Master the Art of Basing: Tabletop Miniatures Edition

One of the things that can really set your miniatures apart, is the base. A finished base, even a simple one makes your model look so much better.

Common Basing Materials for Miniatures

Beginner:

Sand: Regular sand or fine-grained hobby sand is an excellent material for creating simple textures on bases. You can find sand in various colors or paint it to match your desired theme.
PVA Glue: White glue, such as Elmer’s Glue or Mod Podge, is perfect for adhering sand, small rocks, and other basing materials to your base. It can easily be thinned with a little water, dries clear, and is easy to work with.
Small Rocks: Natural pebbles, slate chips, or aquarium gravel can be used to represent rocks or rubble on your base. These can be found at local craft or pet stores, or even in your own backyard.
Flock: Flocking material, such as Woodland Scenics Flock, can be used to simulate grass or moss on your base. It comes in various colors and textures and can be easily applied with PVA glue.

Intermediate:

Modeling Putty: Green Stuff, Milliput, or other epoxy putties can be used to sculpt custom textures or elements for your base. These putties can be shaped and carved to create organic or artificial surfaces.
Static Grass: Static grass is a fiber-like material that can create realistic grassy effects on your bases. It comes in various lengths and colors, and can be applied with PVA glue or specialized static grass applicators.
Plasticard: Also known as styrene sheets, plasticard can be cut, sanded, and shaped to create custom hard surfaces like paving stones, metal plates, or wooden planks for your bases.
Basing Kits: Many hobby companies, like Army Painter or Gale Force 9, offer pre-made basing kits with a variety of materials and textures to choose from, making it easy to create themed bases.

Advanced:

Resin: Two-part resin can be used to create custom casts, water effects, or other unique elements for your bases. There are various types of resin available, such as clear or colored, to suit your project needs.
Cork: Cork sheets or tiles can be broken or cut to create natural-looking rock formations or multi-level terrain on your bases. It’s lightweight, easy to work with, and can be found at craft or office supply stores.
3D-Printed Elements: With access to a 3D printer, you can create custom-designed base elements, such as ruins, statues, or sci-fi structures. Websites like MyMiniFactory offer a wide range of downloadable files for 3D printing.
Water Effects: Specialized products, like AK-Interactive Water Effects Woodland Scenics Realistic Water or Vallejo Water Texture, can be used to simulate ponds, rivers, or other water features on your bases. These products typically dry clear, allowing for added depth and realism.
Natural Materials: Twigs, roots, or bark can be used to create realistic tree branches, fallen logs, or other organic elements on your bases. These materials can be found outdoors or purchased from specialty hobby stores.

Common Themes for Basing Miniatures

Using a cohesive theme across the bases of your miniature army gives it a much more pulled-together feel. I really like when my army feels unified.

Beginner:

Grassy Fields: A simple, versatile theme that works well for many miniatures, grassy fields can be created using flock, static grass, or even painted sand. Add small rocks, tufts, or bushes for added interest.
Sandy Deserts: Using fine sand or a textured paint, create a desert-themed base with dunes, scattered rocks, or even dry, cracked earth. Incorporate cacti or desert plants for a more immersive environment.
Rocky Terrain: Break up cork, slate, or foam into small pieces to create a rocky landscape. This theme works well for mountainous, cave, or volcanic settings, and can be customized with paint and dry-brushing techniques.

Intermediate:

Urban Ruins: Combine plasticard, foam, or pre-made scenery pieces to create a base with the appearance of a crumbling city or ancient ruins. Add rubble, broken pillars, or brickwork to enhance the realism of your urban-themed base.
Ice/Snow Environments: Use white or light blue paint, snow flock, or crushed glass to create a wintry landscape. Experiment with icicle effects using clear resin, hot glue, or even transparent plastic.
Alien Landscapes: Create otherworldly bases by using vibrant colors, unusual textures, or uncommon materials. Consider incorporating exotic plants, strange rock formations, or even glowing effects using LED lights or fluorescent paint.

Advanced:

Dioramas: Integrate storytelling elements or narrative scenes into your bases. This can involve using multiple miniatures, sculpting custom terrain features, or incorporating details that highlight a character’s backstory or game setting.
Swamps or Marshlands: Combine water effects, tall grass, and muddy textures to create a base that looks like a swamp or marshland. Add elements like moss, vines, or twisted roots to increase the sense of depth and realism.
Coastal or Beach Scenes: Use fine sand, resin, or clear silicone to create the appearance of waves, water, or a shoreline on your base. Add seashells, driftwood, or sand dunes for added detail and interest.
Battlefields: Recreate the chaos of a battlefield with elements like craters, trenches, or barricades. Scatter debris like broken weapons, armor, or fallen banners to enhance the scene and give your base a sense of action and drama.

