynolds Wrap, etc)
· Spray paint in color you want your water (dark blue, sea green, etc.)
· Mod Podge Gloss Luster - dries clear; used for decoupage; basically thick white glue in a jar
· Heavy clear acrylic gel medium - I use Liquitex brand - comes in a jar. Dries to a hard finish.
· White and Gray Acrylic Paint - thick, artistic type - I use Delta Creative Ceramcoat, 2 oz.
· Large soft brush
Steps:
1. Cut foil piece slightly larger than the base board
2. Gently ruffle or crinkle the foil, which will simulate waves and swells (less is more!)
3. Lay the foil on a flat surface; position ship model (or water line base) where you want it and push it in; adjust/re-ruffle as necessary, and remove model.
4. Spray-paint the foil the desired color(s) - experiment with shading/adding depth by applying 2-3 complementary colors, e.g., grayish blue, aquamarine, etc. Let dry completely.
5. Brush Mod Podge onto the entire base board and the unpainted side of the foil
6. Attach/press the foil to the base board; obviously it won't touch everywhere; will have high & low spots for waves, swells, etc.; re-set the ship again and re-adjust the waves as appropriate. Again, less is more. Wipe excess that oozes at the edges and once you have it the way you want it let it dry completely.
7. Apply heavy coat of Mod Podge where ship will go and position it in the MP. If not flat/making contact everywhere (which is fine if modeling with a list, etc.) carefully fill the voids with MP. Let dry completely. (few hours at least)
8. Apply MP liberally to rest of water surface area with large soft brush; do a few coats letting them mostly/tacky dry in between to add depth working the brush in direction of the waves to accentuate/enhance them. Let dry.
9. To create white caps, and wake/foam/spray at bow, stern and along the sides: Add teaspoon of white acrylic paint and a few drops of gray to tone it down to some 1/8 cup acrylic gel medium and mix thoroughly. I do it in a plastic butter tub or yogurt cup, etc. Let is "set up" a little.
10. Apply this mixture with an old paint brush, #11 blade, etc., Work from the ship out and from bow to stern. The type and speed of the vessel will inform the size and shape of the wake; check references. Build up the wake, spray, and foam as appropriate. Then, if depicting rough seas, top of larger waves with white tops. Tips: I add a layer of MP over topped waves and then top them again to add depth; applying a glob then quickly pulling the brush up and away opposite the direction of the wave or wake gives a nice realistic effect.
Note: I laid down the waterline base first, so after I put the ship on the waterline base, I went back and touched in “foam” along the sides of the ship.
Good Luck!
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