Some Basing Tests

I had a go at painting up two bases today. The first is for my Heresy Ultramarines, and is based on Sidney Roundwood's World War I basing scheme. 

I'm happy with this scheme. I plan to paint the helmet in the colours of the Sons of Horus, the legion of fellow Dark Pact member Craig, and then once that is done to get a bit of grime on the duckboard and helmet. Painting time was incredibly fast, and really easy. 

I also painted up a quick urban base for my Deathwatch Kill Team. These are made of cork for the most part, so the texture naturally drybrushes well. I used some photos of real world examples to guide my colouration and ended up with this.

I did the road marking with a little masking tape and some yellows. I think it is a little luminous, so I am going to try and tone it down a little, but other that that I am quite happy with it. Again, painted up in no time.

I would be curious to know what readers think, so please do comment. Once I have refined the method I will post a tutorial for those who would like to see a step-by-step guide.

Basing 15mm World War II Russians

I've started basing up the Strelkovy Company to fight the Finns in the Jatkosota, or Continuation War. These figures have been painted for some time and have been awaiting completion, and frankly World War II isn't a priority for me. In any event, I did a test model using Polyfilla to build the base up to the metal feet of the miniature followed by Games Workshop's Stirland Mud texture paint and a drybrushing of Steel Legion Drab, and then some flock and stuff for a Autumnal look. Not really happy with the result, which to my mind was flat and just not rich enough. Here is a rather poor photo:

I then did another element using sand, and a base coat of Rhinox Hide followed by a Steel Legion Drab drybrush, and more Autumnal flock. The result is far more to my liking, it looks richer and creates a better blend with the figures on the base:

Once I have built my fabled light box, which might happen on Thursday if I am not in London, then I will post a step-by-step tutorial on how I do my bases with some better photos. In the meantime, please have a look at the photos below and let me know what you think.

The flocking materials I used are Games Workshops ancient green flock, and Hornby Skale Scenics foliage fibre clusters, late Autumn medium and a bag of fluffy yellow flock, also from Hornby. I was inspired by Doctor Faust's Painting Clinic on Youtube when it came to the bases, especially picking out the largely gravel bits in grey to break up the base. I also realised that I really made this harder than it needs to be by painting the figures unbased, and in the future I might just paint the figures in situ like he does. Have a look, I think it is a worth a watch.

 More to come of course.

Carry on.