By experimenting with different themes, you can create captivating and visually appealing bases that complement your miniatures and showcase your creativity. Use online galleries, forums, or social media platforms for inspiration and to share your work with fellow hobbyists.

How Basing Improves Your Miniatures’ Appearance

Beginner:

Stability and Context: A well-made base provides a stable platform for your miniatures and places them within a specific environment, adding context to their appearance. This enhances the overall visual appeal and makes the miniature feel more immersive.
Contrast and Balance: A thoughtfully designed base can create contrast and balance with your miniature’s color scheme, making it stand out and drawing attention to its details. This can be achieved by using complementary or analogous colors on the base and miniature.

Intermediate:

Depth and Visual Interest: As you progress in your skills, basing can add depth and visual interest to your miniatures through the use of different textures, materials, and elements. Incorporating various heights and layers to your base creates a dynamic look that draws the viewer’s eye.
Theme Reinforcement: A well-executed base can reinforce the theme of your miniature, whether it’s a fantasy, sci-fi, or historical setting. This can help establish a consistent aesthetic for your entire collection or gaming table.

Advanced:

Showcase Painting Skills: Advanced basing techniques can highlight and enhance your exceptional painting skills. By creating intricate and detailed bases, you can emphasize the miniature’s character and showcase your talent as a painter.
Integration and Realism: Seamlessly integrating your miniature into its base can create a more immersive and realistic appearance. This can be achieved by blending the miniature’s contact points into the base using putty, epoxy, or paint, or by creating natural interactions between the miniature and the base’s elements.
Storytelling and Narrative: Basing can provide an opportunity to tell a story or add narrative context to your miniatures. By incorporating dioramas, vignettes, or specific thematic elements, you can bring your miniature to life and evoke a sense of character and history.

Through thoughtful basing techniques, you can greatly enhance the appearance of your miniatures, adding depth, context, and visual interest. As you progress in your skills, you can create stunning bases that elevate your miniatures and showcase your creativity and talent.

Attaching Miniatures to Bases

Beginner:

Gluing: The simplest way to attach miniatures to their bases is by using glue. Make sure the base and the miniature’s feet or contact points are clean and free of paint for a strong bond. We recommend using Gorilla Super Glue or Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue for reliable adhesion.
Slots and Pegs: Many miniatures come with slots on their feet or pegs that fit into pre-made bases. Simply align the slots or pegs with the corresponding holes on the base and secure with glue.

Intermediate:

Pinning: For more complex bases or miniatures with smaller contact points, pinning can provide a more secure attachment. This involves drilling small holes in both the base and the miniature, inserting a metal or plastic rod (usually a paperclip or brass rod) into the holes, and securing with glue.
Magnets: Attaching small magnets to both the miniature and the base can provide a secure connection while allowing for easy removal and repositioning if needed. This is particularly useful for gaming miniatures. K&J Magnetics and Gale Force Nine offer strong magnets suitable for miniature projects.

Advanced:

Sculpting Putty or Epoxy Integration: Advanced hobbyists can utilize sculpting putty or epoxy to blend the miniature’s feet into the base seamlessly. This creates a more immersive and realistic integration between the miniature and its environment. Milliput is a popular choice for these applications.
Custom Mounts and Supports: If your miniature requires additional support or a unique mounting solution, consider creating custom mounts or supports from materials like brass rods, plasticard, or putty. This can be particularly useful for miniatures with dynamic poses or delicate components.

By mastering various attachment techniques, you can ensure that your miniatures are securely and seamlessly attached to their bases, enhancing the overall appearance and stability of your models. As you progress in your skills, explore more advanced methods to create unique and engaging connections between your miniatures and their bases.

Finishing Touches for Bases

Beginner:

Edge Painting: Neatly painting the edge of your base can provide a clean, polished appearance. Many hobbyists choose to paint the edge in black, but you can also use other colors that complement or contrast with the base and miniature.
Dry-Brushing: Using a dry-brushing technique, you can easily highlight the textures and features on your base. Gently apply a lighter shade of paint on the raised areas, giving the base more depth and visual interest.

