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Right, so as I near completion of the first chunk of the construction of my Skaven Army, there is one glaring question: When do I flock the base? The models are already glued to the base itself. In years past, I've always flocked after finishing the painting on the model; However, It seems like it would be wiser to flock the models with sand NOW, and THEN prime them, that way the primer seals the sand/very small rocks in place on the base.

When do YOU flock your bases, and why?

Depends. If I want a real purdy lookin' base then I'll glue flock (hate sand) to the base, then prime and paint it, then add scatter. If I'm going quick and easy (which I'd recommend for Skaven ) then I'd get a flock I like the look of and glue it on as the end product, then add scatter. A layer of varnish will hold it on tight.

Flocking is the very last thing I do on a model for several reasons.

1 - When holding on to the base while painting, I don't want to rub the sand off.
2 - Primer will not seal the rocks in place. Use Future floor polish, GW Inks or white glue.
3 - Basing is the very last thing I do to a figure. Once based, I consider the figure done and move on.

I never base things til the whole unit is done, (which essentially means I never base things.) I'll glue every model down with the minimum possible glue so it won't be a problem to take it off the base again after painting. The main reason I do it this way is so after painting I can set a theme for the whole army to be based on.

I prime over the sand I use for basing. I find this helps to lock it down.

nectarprime wrote:I prime over the sand I use for basing. I find this helps to lock it down.

This was what I was thinking. After getting ready to finalize my Doomwheel, I put the sand on, then primed the base, and all but the largest rocks were locked nicely in place. The difference between this and my regiments is that the troops themselves are already attached to their bases (to ensure that I put them together in such a fashion that they would fit in rank and file). Also, the concept of laying a thick coat of paint on sand with a finished model begging to have a mistake made seems like a bad idea.

I base (then seal the basing material with white glue), then prime. Don't want to have to worry about accidentally painting over a finished model when I'm doing the base (and a lot of drybrushing happens on those bases).

Mechanically, this works well for me. Psychologically, it slows me down, as it's ANOTHER step to go through before actually painting the model I am excited about.

Here is what I do for practically every model:

1) Clean mini (including mold lines)
2) Assemble
3) Do any "paintable" basing, including rocks, dirt, etc.
4) Paint
5) Apply gloss varnish
6) Flock
7) Apply matte varnish

Most of my minis bases are dirt/ricks(cork) with grass and or snow flock.

I'm lazy and just put a layer of paint down and then swirl it in flock/sand to get it to stick to the paint. Then seal. I agree with the "don't base until you're done" theory, as it lets you get a theme for your army done.

I tend to clean & assemble. Apply basing material (90% its sand) prime and paint. then I paint the base last. Any little bits that come off are fine (they'd come off in transit anyway!) and any gaps are filled with static grass.

I do most of the basing during the assembly process using the following process:

1) Model is assembled on base (unless I plan on building up the base first)

2) Large rocks, crates, skulls, bits, razor wise are superglued in place around the model.

3) Watered down PVA is applied to the base and sand is sprinkled on top.

4) Another layer of watered down PVA is applied to the sand to seal

5) Model is primed

6) Sand is drybrushed (messy process so best done before painting the figure)

7) Figure is painted

8) Base's details are painted (large rocks, skulls, wire, ect.)

9) Model is sealed with varnish

10) Flocking is done (grass or snow) last.

Thanks, everyone for their input; I'm going to get some cardstock tonight and experiment with the process!

when I build a model basing the sand is the first thing I do. Paint the sand then finish the model and only at the very end put down flock.

For my eldar I used a glue/sand/talus mixture on the base and fitted the model down into it. When dry, I prime the whole thing and toward the end of the model paint up the ground then top with some grass flock.

I also do my basing-work as the last step.

1. PVA Glue

2. Dip into sand/grit/etc.

3. Lock the basing materials down with a wash (In my case Les' Heavy Body Black Wash with some drops of umber ink added into the mix)

3. Drybrush light brown

4. Add materials depending on the theme (rusted armor plates, skulls, bushes)

5. Coat of matte varnish

6. When the matte varnish is dried (and I mean really - you can ruin your mini if the varnish is still wet) I add static grass

7. Paint the rim of the base

Cheers,


IK-Painter

I assemble the model and sand the base using super glue, i then use spray undercoat and then paint the model, once all painting is done I then paint the base, the last thing i do is add on the static grass.

I sometimes (On Character Models) Paint the Model and drill out the Foot and insert a short wire or Pin (tack) and glue it in place.

I paint the Base doing everything and getting it just right. I then dry fit the two, pick my position I then mark the point, drill it out and insert the Model using the Pin to enter the hole. A tiny amount of glue on the other foot and a bit on the Pin and presto all done.

i don't usually put sand or flock near my models, most of my 40k is on gravel or ground sprue to simulate smashed concrete.

My beastmen i haven't based a single model yet, i'm planning on basing them on small stones tiny twigs and kitchen herbs.

my warriors are done on snow bases.

My recipe for snow is, put down your normal basing material, stones flock whatever, then mix up some bicarb of soda, pva and water to a paste and apply liberally, but make sure you dry fit your model first and leave something to glue him to, the snow has a bit of give in it so you can even put foot prints etc but don't try and glue them down to the snow.

just thought this would be a handy tip to share here.