Experimenting with Craft Foam

[Wirelizard]

I was in Michael's craftstore a few days back, and picked up a 12x18 sheet of "Creatology Foam Sheet" - it's designed for kiddie crafts, 2mm or so thick, and available in a wide variety of (mostly awful) colours. I snagged a white sheet to experiment on, figuring if it didn't take paint or otherwise work out, I was out nothing but $1.50 for the sheet and a bit of time.

It will hold paint - both cheap craftpaint and Reaper acrylic paint took nicely and seems to hold - it might be possible to rub the paint off, but that still takes more friction than moving figures around is ever going to generate!

It also takes embossing - I cut 1"x12" strips and 'scored' lines in it for curbs and expansion gaps, and it should make very servicable sidewalks for pulp skirmishing, at a fraction the cost of styrene while being more durable than card.

Basecoated, it hasn't warped, so that removes my last worry about painting this stuff! I've cut and basecoated 24" of sidewalk already, and I'll create more during the week until I have enough to do a bunch of roads on a Rattrap-sized 2'x2' table.

Being flexible, it's not perfect for scenic bases on more involved scenery bits, but alleyways and maybe even grassy bits should work on it - I'll have to see how the stuff takes white glue. That same flexibility means no frayed corners on the sidewalk pieces, though.

Here's the stuff in Michael's online catalog - you can't buy it online from them, however.

Pictures in a day or two, and I'll try and get some WiP shots as well.

[tima113]

Sounds good, I'll need to try the sidewalk technique after you post some pics.

I've made river sections from the craft foam. There used to be a "how-to" website on the process, but I think it's gone. Steps are to 1) cut the royal blue foam into the river shape, 2)wet the foam sections, 3)paint the sections with watered down black, grey and blue paint to produce a flow pattern. Allow all sections to dry before adding banks of sand/flock to the edges.

Wetting the foam allows the paint to wick into the foam and it forms a decent flow pattern. Keep varying the amounts of black grey and blue until you are happy with the end product. I've got 10-12ft of 8 inch wide river completed so far. Currently planning some turns so the river can snake back and forth across the board for a winding river.

[Hammers]

Craftfoam, is it the same as balsa foam or is it akin to the material oases (correct plural form?)?

[Wirelizard]

Craftfoam, is it the same as balsa foam or is it akin to the material oases (correct plural form?)?

Oasis is the green crumbly stuff used for flower arranging, usually seen in blocks.

The balsa foam I've seen on the web (not yet seen it for real) is also in blocks, and seems to be somewhere between oasis and actual balsa wood in consistency - tougher and less crumbly than oasis.

The craft foam I've got is a sheet, about 2mm thick. It's some sort of closed-cell foam, sort of dense; it flexes without cracking, though. It's got a feel somewhat similar to neoprene, the stuff wetsuits are made out of, a bit slick but still with texture to it.

I've seen it used commercially for fridge magets, kid's toys, and even on birthday cards. Michael's is also full of craft kits and pre-cut shapes, too.

[warrenss2]

Hi, Wirelizard.

I followed a link to this topic from your post in the Homemade Tombstones & Headstones of the Gothic Horror section.

This stuff sounds interesting.

Have you gotten any pictures of what you've done with it yet?

I'd really like to see them.

[warrenss2]

Is it okay to "bump" this?

I really like to have an answer to my question.

[Wirelizard]

Sorry, saw this yesterday but didn't have a chance to respond.

I haven't taken any pictures yet; I'll try to get some later this week of the sidewalks and alleyways I've done.