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So I'm starting up a fresh new Sally flameblade strike force, and have decided on a general idea for basing but need advice because i think it's still a bit too barebones. Also I've never based before so ANY advice at all is appreciated.

So my main idea is to cover the bottom of the base with this greenstuff world texture
http://www.greenstuffworld.com/en/textured-rolling-pins/497-rolling-pin-aztec.html

I was than thinking of adding a bit of sand here and there with maybe some bushes but am not a hundred percent sure what would look good. What kind of sand should I use? or should i use that pumice stuff?

And should i add in some plants/accessories or is the textured green stuff and sand enough?

Also what colour dyou think i should paint everything? I was thinking like an almost black grey, and black for the sand. Maybe make some of the green stuff patterns glowy.

So hit me up with any suggestions dakka brethren! All advice is appreciated

My best suggestion is to take a real-life or other model reference and stick to it in terms of color pattern and elements. We are usually not aware of tiny details the original enviro have, so the final results are not as "natural" as they should be.

So, in this case, if you're aiming for aztec/mayan:

http://c8.alamy.com/comp/EJ1A3H/detail-stone-tablet-with-bas-relief-mayan-warrior-in-situ-leaning-EJ1A3H.jpg

https://img.purch.com/h/1000/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5saXZlc2NpZW5jZS5jb20vaW1hZ2VzL2kvMDAwLzAzNC82NzEvb3JpZ2luYWwvbWF5YW4tY2FsZW5kYXIuanBn

Here you can check the usual effect the ruins have. To obtain the "erosion effect" you can poke the base gently with a used toothbrush or your usual drybrush and, for rocky elements, usually the drybrush is always the best option when doing highlights. I wouldnt do many shades imho, but you can start painting from the darkest elements to the lightest in different layers, so you can control the final result.

In terms of extra elements like sand, dirt of plants less is ALWAYS more. Dont fill the base with sand, just use the imgs to check where it should be filled with sand and where it shouldn't, using the elevations of your own diorama.

Good luck!

*facepalm* I dont know why I didn't think of looking up actual mayan ruins. Beauty! I'll def start looking up some pics, thanks for the advice Ryu!

A pleasure, have fun!