Epoxy Glue Diorama Water Effects (Cheap + Simple)

Hello! This is a very simple and cheap technique for making various water and fluid effects for dioramas and miniatures, without using resin. All of the supplies used here were around $5 or so, for several different colors.

• 2 part epoxy glue (see picture, usually available at the dollar tree, looks like a syringe with 2 tubes)
• Various cheap acrylic paints, especially blue
• Toothpicks or similar
• Clear nail polish topcoat
• A material as a base (I’m using scrap plastic here, XPS foam and styrofoam, etc, are also very good when working with miniature scenes)

This step is optional, but good for two cases.

1. Fish or similar additions. Simple toothpick markings are great for small fish. You could also use small clay fish if you want highly 3D realism.

2. Very clear or lightly colored liquid. You’ll need to paint the base of the pool an appropriate color or texture if you want water you can see all the way through. Making the center darker is a neat depth trick.

Make sure the paint is completely dry before moving on!

Using a small cup, tray, or spare plastic packaging, put a bit of acrylic paint is the right color(s). Some of the mixes I used are shown above. If you want lightly tinted liquid, use barely any paint, you can add a bit more in a bit.

Squeeze the two part epoxy into your container and quickly mix well. Add more paint if needed with a fresh toothpick. This will start to set immediately, so pour it and spread it (it’s a thick liquid) quickly. Be aware that it will also get somewhat hot from the chemical reactions.

Leave it somewhere flat to cure for at least 10 minutes, wait longer the more you’ve mixed.

There’s a few nice things to add when mixing epoxy, such as glitter, clear beads to make bubbling liquid, fake bones to acid, etc. Here’s one neat effect to try out: ice fractals.

This is actually really simple; dip a toothpick in white paint and dip it into the surface of uncured clear or black epoxy. It’ll naturally spread outward and set in fun ice patterns!

Once it is completely set, the surface may be weak or still sticky to the touch. Use a layer or two of clear nail polish and it’ll be shiny and strong, ready to go!