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Hi there, I'm starting a small Ultramarines force with the polar fortresses of Macragge in mind, and to achieve this I've bought Mourn Mountain Snow and Praxeti White (as recommended by GW), however I wondered if anyone could suggest a third paint to use to make it that little more detailed? For example a wash before the drybrush.

Also what colour looks good for the rim of a snow base?

Thanks, and sorry if my wording is poor

You could put a couple dabs of brown with yellow grass in them, representing the snow melting and some mud/yellow grass peeking out.

Crushed glass or some powder type snow flock or baking soda (I think). Mix with PVA and water (the ratio will determine how fluffy the snow will appear (the wetter the slushier)), apply the paste to a base when done then tease it a touch with a tooth pick. It helps if you paint the areas to be covered in snow white or a light blue.

n0t_u wrote:Crushed glass or some powder type snow flock or baking soda (I think). Mix with PVA and water (the ratio will determine how fluffy the snow will appear (the wetter the slushier)), apply the paste to a base when done then tease it a touch with a tooth pick. It helps if you paint the areas to be covered in snow white or a light blue.

Great ideas!

Also, snow bases tend to yellow from people touching them (people that see something shiny and rub dirty, grubby hands all over them). I suggest adding things that look sharp like barbwire and broken glass. It'll force people to grab them by the base instead. Sounds a bit odd but a player at our FLGS does this and it preservers his hard work.

For the Rim of the snow bases I prefer Codex Grey or Graveyard Earth on Muddy snow bases. Depends on the effect I'm trying to get.

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When making snow using PVA and baking soda, add a bit of white paint in the mix. It'll stop the yellowing "snow" problem.

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Thank you everyone for the replies, however I was hoping for something a little more quick'n'easy - I already have the snow itself (texture paint) and will be drybrushing it white, what I was wondering was if there was another paint I could add to make it better. E.g. would a wash of Lothern Blue (the new Ice Blue) work?
I'm going for a thick snow effect, not a drying muddy one, as I want to imply an arctic theme.

Sorry I wasn't explicit enough

@Chi3f: Codex Grey sounds good, unless that implies more muddy than thick snow.

You can make snow with PVA glue, flour and a little of water.
Later add more flour on it.

Not sure if I'd really attempt to use crushed glass personally.

i wouldnt use codex grey as the snow will look dirty i would use a mix of blue and purple washes then dry brush over with white .

Thanks everyone for posting, it's really helped

Well if you want to stick with what you already have I'd say a thin blue wash would be best.

As for the crushed glass it comes as a powder like the other snow flocks, the only difference is it has more of a sparkle to it. For those who didn't understand and took it the wrong way.

Thanks, I probably will use a thin blue wash, however I am planning on getting some terrain and will use the techniques described in this thread (so, so many ) to make some extra-special snow effects on them. Thanks to everyone again

You can make great icicles by heating up clear plastic rod and stretching it,
Look up the streched sprue method online and use clear rod.
The crushed glass I use is sold by secret weapon.

For what you are trying to do yes a blue wash will work good.
I would make 2 one using watered down ice blue and one with watered down blue wash then drybrush over and see what works best for your paint sceme.
I'd paint the rim Fortress Grey.

Use bits of debris, chopped up sprue, small stones or anything else that looks suitable, and then apply what ever it is that you are using for snow on top of it while leaving the odd patch showing through in areas which are likely to be bare of snow such as vertical surfaces. This will look natural as well as making your bases more three dimentional and interesting.

Also, you can blob some GS on the base, paint it white, and then put your flocking on top of that. You'd get the added benefit of being able to make it look like the marines are actually standing IN the snow, rather than only on top of it.

Oh, and the best side-base color would probably be a fortress or space wolves grey.

Ailaros wrote:Also, you can blob some GS on the base, paint it white, and then put your flocking on top of that. You'd get the added benefit of being able to make it look like the marines are actually standing IN the snow, rather than only on top of it.

Oh, and the best side-base color would probably be a fortress or space wolves grey.

Spackle or joint compound is cheaper than greenstuff and works just as good, if not better. It dries whitish, bonds well with pva glue, and can be easily shaped into drifts with a butterknife.