A Quick Introduction to Basing: Part 1

Basic Basing Made Easy.

I've been promising to do a quick guide as to how I base my models, I've just started a flying base today and because of it's size I thought it should make a good subject for this article. As this is being written as I make the base I have no idea how it's going to turn out but hopefully should end up good.

Supplies.

Lets start with the basic modelling supplies I use: -

Modelling supplies

Smashed up slate

A good quality Contact adhesive (CA) is a core item within our hobby, from my experience the cheaper glues seem to leave a much more substantial white residue. I'm using a medium thickness CA by ZAP, to help with curing times I also use the ZAP CA accelerator which turns the glue into an almost instant stick. I also have some two part epoxy resin when a glue failure would be a disaster.

For molding the coutures between the rocks I use a modelling putty, Miliput is my weapon of choice as it's easy to work with and is also makes a great secondary gluing agent plus its strong as hell once set. To help get the putty where I want it I use some basic carving tools, the old GW one and the Army Painter set.

With my legion bases I've chosen slate, partly because I like the sharp edges it has and I also had a large smashed slate that fell of my roof during the winter storms.

As I'm trying to create a barren wasteland I'm not using much grass but I do want to add texture to the base I'm using Vallejo texture paints, just paint them onto the base for instant texture, I have Black Lava and Dark Earth. 

As a base primer I use the same primer as I do with my figures; Vallejo Water-based Polyurethane Primer I normally apply this via an Airbrush.

And finally a selection paints, brushes, needle files/sandpaper and some masking tape (as I want to keep the transparent stand clear of paint), also I've have several different grass tufts, Poison Ivy and some razor wire.

Preparing the Base.

To start with I lightly buff with sandpaper the area where I'm going to glue the transparent stand to the base and then mix some epoxy resin, as I want the base to be extra strong, generously apply glue to the stand and leave to set (in my case about 10 minutes).

Adding Shape.

After the epoxy has set I start gluing the slate into place using CA.

I'm using the slate to form raised areas on the base as it is much cheaper than using miliput. Once dry I mix a large ball of miliput and start molding the earth between the rocks. I use the carving tools to push the Miliput into the areas that are hard to get to and then wet my finger and gently smooth the putting into the shape I want.

At this point my fist ball of miliput ran out, I just mixed another batch and continued.

I'm leaving a pool in the centre where I hope to add some water effects

Leave the miliput to cure; overnight is best.

Adding Texture.

Now we have all the ground shaped and dry, it's time to start adding texture, as I mentioned above my legion base theme is a dark wasteland so I've been using the Black Lava as a base texture. All I do is paint the ground areas created by the Miliput with the textured paint continue onto areas of the slate to give them a exposed rock effect. 

Don't worry if the texture is uneven this can be sorted out by a second coat of the textured paint plus ground in real life is very often uneven.

That's it for now as I need to leave the base to fully dry and I'm out of time.

Summing Up.

Next time: as I continue the flying base, I'll cover priming, painting and adding the finishing touches to give it final look.

 

I'll leave you with a example of one of my finished dreadnaught bases.

Be good.

Praetor, Out!