Marcus Chen
Games Workshop is known for its Warhammer 40,000 franchise, which includes miniatures, video games, board games, and books. The company has been praised for its pre-sculpted bases, which are used to make the mini playable. While the bases are often an afterthought, Games Workshop offers various options and ideas for their design. For instance, during the Red Period of the early to mid-90s, models featured bright green grassy bases. Today, Games Workshop offers pre-sculpted bases for different game lines, such as Shattered Dominion for AoS and Shadespire bases. When painting bases, some people prefer to spray them separately before gluing the model, especially for sculpted bases. Additionally, texture paints can be used to create variation in thickness and simulate the ground texture at a small scale.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base colour | Steel Legion Drab, Dryad, Stirland, Astrogranite, Incubi Darkness, Retributor Armor, Shattered Dominion, White |
| Rim colour | Stormvermin Fur, Warboss Green |
| Techniques | Gluing sand, drybrushing, spraying, using texture paint, PVA glue, ballast |
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What You'll Learn
Colour choice
Another option is to spray the base with a colour that matches the theme of the miniature. For example, a desert-themed miniature could have a white base, while a snake tail could be sprayed with Incubi Darkness. The model can then be painted separately and glued to the base afterward. This technique can add a sense of weight to the miniature and is commonly used by Games Workshop for their pre-sculpted bases.
When choosing a colour for the base, it is important to consider the colour of the miniature itself. Using similar colours for the miniature and the base can create a visual mess, especially if they are not different enough in hue. For example, a Raven Guard army on dark grey bases or White Scars on a snowy tundra may not provide enough contrast. However, using complementary colours or varying hues can create a more cohesive and visually appealing composition.
One popular colour choice for bases is green, as seen in Games Workshop's "Red Period" from the early to mid-90s. This period featured bright green grassy bases, which can be recreated using PVA glue and fine basing ballast. Another option is to use GW's Texture Paints, which yield a slightly darker green but result in a similar overall appearance.
Additionally, the rim of the base can be painted a different colour from the main base to create a framing effect. Black is a popular choice for rims as it works well with almost any colour scheme and helps the model stand out against the table during gameplay.
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Priming
When choosing a primer colour, you have a few options. One popular option is to use a black primer, as it works well with almost any colour scheme you choose for your base. Black primer can also help to create a sense of depth and shadow on the base, making it look more realistic. Additionally, black primer can help separate the model from the table when playing a game, giving a nice contrast between the two.
Another option for primer colour is to use a light grey primer. This can be useful if you want to create a brighter, more vibrant base, as it provides a neutral starting point that can help your colours stand out. A light grey primer is also a good choice if you plan to use a lot of drybrushing techniques, as it can help create a subtle, faded look.
Some painters also like to use a white primer, especially if they're going for a lighter colour scheme or a more cartoonish look. White primer can make your colours appear brighter and more vivid, but it can be more difficult to work with as it may require more coats of paint to get an even finish.
When priming your bases, it's important to follow the instructions on your primer of choice. Typically, you'll want to shake the can well, hold it about 6-8 inches away from the base, and spray in thin, even coats to avoid pooling or dripping. Make sure to prime in a well-ventilated area and protect your workspace from overspray.
Once you've applied your primer, let it dry completely before moving on to the next step. Depending on the primer you use, you may need to lightly sand the base to smooth out any texture created by the primer. After priming, you can add additional texture to your base using modelling materials such as sand, gravel, or static grass. These materials can be glued down and drybrushed to create a natural, realistic look for your bases.
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Glue
Gluing is an important step in the process of painting Games Workshop models. The type of glue used is PVA glue, which is combined with fine basing ballast to create a textured base. This method is simple and effective, and many Games Workshop studio and 'Eavy Metal armies use this style.
When gluing the model to the base, it is important to consider whether to glue before or after painting. Some people prefer to glue the model to the base first and then paint, while others choose to paint the model and base separately and glue them together at the end. The latter method allows for more control over the final appearance, as it is easier to avoid getting paint on the model's feet or creating the appearance of the model sinking into the basing material.
It is also important to consider the colour of the glue when working with textured paints. If the model is glued to the base before painting, extra care must be taken to avoid getting textured paint on the model's feet, as it can be difficult to remove.
In terms of base colour, Games Workshop has been known to use dark grey bases for their Raven Guard models and snowy tundra bases for their White Scars models. However, it is important to differentiate between the base and the model to avoid a visual mess. Using different hues or adding mechanical bits can help to break up the colours and create a more appealing composition.
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Texture paint
Games Workshop's miniature bases can be painted using texture paint. This is a spreadable material that can be used to add texture and detail to the bases of Warhammer miniatures, dioramas, and other craft projects.
To create a textured base, you can follow these steps:
Preparing the Texture Paint
Start by choosing a charge material such as baking soda for a fine finish or miniature basing sand for a coarser texture. Add a small amount of the charge material to your paint and adjust the quantity until you achieve the desired texture. Mix thoroughly until you reach a paste-like consistency.
Adding Colour
Tint the paste with acrylics or pigments to achieve the desired colour. Mix different shades to create depth and realism in your texture. For example, you can mix various shades of brown to create a muddy or rocky effect.
Applying the Texture Paint
Use a palette knife or an old brush to apply the textured paint to the base. Sculpt and shape the paste to create the desired texture. You can create rocky, muddy, or sandy effects by adjusting the application and sculpting techniques.
Drying and Detailing
Allow the textured paint to dry completely. Drying times can vary depending on the thickness of the application and environmental conditions. Once dry, you can dry-brush and detail the textured surface as needed to match your project's theme. For example, you could dry-brush a rocky texture to highlight individual stones or add moss effects.
Attaching the Miniature
Once the base is fully textured, painted, and sealed, you can attach your compatible Warhammer miniature using modelling glue or cyanoacrylate glue. Ensure that the figure is centred and positioned appropriately on the base.
By following these steps, you can create immersive and captivating bases for your Warhammer miniatures, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
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Dry brushing
To dry brush, start by loading your brush with a lighter colour. A flat-shaped brush is usually recommended for dry brushing as it is easier to control. Wipe the brush on a paper towel until very little paint is coming off on the towel. Then, drag the brush across the surface of the model, being careful not to apply too much pressure or go too slowly, as this can cause the bristles to reach down into any shadowy cracks. Hold the brush perpendicular to the figure's highlights as you draw it across.
For example, to create a used look for jet engines on a miniature, you can dry brush with a dark brown paint around the end of the engines and back from the exhaust area. Then, use black paint and focus mostly near the exhaust, leaving some of the brown paint further back. This creates a soot-covered engine effect.
Another example is dry brushing metallic silver over a black base coat on chainmail armour to bring out the details and highlights.
It is important to note that dry brushing can damage your paintbrushes, so it is recommended to use older, ragged brushes or buy cheaper brushes specifically for this technique.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to paint Games Workshop bases, but a common method is to prime the base, add texture paint, and then paint over it. For example, one might prime the base, add texture paint such as Stirland or Astrogranite, and then paint over it with Steel Legion Drab washed with Agrax and dry-brushed with Karak Stone.
The colour of the base paint depends on the model. For example, a model with a desert theme might have a white base, while a model with a snake tail might have a base of Incubi Darkness. Games Workshop also has pre-sculpted bases with specific colour schemes, such as the Shattered Dominion bases for AoS.
It is important to consider the colour of the base in relation to the model. For example, using similar colours for the base and the model can create a visual mess unless there is something to help pull the two elements apart, such as a different hue or mechanical bits. Additionally, it is recommended to paint the base separately from the model to avoid the model appearing to sink into the basing material.
