How do you make snow?

[Donna_T]

All,
You'd think that with an unheard of, record setting 20" of snow on the ground here, and having been home for 5 SNOW DAYS, the last thing I'd want to know is how to make snow. However, I'm finishing a carving where the subject will be standing on snow--it's actually going to be the base that the subject is carved out of as opposed to the subject carved and set upon a separate piece of something (like Corian or marble or a piece of wood painted white). I've asked one of my fellow carvers what they've used and will ask here what you folks have had good luck with in the past.

The only time I did this in the past--perhaps 15 years ago--was with a product that was painted on, (I think I got it at Hobby Lobby) but when spayed with the typical Deft or whatever top coat, it turned quite YELLOW. That's what I'm wanting to avoid.

So, what have you used successfully? Looks like snow, won't turn yellow, adds to the carving, but not detracts from it, and can be successfully applied right up to the edge of the figure?

Thanks for the help and advice. You've never let me down in the past--so I'm hoping for lots of possibilities from lots of experienced carvers.

Donna_T

[carver6]

Donna,
I remember Lynn Doughty carved a native American a while back standing in snow. I can't remember (senior moment) what the material he used was but it looked very realistic, at least in the photos. You might check his web site as I think he showed how it was accomplished.
See ya!!!
Garon

[Merle Rice]

Hi Donna, I got Snow-Tex , by Decoart, at Target, works pretty good. Merle

[JoeVM]

I've been pleased with snow-tex too, but I never tried to put any finish over it.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

The thing I've always had against the fake snow products you can buy at Hobby Lobby and other places is how phony they look on the figure once they're applied. The main reason for this is scale. You have to remember that snow when reduced to the size of a figure really has no texture other than being white. Naturally, if you're carving a minature song bird that might not be the case but still it would probably only look like rough white...certainly not textured in any way.

I use MDF (Medium Density Fiber Board). If you go to this link: https://picasaweb.google.com/lynnodo...TheWinterRobe# You can see how I use this product to simulate snow. It's quite easy...In this case I traced the outline of the figures feet onto a piece of MDF, cut the openings and then carved the base so it wouldn't be even anywhere. After that the secret is to sand the h*** out of it to get it as smooth as possible. To paint it I gave it a couple coats of heavy primer and then use that new spray paint out now meant for plastic furniture. It dries pretty quick so you can give it several coats in a day and it dries almost flat which is perfect. Then it's just a matter of slopping some white paint on the bottof the figure where it would pick up some snow. The snow on the shoulders and hat was made with a toothbrush dipped into white with a little extra help from a dab or two by brush. One important thing to remember is to mask off any areas you don't want splattered with some masking tape. Splattering snow is a one time thing that can't be done over so you have to get it right the first time.

Hope this helps in someway!

[Paul_Guraedy]

Donna, I am in the process of using Liquitex Modeling Paste to form lichen on rocks. This stuff is white and stays that way. I have thought, but not actually acted on, the possibility of using it for snow.

The main problem I have with snow in a carving is that it looks too smooth. The surface of snow is smooth; but, is somewhat granular in look. I was wondering about using the Modeling Paste as a binder and white sand blown onto it to get the granular effect. Anyway, as I said, have not tried it but intend to....in the meantime I'm tired of this stuff. We have ice covered with snow right now and don't know when we will get out of Hoppin Hollow. Had to hang around (health concerns) instead of heading to the desert for the winter. You goin to War Eagle?

[Donna_T]

Hi Paul and thanks to all of you (and Charlie) for the hints on snow. I'll keep gathering until I can try several of them on a sample board. Garon, it's good to see that you're still alive and kicking in Springfield.

Last Saturday, we set a new all time record high temp of 78. Tuesday, we set a record on amount of snow in one day--19"--then record lows--then added 2 more inches of snow on Friday. Can hardly wait to see what this week's 60% chance of snow will bring. Good thing about having 4 snow days--I GOT TO CARVE!

I want to try making lichen. But like carving, the painting is more daunting than the making. I, too, wondered about sand sprinkled and painted white--or even coarse
sawdust glued onto the carving base.

I'm hoping to do Miami and War Eagle. Both are great times to get away after the rush of getting a new school year started. Need to get the dates on my calendar and requests for vacation time. I always lose vacation time cause I can't get away, but as I get closer to retirement, I'm trying to not let that happen again.

Stay warm and get healthy!!

Donna_T

[decoysales]

Donna,
The best thing I've ever used was artifical snow that you can get at Van Dykes taxidermy supplies. It looks like snow and all you have to do is put some glue where you want it then pour the artifical snow on the glue and build it up to the way you want it.

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by Donna_T

All,
You'd think that with an unheard of, record setting 20" of snow on the ground here, and having been home for 5 SNOW DAYS, the last thing I'd want to know is how to make snow. However, I'm finishing a carving where the subject will be standing on snow--it's actually going to be the base that the subject is carved out of as opposed to the subject carved and set upon a separate piece of something (like Corian or marble or a piece of wood painted white). I've asked one of my fellow carvers what they've used and will ask here what you folks have had good luck with in the past.

The only time I did this in the past--perhaps 15 years ago--was with a product that was painted on, (I think I got it at Hobby Lobby) but when spayed with the typical Deft or whatever top coat, it turned quite YELLOW. That's what I'm wanting to avoid.

So, what have you used successfully? Looks like snow, won't turn yellow, adds to the carving, but not detracts from it, and can be successfully applied right up to the edge of the figure?

Thanks for the help and advice. You've never let me down in the past--so I'm hoping for lots of possibilities from lots of experienced carvers.

Donna_T

I made a carving a number of years ago that needed snow. I probably used the same stuff that you did, but DID NOT apply a top coat and it did not turn yellow.

[northwood bob]

It looks like the artificial route has been discussed to length. Having said that, lets lean toward controlling the grain of a carved piece. When trying (lets say attempting) to form a granular or sandy (see Lynn's comment) surface, I have used a coarse rasp in my rotary tool. This leaves a surface mottled with fuzz. Brush teh fuzz with a brass brush and it leaves a smooth surface with a granular pattern. You can control the direction of the pattern as well as teh amount of fuzz. rasp either with, against the grain or in a specific direction. I did a carving of a Cocker Spanial several years ago with this effect. Looking at it, the method could very easily be used for sand, grass or snow. It might be worth a try

Bob