Hey Vincent If you want loose sand, you can't go wrong with getting a big bag of fine-grit playground/sandbox sand from your local hardware shop. In Canada, I can get a 25kg bag for about $15, so it's super cheap and will literally last you a lifetime. You can apply this with PVA and/or super glue. A neat trick I learned from looking at the military/railroad modellers is that you can actually apply the ground texture first, eyedrop 99% isopropyl alcohol to saturate and basically break the surface tension, and then eyedrop "scenic glue" (3 parts water, 1 part mod podge matte/pva, 2-3 drops of dishwashing detergent). Isopropyl acohol helps the scenic glue saturate the base and when it dries, becomes super rock hard and durable. Great for texturing large areas (ie display bases, terrain, gaming boards, etc.) for cheap. This method also allows you to mix and layer a bunch of different basing "textures" in addition to the sand (so you can sprinkle in some green flock, throw in some tiny stones/pebbles, etc.) either in the same mix, or layered on top after letting the previous dry. An alternative is to look at texture pastes, either from art stores or hobby companies. Vallejo Texture/Diorama Paste is a great one I use all the time. Not too coarse, but requires you to prime and paint it on top. Vallejo and AK Interactive makes a lot of great pre-colored ones that you can pick and choose based on the environment/color/texture you want (wet mud, snow, desert sand, etc). These are a little more expensive though so great for doing bases. I would use the first method above if you're looking at doing a display board+ though.
For gravel I use polymeric sand that's left over from a patio I built 14 years ago. It makes amazing dirt/gravel that can be applied AFTER painting. I don't think anyone should buy a bag for this but if you know anyone building a patio grab a small container and it will last for a long time.
Try out ak rough terrain paste. You can cover that with some sand like you have or add crushed tea leaves and stuff to vary the texture and make all kinds of cool terrain
Really paint jobs! I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me at second wind about what I can do to improve my models
Hey Vincent
If you want loose sand, you can't go wrong with getting a big bag of fine-grit playground/sandbox sand from your local hardware shop. In Canada, I can get a 25kg bag for about $15, so it's super cheap and will literally last you a lifetime. You can apply this with PVA and/or super glue. A neat trick I learned from looking at the military/railroad modellers is that you can actually apply the ground texture first, eyedrop 99% isopropyl alcohol to saturate and basically break the surface tension, and then eyedrop "scenic glue" (3 parts water, 1 part mod podge matte/pva, 2-3 drops of dishwashing detergent). Isopropyl acohol helps the scenic glue saturate the base and when it dries, becomes super rock hard and durable. Great for texturing large areas (ie display bases, terrain, gaming boards, etc.) for cheap. This method also allows you to mix and layer a bunch of different basing "textures" in addition to the sand (so you can sprinkle in some green flock, throw in some tiny stones/pebbles, etc.) either in the same mix, or layered on top after letting the previous dry.
An alternative is to look at texture pastes, either from art stores or hobby companies. Vallejo Texture/Diorama Paste is a great one I use all the time. Not too coarse, but requires you to prime and paint it on top. Vallejo and AK Interactive makes a lot of great pre-colored ones that you can pick and choose based on the environment/color/texture you want (wet mud, snow, desert sand, etc). These are a little more expensive though so great for doing bases. I would use the first method above if you're looking at doing a display board+ though.
I like the basing sand from gale force 9. They sell it in different grit sizes.
For sand for bases, paving/paver sand from the hardware store, just bake it in the oven at low heat to drive out the water/moisture.
For gravel I use polymeric sand that's left over from a patio I built 14 years ago. It makes amazing dirt/gravel that can be applied AFTER painting. I don't think anyone should buy a bag for this but if you know anyone building a patio grab a small container and it will last for a long time.
That Namor model.... I've fixed him like 3 times now and he's now got Thor's extra hammer.
Your poor namor!
Good luck!
Thanks. I came close losing to the eventual winner in semis.
Try out ak rough terrain paste. You can cover that with some sand like you have or add crushed tea leaves and stuff to vary the texture and make all kinds of cool terrain
I will have to try it I have their beach sand and used it on my beach cabal.