Intermediate:

Washes and Inks: Applying washes or inks to your base can create depth, shading, and realistic effects. Use darker washes in recessed areas and lighter inks for highlights. Experiment with different colors to achieve the desired atmosphere and appearance.
Weathering Effects: Add realism to your base by incorporating weathering effects, such as rust, chipping, or dirt. Products like AK Interactive weathering pigments or Vallejo Environment Effects can be used to achieve various realistic textures and finishes.

Advanced:

OSL (Object Source Lighting): If your miniature features a light source, such as a torch or glowing runes, you can create OSL effects on your base. This involves painting areas of the base with a lighter color or a shade that matches the light source, giving the impression of light reflecting off the base’s surfaces.
Water Effects: Enhance the realism of your base by adding water effects, like puddles, rivers, or waterfalls. Products like Woodland Scenics Realistic Water or Vallejo Water Texture can be used to create different water surfaces and finishes.
Foliage and Nature Elements: Add a touch of realism to your base by incorporating small plants, flowers, or leaves. Companies like Green Stuff World, Woodland Scenics, and Army Painter offer a wide range of realistic foliage and nature elements that can be easily added to your base.

By adding finishing touches to your bases, you can enhance the overall appearance, depth, and realism of your miniatures. Experiment with different techniques and materials to create visually appealing bases that elevate your miniatures and showcase your creativity and skill.

Basing Projects

Check out the step by step articles we have created for several styles of bases for miniatures.

FAQ

Q: What type of glue should I use for basing miniatures?

A: For most basing projects, super glue (such as Gorilla Super Glue) or a strong PVA glue (like Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue) works well. The type of glue you choose may depend on the materials you are working with, so test adhesion before committing to a particular glue.

Q: Can I change the base of a miniature after it’s already been painted and based?

A: Yes, it is possible to change the base of a miniature after it’s been painted and based. Carefully remove the miniature from its existing base using a hobby knife or a gentle prying tool. Be cautious not to damage the miniature or the base in the process. Once the miniature is removed, follow the appropriate steps for attaching it to a new base.

Q: How can I create custom-shaped bases for my miniatures?

A: Custom-shaped bases can be created using materials like plasticard, foam board, or MDF. Draw or trace the desired shape onto the material and carefully cut it out using a hobby knife or a fine-toothed saw. Sand the edges for a smooth finish and then proceed with your basing techniques.

Q: My miniature doesn’t have a built-in slot or peg. How can I create a secure attachment to the base?

A: Pinning is a popular method for securing miniatures to bases without built-in slots or pegs. Drill small holes in the miniature’s feet and the base, insert a metal or plastic rod (such as a paperclip or brass rod), and secure with glue. This creates a strong bond and added stability.

Q: How do I prevent my bases from warping over time?

A: Warping can be caused by moisture, temperature fluctuations, or uneven application of materials. To minimize the risk of warping, ensure your basing materials are applied evenly, and avoid exposing your miniatures to extreme temperatures or humidity. Additionally, using a thicker or more rigid base material, like plasticard or MDF, can help reduce warping.

Q: Can I add LEDs or other electronic components to my bases for special effects?

A: Yes, incorporating LEDs or other electronic components into your bases can create unique lighting effects and bring your miniatures to life. You may need to learn some basic electronics and soldering skills to accomplish this, and always exercise caution when working with electronic components. Be sure to plan your base design to accommodate the wiring and components, and make sure the miniature can still be safely handled and transported.

Resources and Community

Online Forums: The Paint Your Army Forum, DakkaDakka, The Miniatures Page, and Reaper Miniatures forums are great places to discuss techniques, share work, and seek advice.
Blogs: Paint Your Army, Massive Voodoo, Tale of Painters, and Mengel Miniatures offer in-depth tutorials and inspirational content.
Social Media Groups: Join Facebook groups like “Eavier Metal” and “Paint All the Minis” or follow miniature painters on Instagram and YouTube.

These are my recommendations of things that I use all the time when painting miniatures

My 3D Printer

My Paintbrush Set

My Vortex Mixer

My Ultrasonic Cleaner

The Starter Paint Set That I Recommend for small budgets

The Starter Paint Set That I Recommend for large budgets

My Wet Pallete

My favorite Airbrush

My Desk Mat

I like to listen to books on Audible while I paint

Check out these retailers to find hobby products