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I've got loads of mini's that I've painted up and haven't a clue as to how to properly base them. Obviously, priming over a bunch of grit is out, but what other basing techniques does dakka recommend for this sort of scenario. I'd like to do something ash wasteland-ish but am open to any and all suggestions! Post pics if possible!

Well I personally use stirland mud, wash with agrax and then dry brush for a mud type base seen here




Gw also has some other texture paints you could use. Maybe astrogranite?

I just cover the base in PVA, apply some sand, and when it's dry, paint it dark grey and drybrush light grey. Simple.

Ya I've had this problem...still do. I have to base a bunch of skaven guys I've already painted which sucks. I might go with that mud paint from gw and just nuln oil it and drybrush it.

What I've done with some other models is just slap glue on the base and dip it in coffee grounds (mix of coarse and fine grind) and let that dry and just take some Eshin Grey or another dark grey and water it down quite a bit and paint over the coffee. Let it dry put a nuln oil wash on it and let that dry and drybrush using administraum grey (the really light grey)
I don't really have a good example since I don't feel like taking another picture but here's one that's sort of ash wasteland type of deal I did on my skaven warlord on warlitter using what I described above

Personally I base my guys after they are painted, but thats me.

My Favorite way of basing is using Golden Coarse Pumice Gel. Just spread it on the base and let it dry overnight and it gives a nice textured base.It is not too expensive about $30 for a 946ml container.

I base last. I use gap filling sand for sweeping between pavers. $10 for 10kgs. Paint with well thinned black, then dybrush with a mid grey and then a light grey.

 Ustrello wrote:
Well I personally use stirland mud, wash with agrax and then dry brush for a mud type base seen here




Gw also has some other texture paints you could use. Maybe astrogranite?

This. I use stirland mud, wash with devlan mud, and add a bit of static grass. Looks great in the end.

you can use anything for basing. i favour bits of cork, sand,and small stones. with these you can make a whole bunch of different looking terrain. paint grey, wash with brown then drybrush light grey for an urban environment.. stick some wire or rod in for rusty rebar, or bits of broken fence. paint reddy brown for a red desert or destroyed brick look. use desert colours and patches of grass you can get from GW. the possibilities are endless, all it takes is imagination. i find that with those simple materials, you can make super ott bases, but also simple but effective bases.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
weathering powders are also pretty sweet for basing, and also give your models realism if you brush it around their lower legs. i also like using woodland scenics realistic water to make pools of liquid. you can put this over pre painted colours, or mix paints in to make toxic/dirty coloured water or goo for you bases.

Thanks Dakka! Those are all really great suggestions. I think I'll pick up some of those texture GW paints, I hadn't heard of them! Keep posting your bases, these are awesome!

If you truly have "loads" of minis, skip the GW texture paints and head to an art and/or craft store. Picking up a tub of Liquitex, Golden, or any other art brand texture gel is far cheaper per volume. Some versions are colored (Vallejo springs to mind - more common from hobby/hybrid brands than art brands), but most are clear with white grains, allowing easy coverage if you paint over them. If you want a whole tub for one basing scheme, you can simply add paint directly and mix up a large batch, ready for wash>drybrush>done.

You can buy different colours/sizes of ballast at most hobby stores for fairly cheap and then use coloured static grasses on top of that. I do all of my basing after painting by:

- Mix PVA glue with a little water
- Brush on a thick coat over the top of the base
- Dip the entire base into a container of desired ballast
- Put globs of glue mixture in spots on top of the ballast
- Apply static grass to areas, fluff it to get it to stand up.
- Let dry. no Painting required!
It also makes it look like your model's feet are planted IN the ground rather than sitting on top. Gives the models some weight.

You can apply sand with PVA glue and paint it.

You can buy a textured paint and the drybrush/wash it.

You can mix plaster, fine grain sand and pigment to create a mud paste and apply that.

I like the last one, it both looks good and is also quite fast. If I had of known how to do it before I started basing my 'nids, I would have used it. Here's a good example of how to do it...

http://www.secretweaponminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=5

You can then apply grass flock or snow or whatever you want over the top of the mud.

One advantage of this method is that you can apply a bit of mud to the boots and lower parts of the model, so they look a bit weathered in the correct colour to match the base.

For minis that are already painted I think I'd go with the GW textured paint, since it wouldn't create the 'sunken feet' look that PVA and sand would make, and a couple of cat litter rocks.

Before you do *anything* to your bases, though, make sure the figures are finished and give them a spray coat of gloss varnish, then any splashes of basing paint should be easier to remove with a damp cotton bud. Once the basing is finished you can spray the whole mini with a matt varnish.

 Ustrello wrote:
Well I personally use stirland mud, wash with agrax and then dry brush for a mud type base seen here

Spoiler:

Gw also has some other texture paints you could use. Maybe astrogranite?

Tripping hazard!

If you have a lot to do, and you want to be lazy, the Citadel basing paints are really quick to apply. You really just brush it on, as thick or thin, and to whatever contour you want, and presto, instant sand/mud/grass whatever. Then toss on a bit of static gross or tufts, and you have some nice bases with minimal effort.

Personally, I carefully cut the model's feet off their bases, work on the base, then glue it back on, pinning if necessary.

Your mileage may vary, but if I can do it with spindly fragile necron feet that have been plastic glued on, you can do it with anything.

For me, its totally essential, because I airbrush all of the bases. The only hand painted parts are the ring around the base, and whatever junk, scrap, crystals, skulls, etc I put on the base for flavor.

 ae1989 wrote:

 Ustrello wrote:
Well I personally use stirland mud, wash with agrax and then dry brush for a mud type base seen here

Spoiler:

Gw also has some other texture paints you could use. Maybe astrogranite?

Tripping hazard!

I wanted to double it up like real barbed wire but I felt it would of taken away from the model if I did.

Most people seem to be suggesting a texture paint, or a texture gel.

Are they attached to the bases? because I use cork board or corks in general with some small stones added to taste. The cork board when simply glued on and hacked up makes a nice earth effect. But this is a longer process and will normally require pinning to keep the models secure.

Solar Shock wrote:
Most people seem to be suggesting a texture paint, or a texture gel.

Are they attached to the bases? because I use cork board or corks in general with some small stones added to taste. The cork board when simply glued on and hacked up makes a nice earth effect. But this is a longer process and will normally require pinning to keep the models secure.

You quite literally paint it on. Its fairly thick and you will need to add a bit of water to it, and it does take a while to dry depending on if you glob it on or are more reserved.