WFB-Getting Started Part 5: The Basics of Basing

These days there is everything from simply painting your base a particular color, using materials on your bases, sculpting your own bases or buying pre-sculpted resin bases.

I have tried all of these methods and of them all the only I do not like or encourage is simply painting the bases a color.

Most of my models have been coated with textured sand or various sizes of slate and then topped with static grass of some color, little flowers or jungle brush or even snow. We`re doing a trial with water effects at the moment but I have discovered that I am not very good at using water effects. The key to having an okay army versus a good army is consistent bases.

Themes

Not everyone has themes their armies but all the best ones are. Bases can be a major part of your theme as can a display board. Some Lizardmen players like Pete from Chumphammer/CHOP use jungle themed bases: MicroArt Studios has some beautiful pre-sculpted jungle bases or temple bases. I have also seen Lizardmen players use plants meant for fish tanks accessorizing to create a jungle atmosphere. No matter what theme you settle on you can use that to help determine how you do your bases.

Decisions

It would help if include decide on a theme. Part of me wants my Empire themed around pirates to go along with the fluff. My kids want me to go with pirates so I can incorporate Captain Hook and characters from Jake and the Neverland Pirates. I am, however, leaning more towards a city courtyard, maybe strewn with battle debris, maybe clean, not sure yet. MircoArt has some great bases for either option.

The one thing I have decided is that I will leave the sculpting to others. 

If you want to see top notch basing I recommend checking out James Wappel.

James Wappel is a well known painter and sculptor who creates his own bases and they are incredible (in my opinion). He has incredible skill with his bases; I do not which is why for my empire army I am debating whether I should order some pre-sculpted resin basis, my only problem is I am having a hard time deciding which ones. If I don`t decide soon I might find myself with painted models and nothing to stick them to.

The Basic Steps

If you know what you want to do the steps are easy. Whether you choose to glue your models to the base first or after they have been painted the steps to basing are the same.

• apply glue to the base
• apply basing materials to the glue
• when dry, prime the bases
• paint the bases

To make realistic fantasy bases I recommend finding inspiration and working from there. If you want your horses to look like they were churning dirt under their hooves while they run across a field if flowers, there is materials for that. Andnifnanmatial does not exist you can always improvise.

Some common materials are:

• sand
• static grass
• flowers
• dried leaves (you can use herbs if you don’t want to buy the premade kits)
• building ruins
• extra bits from the sprues
• cork or bark to be painted to look like rock

This list is really endless as you can use just about anything you want to make your bases look good and most hobby stores carry several kinds.

You may not be ready or have the interest in doing elaborate bases like Wappel but the sky really is the limit if you do. I hope to see some if your creations.

Remember that typically you want to make sure that your bases go along with your paint choices. If you are painting a winter theme you might want to put some snow on your base, if you are doing pirates you might want them to look like they are standing on the deck of a ship. The sky is the limit. I have seen models bases to look like they are standing in fire and some based like they are on an open field.

More recently Fantasy is seeing an increase in bases that are pre-sculpted, purchased from online stores sucb as Gale Force 9 and Cool Mini or Not. They are themed and distinct and make your bases stand out on the field.

Share your basing success and woes with us and check back with us for the final installment of Getting Started next time as I give my final words on getting started, and talk about staying motivated.