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I am looking for assistance in basing with snow materials. I am starting a new imperial guard army and was hoping to do snow and an arctic feel to the bases. I bought some of the snow flashing but when I applied the glue to the base and put the snow on it, it just doesn't look all think and fluffy like the stuff you see here. Anyone have an idea as to why or a link to a good tutorial?

If you apply snow flock like ground cover, you'll just end up with white ground cover. To get that thicker deposit, many (if not most) people mix their chosen snow product directly with glue and apply it as a paste (there are also specific products you can use to build the mounds up, instead, like Woodland Scenics Flex Paste). Sprinkling a final layer of flock on top of those mounds gives it the fluffy look of freshly accumulated snowfall, while leaving the snow-glue surface showing gives a slightly denser, icier look. Varnishes can further tweak the effect (fluffy snow is more matte, icier snow more gloss).

What type glue would you suggest? Super glue or a flock/elmers mix?

White glue. brand does not matter but use white glue. Its really the best for anykind of basing work and flock

Sweet, I am sure the first iteration will be an abomination lol. So just paint the base, the mix my flock and white glue, how much glue to flock or is it a personal pref thing?

For what it's worth, I use white caulk - a friend gave me the idea. He uses things like toothbrush bristles painted brown for dead grass, but I quite like the look of the caulk by itself (using an old paintbrush to give it shape). One of the few photos I've posted has a Grey Hunter based this way. Not the best photo, but it will at least give an idea of an option.

This will answer all of your questions: http://fromthewarp.blogspot.com/2010/01/details-8-ways-to-base-with-snow.html

I used woodland scenics and old fashioned elmers white glue at about a 75/25 mix, came out wonderful. Once I manhandled the snow onto the base I added more loose snow to give it that fluffy look I must say I am quite happy with the outcome. I will post a picture of the final result soon.

The snow


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I don't know why it keeps posting sideways either

Bicarbonate of soda, pva glue, a little water is the tactic I use mainly due to cost.

The GW flock just gets used up so very quickly, whereas Bicarb is readily available for masses less.

I'm not sure where you're based but in the UK we have Bicarbonate of Soda (get the tube of own-branded stuff from any supermarket @£0.75 rather than the Dr Oetker stuff as its too grainy) which is inert and cheap! Gives a good effect too.

You can add it to bases easily and it'll dry nicely, then you can use a little more watered pva to move and prod it around, poke holes in it once its set a bit. Add more water for a flatter effect like a fresh coating, add more Bicarb for some texture.
If you have a look through most of my gallery you'll see this is what I use religiously now, its durable to knocks and doesn't make much of cleaning mess (don't use a new brush with it though).

The only thing that might dissuade you is that I think Baking powder discolors and people sometimes confuse the 2, I can't find any photographic evidence of it however.

Textured snow - less water

Flatter snow - more water

Buildings

Not sure about price but it's a nice look

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJOjBDC5b4k

I use GW flock and GW water effects instead of PVA, add water for sloppier snow.

Heres how Ive done the basing for my eldar army, starting with the bare base



I then add small rocks (gravel works great and you can find it anywhere) and army painter highland tufts, which can be found here
http://shop.thearmypainter.com/products.php?ProductGroupId=3

I paint the stones black and drybrush with dawnstone and administratum grey
I also paint the top of the base white, which keeps the black from showing through. On larger bases, ill paint some areas in a light blue/turquoise to add some depth to the snow



I mix roughly 25% white paint, 25% white glue and 50% soft flake snow from woodland scenics. The mixture has the consistency of tooth paste. If its a little watery or im trying to add some filler, (usually on larger bases or building snow banks) ill add some baking soda.
Snow flock here: http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/sn140/page/1
I use an old brush or a sculpting tool to apply the mixture to the base. The mixture will be thick, so think of the process as sculpting rather than painting. I make sure to get the snow into the tufts to gife the grass a more natural look. I then use matte varnish to seal the entire base.



Here's what a finished base looks like.

A word of warning, though. Some pva glues, even if they say they dry clearly, will yellow once they are completely dry, which can make the snow yellow in appearance. I paint the top of the base and add paint to the mixture to keep the snow as white as possible, but you may still see some yellowing over time.