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Hi guys, I just had a quick question regarding painting bases.

I see many people suggest that the rocks/sand used to base a model should be painted after they are applied to the base.

I guess my question is this: why paint a rock to make it look like a rock?

I personally have never painted my basing sand in the past, but I'm always up for learning a new technique. Could someone educate me on the advantages to painting the basing rocks?

Thanks!

I never used to paint my sand/rocks as well. I suppose you don't have to paint it.

I started painting it since I could paint the base to work with the miniature (paint the sand darker or lighter depending on the model itself).

I also feels more natural (or the opposite) than just leaving it unpainted.

But hey do whatever you like. Who cares if others say you should paint it or not.

I think it's basically the same principle as shading and highlighting anything else. Straight sand or really uniform fine grit doesn't have deep enough contours to indicate the depth it "should" have. Painting it lets you wash and/or drybrush it to emphasize the texture.

That being said, I'm not painting the grit on my current bases. I'm using the Fine Basing Grit from GF9 underneath irregular patches of flock, sometimes with one of those Army Painter tuft things for decor. The grit is a bit coarser than sand and has some natural color variation, so the spots sticking out from under the grass don't look too flat.

tppytel wrote:
I think it's basically the same principle as shading and highlighting anything else. Straight sand or really uniform fine grit doesn't have deep enough contours to indicate the depth it "should" have. Painting it lets you wash and/or drybrush it to emphasize the texture.

Good insight. I guess I'd never really thought about it that way. Thanks!

Also opens you up to a variety of materials. If I want lots of rocks it's cheaper to get the rainbow fishtank rocks.

Also stuff like using wood chips and cork board as stone, and by painting a bit of a darker colour you can make the base look a bit wet and muddy but without having to go all the way to swamp.