SA/GO: which B …? (part six) B is for basing
With that in mind, I spent some extra time on this base:
The picture isn't that great; the flash was on so the blue tones are a bit washed out. That said, the base was the focal point and it came out fine. You get the idea.
Standard stuff, really. I used the sand I got from a buddy: I glued it down, let it dry, then washed it. After it dried, I dotted it with areas of static grass.
My normal method was simply gluing down flock with PVA glue. Lately, I've tried out other methods...
...using this for the Brotherhood. Ignore the model in the back - that's an experiment.
Thoughts, Brian? And others, of course!
I find coffee grounds and static grass are great.
ReplyDeletepaint on your white or wood glue, on parts of the base (not the whole thing) dip, allow to dry.
paint the other portion of the base, then dip in the other media.
do a little drybrushing if needed, and add a few blocks.
it's easy, and cheap.
coffee grounds and sand work well too.
Better than what you have been doing but a few comments...
ReplyDelete+1 on the drybrushing after the wash. It really does add a lot of definition to the base. Do it after the wash dries but before you glue any grass down.
I am not a big fan of flock over sand/gravel. It just kinda sits there and can really be too dominant. Unfortunately yours gets worse because you have sand in your flock and it does not match the sand on the base.
On the top pic I think the base looks great. About the only complaint is that the static grass is a bit too green for the rocky desert looking sand. You could try a small amount of wash on the static grass that might tone it down. Be careful, cause washing like that can make the grass lie flat.
Saw dust is another good medium for basing.
ReplyDeleteThey're getting better, so please don't take the rest of what I post in the wrong light, because my intent isn't to bust yer arse.
ReplyDeleteOn the larger, I'm assuming 40mm base, I'd definitely dust the top or the "step" sized rock with a much lighter colour, and on the "brick" like piece, I'd honestly change the colour to something brighter and go a bit more extra on the edge of it, otherwise it's a bit bland and uninspiring.
The 25mm base with the "double stack" on it needs a similar treatment.
On all of them in some of the larger green flock areas I'd go back with some thinned down wash and just strategically dab it a targeted fashion, especially where it adjoins the rocks that come up higher.
In fact, generally with your washes, don't go for the overall effect with them, just hit them in strategic spots and it'll look like you put serious time into your bases for a few seconds of attention. It'll be the best 30 seconds a base you'll ever spend.
Jake,
ReplyDeleteI don't take it that way at all! I really am serious about wanting feedback, and your points are well-taken.
Gotta admit, I'm itching to try coffee now...
Hey Brent
ReplyDeleteSomething I have not seen mentioned on here yet is you can paint your statics grass and/or flock, although the process is different for each.
with static grass, when it is applied after the rest of the base is complete, a fine dry brush of a color lighter than the grass's own can make it look alot more natural.(or a brush color that compliments the model in some way if your looking to match the base in with it)
and a technique you can use for both is to build the base whole from the start, with flock and grass and so on at the same time as the sand goes on, then you can spray the base as you normally would and then paint (usually with subsequent layers of fast dry brushing and washes) the base in its entirety.
its something thats pretty easy to play about with, just always use less paint than you think you need, to avoid swamping the thin materials. ;)
(Its actually a person pet peeve of mine seeing unadulterated flock on bases, as the default plastic feel to it seems counterintuitive to aims we try to acheive when painting the models.)
sorry this turned into a bit of read, first time posting, long time lurking ;D
Mon
Oh, another suggestion Brent, and this one is going to sound strange I'm sure - play with colours in your bases you normally wouldn't - you can work in almost any colour and find a way to actually make it fit with a little creativity that'll give you something truly different.
ReplyDeleteCase in point, I've got some trench bases that I've used the obvious browns, greys (even up to a light ash grey), etc in. But I've also used some very reddy browns and even yellows in it.
I've got some crap photos of some older work (about 6 months ago), but oddly, my newer still bases are missing in action.
http://s1007.photobucket.com/albums/af192/faolan_conall/Minis/
As a side note, I'm very tempted to go back and repaint these 'Jacks since my painting has moved forward by bounds since then, buuut I know if I do it'll have to be redone again and again and again as I keep improving, and set everything else off by months.
Hey, Brent. I was just over at Brian's house today and he wanted me to let you know that his wireless is down at the moment. That's why he hasn't been posting and/or responding. Just so you know.. ;P It's not because he hates you or and wants you to die in a laundry fire.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I like the bases. Definitely a good start, but practice makes perfect. Well.. not really. Bah, you know what I mean.
Stealth note from work: I like it. Genuinely. That said, it's a start. Keep moving in this direction. I should mention that only a few short years ago (ten, really), I too hated basing. I just skipped it entirely -didn't even touch the base at all.
ReplyDeleteAll this is to say that once you start down this path, you will find yourself getting deeper and deeper into it. Soon, four colors, a wash, a point of interest, and some static grass will be standard on your bases.
I'm not sayin; I'm just sayin.
Drink the coffee and base till dawn. He's right about making higher points lighter to stand up and out. They do however look good.
ReplyDelete