BEF - 2nd Squad "Secure Your Bases!"

So as the title of this post states, I am in the process of getting the 2nd squad ready to start painting. Which is when I thought, perhaps I could show how I do my bases for those interested. There are many great ideas out there & this is mine.

First up, I base all my figures on washers now. In some cases I can glue him straight onto the washer & cover the hole. However thats not always the case, so here I used the plastic base that came into the box first, then glued the figure to the plastic base. Why do I do this? It makes the models heavier & less likely to get knocked over by a flying die. Also if the fall off the table *heaven forbid* they will often land on the washer side & hopefully save the model. I also use magnetic sheets in my travelling storage to help prevent movement of figs in transit.

 

Secondly, I then apply Liquitex Black Lava over the base. This 'paste' is spread around to cover the edging of the figures metal base to the plastic base, in effect to hide the sharp edges. I buy this product at Michael's & I know that the Vallejo basing compounds are now also available at the various hobby / game stores. I've picked up a couple, but have yet to try them. Be careful when applying the Black Lava that you don't get it on the model. If you do, remove it as best you can with your modelling tool.

 

I then stick a couple small stones / pebbles into the wet Black Lava. This will allow them to be pushed into the 'ground' & will be secured by the dried compound.

 

Once it dries it appears Black

 

Next its onto priming the figures & bases. I then use a coating of black gesso over the base. You may wonder why I prime & then use in effect, another primer. This is to coat the washers more than the models base, but this keeps it uniform & makes for a dark ground base.

 

Then its onto the 4 stage base colours. Starting with Burnt Umber, then drybrushing of Yellow Ochre. This is followed by some dabbing of Olive Green & lastly I touch up those stones using a Sand colour.

 

This is the extent of basing until after the remainder of the model is painted.

So this brings me to the next 2 Riflemen of the First Squad (who happen to have had the final base materials applied).

 

This time of year is perfect for gathering up some washed sand/pebbles in the drainage along the street curbs (unless the street cleaners have already been by) I am lucky where I live, in that the system drains by gravity & being at the end of the street, I often get a buildup of water (meaning the silts carried will buildup & remain in front of my house) I then get a small plastic pail & shovel, to collect it, then put it through a sieve to remove the bigger bits.

 

As well I really enjoy sunflower seeds & there are often quite a few bits of Sunflower stems mixed in with the seeds, which make great wood bits for your base! (As can be seen with the guy holding the grenade). Now all that remains is another nice day to matt overspray them.

So up next is the last rifleman for the 1st squad, as well as the Bren Team & 2" Mortar. 

Thanks for visiting!