Basing Tutorial 

 Quick Guide 

Hi folks, 

I'm going to go through my process for basing my models. 

I recently did two Grey Knight Dreadknights as part of a commission and was contacted on how I made the bases. 

So here I am with a quick walkthrough. 

First we'll go through what materials are needed. 

Above is pretty much everything I'll need. This includes.

Primer

Paint

White modelling clay

Fine sand

Hairspray 

PVA glue

Basing sets from GW, for small rocks and grass tufts. 

Weathering powders 

And of course a few bases to work on.  

1, 

I get some modelling clay and place in a random fashion but always keeping in mind where the model is going to stand. 

2,

I'll push small gravel pieces into the clay and leave to set. Once this has set I get some PVA glue and paint the bases leaving some of the larger stones exposed.  

Again these are left to dry. 

3,

Next I prime the bases, I used vallejos primer. It comes out the airbrush super smooth and there's no danger of frosting. 

5,

Now we do our base coats, I have used vallejo model air paints. These were base grey and wood. The whole base was coated with the grey paint, whilst the wood colour was sprayed in smaller areas to provide some tonal differences.  

6,

Next I do highlights, these were drybrushed on to the bases.
I find drybrushing works really well on bases and helps pick out the details quickly.
The colours in used for this was zandri dust and screaming skull.  A lighter shade of grey was also applied as the final highlight.

7,

Now I add small patches of grass, these are from GW. Place these pretty much anywhere and as little or as much as you like.

8,

Next up is weathering powders.
I applied the powder by using an old large brush.
First I did a layer of dark earth followed by a smaller layer of light earth.
I fix the powders in place with a coat of hairspray, do this with a bit distance though...You don't want to disturb the powder layers.

10,

Finally everything is sealed down with a coat of matt varnish.

I hope that this is a helpful tutorial please comment, rate and subscribe.
If there's anything you'd like to see me cover then drop us a message and I'll do my best to help.


Many thanks James.