You’ve put time into every detail, so don’t let a flat black base be the thing people notice. A proper base gives your model a setting. Cracked wasteland, moss-covered ruins and frozen ground all help make a miniature feel real.
Start with Texture
The base of your… base… should give it structure and interest. Texture paints, sand, gravel, and resin basing materials are great for this. They let you recreate cracked earth, muddy trails, or rocky terrain with ease. Once dry, add a wash and drybrush to bring out all that detail.
Try:
- Texture paints
- Basing grit or sand
- Pre-sculpted resin base toppers
Add Tufts, Foliage, and Scatter
Once the base is dry, it’s time to add the details that bring it all together. Grass tufts are a classic for a reason. You can go for dry steppe, vibrant meadows or something more alien. For a wilder feel, mix in some leaf scatter, lichen or moss to give it that overgrown, forgotten look.
Try:
- Grass tufts (spring, autumn, alien, snow, etc.)
- Leaf scatter or moss
- Lichen and natural fibres
Tell a Story with Bits and Details
Want your base to tell a story? Try adding little details like skulls, broken weapons, bits of rubble or old ruins. Creeping vines can hint at something ancient and overgrown, while scattered metal and scrap give off an urban warzone vibe. It’s these extras that make a model feel like it’s part of something bigger.
Try:
- Skulls, weapons, and broken shields
- Ruined machinery, barrels, crates
- Vines, bracken, twisted roots
Experiment with Water, Ice, or Snow
If you’re creating a swamp, a frozen lake, or a snowy battlefield, you can add serious drama with realistic water and snow effects. Water effect gels, realistic icicles, snow flock, and frost scatter let you push your basing into new territory. These materials are especially striking on scenic or hero bases.
Try:
- Water effect resin or gel
- Snow texture paint or scatter
- Ice crystals or icicles
- Slush mixes for muddy snow
Make It Burn or Crack
Desert wastelands, scorched battlefields and shattered realms. Crackle paints are perfect for creating dried, broken earth with loads of texture. As they dry, they split and crack like sunbaked ground. Throw in some blackened tufts or burnt-out debris for extra drama. They’re also great for lava bases or anything touched by Chaos.
Try:
- Crackle or dry mud paints
- Black ash scatter
- Lava basing materials
Paint It All In
Don’t skip the finishing touches. Paint is what pulls everything together. Start with neutral tones like browns, greys and earthy colours, then build up layers with washes and drybrushing for depth. A quick coat of matte varnish will help protect all that hard work from chips and scratches during games.
Short on time?
Go Fully Pre-Made
If crafting bases from scratch isn’t your thing, or you just want to save time, ready-made scenic bases are a brilliant option. Just paint (or don’t), glue on your model, and go. You’ll find urban ruins, desert badlands, forest paths and more, all ready to go out of the box.
