PlaymoFriends

Creative => How-To => Topic started by: bonniebeth on August 06, 2011, 03:44:00

Title: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: bonniebeth on August 06, 2011, 03:44:00

I've had a few requests for a step-by-step on my method of creating water, so here we go.

You will need:
aluminum foil
transparent blue cellophane (it can be found in a party store or sometimes with gift wrap)
a box to cut up; thin cardboard like playmo boxes is best
scissors, tape, and pencil
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_2118.jpg)

Draw out the shape you would like your body of water to be on the cardboard. A simple shape works best, if there are to many little curves, it will be hard to cover it neatly. Then cut out the cardboard.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_2119.jpg)
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_2120.jpg)

Lay the cardboard on a piece of aluminum foil. You will want the shinier side of the aluminum foil to be the side that shows when you finish.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_2121.jpg)

Cut around the cardboard, leaving at least an inch of excess on all sides.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_2122.jpg)

Now very gently crinkle your aluminum foil, being careful not to tear it, to look like waves or ripples. Then smooth it back out and lay it shiny side down.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_2125.jpg)

Place the cardboard in the middle and begin wrapping the foil around it and taping it on the underside. Pull the foil fairly tight, but be careful not to pull it so hard you tear it.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_2126.jpg)

When you finish, the top side should look like this:
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_2127.jpg)

Now cut your piece of blue cellophane, leaving a little more excess on all sides.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_2128.jpg)

Wrap it around the cardboard and tape it, being sure to pull it tightly on all sides.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_2129.jpg)

And here is how it will look:
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_2130.jpg)

It's usually best to line the edges of the water with some gravel or river stones, so that the edges of the water aren't obviously higher than the surrounding land.

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: Wolf Knight on August 06, 2011, 06:31:56

Brilliant technic Bonnie!!! Its really simple and awesome!!!  :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow:

Thank you for sharing it with us, I am sure I'll be using it some time... ;D

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: flatcat on August 06, 2011, 06:41:33

That looks amazing, Bonnie! Thanks for this great picture instructional :wave:

My mum has made water before by painting acetate

Btw, you seem to have committed a small offence along the way! :'( :P

Damo :)

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: tonguello on August 06, 2011, 11:28:36

Oh thank you bb it is a great technic!!!
It photographs so well with the proper light that is probably the best I've seen for dioramas  :love: :love:

@Damo.... I know what you mean  :'(

 :lol:

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: bonniebeth on August 06, 2011, 12:00:29

Glad you like it. Hopefully it can be useful to a few people. BTW, I also did a slighty modified metod in the seal tank last time I set up the zoo, where the seals could be seen swimming under the cellophane.

I take it you two are talking about cutting up the playmobil box. :lol: Yeah, I know. :-[ But since I always recycle boxes, this is a good method of preserving the art on some of my favorites. My large water pieces can be turned over to reveal various box pics. ;D

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: PrimusPilus on August 06, 2011, 13:26:03

KISS principle solution. Me likes it (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/luwerner/gif/thumbs-up.gif)!

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: basilsdad on August 06, 2011, 13:55:37

Great technique, bb.  I love the clear, step by step pictures.   :love:  Thanks so much. 
Joe

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: playmofire on August 06, 2011, 14:13:25

This will be very useful, Bonnie.  Thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: Hadoque on August 06, 2011, 20:19:12

Yes, a good idea! Thanks for explaining!  :)

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: Wesley Myers on August 07, 2011, 02:58:11

You cut up a Playmobil box!!! :o

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: toyologist on August 07, 2011, 04:06:42

Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to trying this. :wave:

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: Luis on August 07, 2011, 17:53:30

oh wow! that is very easy to do :o 8-)

thanks for sharing Bonnie! :)

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: Tiermann on August 08, 2011, 19:43:21

Great technique Bonnie. I will have to give it a try.

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: Indianna on August 09, 2011, 02:53:49

Thanks for the great tutorial, Bonnie.  So simple and yet so lovely when complete - genius!   :love:

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: WarriorOfToys on August 22, 2011, 13:37:03

Thanks for this! I am very excited to try! ;D

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: Giorginetto on September 01, 2011, 10:29:52

I cant see the pic right now but will do when at home !!! sounds very good though !!!! i need to create a sea part for my vikings island of krull ( god knows where i will fit in the den if i also do this ) and i may as well follow you advice BB !!!! will look awesome with the nessie and all the otehr lobvely sea creatures of playmobil too !!!!  :love:

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: MauraDog on September 26, 2016, 06:43:18

What a great idea. Happy I found this.

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: bonniebeth on October 28, 2016, 14:00:24

Thank you, glad you found it useful!

Title: Re: Making Water for Dioramas -- the Foil and Cellophane Method
Post by: Giorginetto on January 09, 2017, 23:23:06

My oldest daughter asked me to say thank you as she did this technique and it was very good and she was very pleased with the result ( lake made was added to her fairy diorama )  :wave: