This being an older video, but very popular I wonder if it might be worth doing a revised basics series. Better video, better audio, and I'm sure there are a few new tricks you've picked up in the past 4 years. I know I'd watch it. It's good reference material when you're back to it after not having done any in a while.
Great tutorial...I always enjoy seeing experienced modelers and painters take a step back and show the basics that have become second nature to them, but still a challenge to many others...very nicely done....looking forward to your next post in the series...Jim.
For (ultra cheap) little rocks and dirt and whatnot, apart from just digging up your back yard, your local dollar store might have tubs of the stuff. It's used by the womenfolk for their scrapbooking/girly craft stuff, and you can buy a whole tub of little painted rocks or whatever for $2. Which is about $500 cheaper than the Games Workshop stuff. ;)
Another good basing material, my preference, is used tea leaves. I drink a lot of tea, and every so often, I'll rip open a bag and leave the contents to dry, on a bit of paper towel on a window sill. That gets me plenty of material for several minis, and it's essentially free. If you're a coffee drinker, save your grounds.
Love the videos. I've used PVA to set my (1/72 plastic) figures on to their base in the past. I like the spackling idea because it looks like it retains shape much better. Any suggestions on the Paste, i.e. things I should avoid?? Thanks!
Great series. I hope there's a lot more to come. FWIW what I do for little rocks is I take some Aves putty- mix it into a thin bar shape then when dry, put it in a baggie and whack it with a hammer. It'll break up into pieces with interesting angular shapes. So you don't have to buy something extra when you have AVes in your stash (and no, I have no financial interest in Aves ;-) ).
I really like those rounded edge round bases - best place to buy different size rounds? I'm just recently getting back into "the hobby" after literally couple decades.
simonsickboy not sure where to buy them, but they're the bases from the game Malifaux :) you probably found this though as it was a few months ago haha.
Just found your BASICS videos. I'll be using these to help me customize Hasbro Marvel Legends figures, but much of this stuff is still applicable. Thank you very much for making these!
Whenever I want to cover spaces, holes gaps between arms legs or figure and base I use to melt the plastic from net that holds the figures. What do you think? Is it a smart solution or dumb?
Great video! I learned a lot... The only thing I would ask is that a few times things shifted from camera view and I couldn't see exactly what you were doing. Wasn't a big problem though!
I remember long ago you used to recommend a paint+sand mixture, such as Renaissance Ink's Flocking Gel, would you still recommend that for a quick and easy way of doing bases, or is it better to just get grit and use the technique you mention here?
The spackle holds up just fine. Must remember it is subsequently covered with a layer of glue (for placement of fine/coarse grit base) and then it is painted over (essentially). Been using this technique for over five years and no degradation present despite routine usage for tabletop wargaming.
Ack, the one part I was most curious to see your hand was in the way the whole time. Did you sprinkle it on top or put the whole base in and shook it around? I have no idea.
I've been having a problem with the primer "Cracking" on the model and leaving that dried dirt field look over the model. Its a new problem and wasn't happening with previous primes. I don't know if I'm somehow doing too much or if there is more moisture in the air or something that may be causing it-- is this something you've encountered??
How do you handle miniatures with pewter/lead bases? Do you cut them off and pin them? I've watched quite a few of your videos but i haven't seen you sawing any off. I saw you recommend some of the Fenris Games stands and i notice they have some deep recess ones; i wonder if that would be an option. Also have you checked out Scenic Expresses tufts and grass blends? They look pretty decent and are quite cheap. 48oz for $9 for something like the middle of the road Alpine Meadow grass blend. I've just started digging out the old miniatures i stored away 20+ years ago and your videos have been a wealth of information and inspiration! Thanks for your efforts!
Do you think it is better basing them before you paint, or after? I have some painted that I want to base, but I don't want to get anything on the miniature. I see some people have videos that base them after they painted. Also, do you ever use the Green Stuff? I've used Spackeling Paste before for terrain building.
So I've had a problem with priming my models recently(after none before) where the primer will crack on the model and leave a surface that kinda looks like a dried out field in the summer. I hadn't been spraying any longer then a quick pass so I'm not sure if the moisture in the air or what was causing this. Any ideas??
Hope this isn't too off-topic but could you tell me what camera you use for these and how you setup? I'd like to join the TH-camrs of the world with some instructional vids but need some pointers. Your videos are awesome (been downloading them all!). Hope you get this and can help. Thanks. :-)
You basically (no pun intended) have two options; plastic and resin. If you look *really* hard you might still be able to find some white metal (read: lead-free pewter) bases out there if that's what you want, though I'd personally stick with either plastic or resin. If you're just looking for some plain round or square plastic bases (like what usually comes with a miniature) you can just hit eBay and type in something like "32mm round plastic bases" as an example and you'll see all kinds of listings. These have the advantage of usually being cheap (I've come across lots of 100 for very low prices) but they require to add rocks, sand and such. Otherwise you can order sculpted resin bases; there's a wide variety of them out there, depicting a lot of different fantasy and sci-fi themes. They're going to cost more, but then all you have to do is paint them and attach the miniature and you're done.
This being an older video, but very popular I wonder if it might be worth doing a revised basics series. Better video, better audio, and I'm sure there are a few new tricks you've picked up in the past 4 years. I know I'd watch it. It's good reference material when you're back to it after not having done any in a while.
Great tutorial...I always enjoy seeing experienced modelers and painters take a step back and show the basics that have become second nature to them, but still a challenge to many others...very nicely done....looking forward to your next post in the series...Jim.
Hey, Thanks for doing these videos! I'm super excited to get started on my mini's and you've really helped me get a handle on where to start.
I like it when you use cheap/alternative approaches.
Frugal modelling is cool!
@blueparasaur I've done that with dried clay as well.
For (ultra cheap) little rocks and dirt and whatnot, apart from just digging up your back yard, your local dollar store might have tubs of the stuff.
It's used by the womenfolk for their scrapbooking/girly craft stuff, and you can buy a whole tub of little painted rocks or whatever for $2. Which is about $500 cheaper than the Games Workshop stuff. ;)
Another good basing material, my preference, is used tea leaves. I drink a lot of tea, and every so often, I'll rip open a bag and leave the contents to dry, on a bit of paper towel on a window sill. That gets me plenty of material for several minis, and it's essentially free. If you're a coffee drinker, save your grounds.
DrawnSteelHero interesting! I'll have to give that a go
Depends on the surface size of the join. Superglue, or if it's necessary, superglue and pins.
Black primer fits with my method of layering. You can paint it whatever color you want. This is just my way.
Still nice solid advice, I really enjoy your videos. One thing, I had a bit paint to my white glue when I put the grass. It helps with the volume.
Love the videos. I've used PVA to set my (1/72 plastic) figures on to their base in the past. I like the spackling idea because it looks like it retains shape much better. Any suggestions on the Paste, i.e. things I should avoid?? Thanks!
It's great to see some more videos from you! Cheers!
baking soad and CA glue work well for a nice effect - I got thst tip from tabletopminions , he usually uses that or kitty litter, sometimes cork.
thank you for your inquiry on base's. .and how to
Great series. I hope there's a lot more to come.
FWIW what I do for little rocks is I take some Aves putty- mix it into a thin bar shape then when dry, put it in a baggie and whack it with a hammer. It'll break up into pieces with interesting angular shapes. So you don't have to buy something extra when you have AVes in your stash (and no, I have no financial interest in Aves ;-) ).
Never heard of that. Best guess would either be a bad can of primer or something on the surface of the mini.
I really like those rounded edge round bases - best place to buy different size rounds? I'm just recently getting back into "the hobby" after literally couple decades.
simonsickboy not sure where to buy them, but they're the bases from the game Malifaux :) you probably found this though as it was a few months ago haha.
Just found your BASICS videos. I'll be using these to help me customize Hasbro Marvel Legends figures, but much of this stuff is still applicable. Thank you very much for making these!
Yes.
do you have a video on putting together the models?
Whenever I want to cover spaces, holes gaps between arms legs or figure and base I use to melt the plastic from net that holds the figures. What do you think? Is it a smart solution or dumb?
Heard of it. Haven't tired it myself.
Do you have one of how to make grass base?
Great video! I learned a lot... The only thing I would ask is that a few times things shifted from camera view and I couldn't see exactly what you were doing. Wasn't a big problem though!
found your videos very helpful just getting back into the hobby again and i needed a refresh subbed :)
I remember long ago you used to recommend a paint+sand mixture, such as Renaissance Ink's Flocking Gel, would you still recommend that for a quick and easy way of doing bases, or is it better to just get grit and use the technique you mention here?
Use this method. My old paint sand combo was very crude.
hey, questions about using the spackle. Now 13 years after posting this video, does the spackle hold up? or has it chipped??
The spackle holds up just fine. Must remember it is subsequently covered with a layer of glue (for placement of fine/coarse grit base) and then it is painted over (essentially). Been using this technique for over five years and no degradation present despite routine usage for tabletop wargaming.
Ack, the one part I was most curious to see your hand was in the way the whole time. Did you sprinkle it on top or put the whole base in and shook it around?
I have no idea.
+Amber Gaucher Sort of a dunk and swirl for the fine grits. Larger stuff sprinkle.
what type of glue do you use to attach the mini to the base, just plain old super glue or something else?
+Nick Lloyd Super Glue.
I've been having a problem with the primer "Cracking" on the model and leaving that dried dirt field look over the model. Its a new problem and wasn't happening with previous primes. I don't know if I'm somehow doing too much or if there is more moisture in the air or something that may be causing it-- is this something you've encountered??
What primer do you use for your figures ?
Aquarium sand works at times, and I have a various sand/soil samples from around the world I run thru a hand cranked flour sifter.
My favorite that I have to avoid overusing is Hawaiian black sand.
What is the name of the spatula tool you used?
How do you handle miniatures with pewter/lead bases? Do you cut them off and pin them? I've watched quite a few of your videos but i haven't seen you sawing any off. I saw you recommend some of the Fenris Games stands and i notice they have some deep recess ones; i wonder if that would be an option.
Also have you checked out Scenic Expresses tufts and grass blends? They look pretty decent and are quite cheap. 48oz for $9 for something like the middle of the road Alpine Meadow grass blend.
I've just started digging out the old miniatures i stored away 20+ years ago and your videos have been a wealth of information and inspiration! Thanks for your efforts!
+Galactus Maximus Yes, cut and pin them for resin bases.
i have scibor goblin resin minis that came with resin bases. The goblins have a flat bottom. how do i adhere the two? pins? glue? both?
Has any of the plaster cracked off of any of your miniatures? I know it cracks easy from doing drywall work.
Nope.
Is that the same Spackeling paste i can get at the hardware store...? Or is is a modeling specific product?
Do you think it is better basing them before you paint, or after? I have some painted that I want to base, but I don't want to get anything on the miniature. I see some people have videos that base them after they painted. Also, do you ever use the Green Stuff? I've used Spackeling Paste before for terrain building.
Depends on how much detail is on the base. If you made some epic base, then paint them separately.
So I've had a problem with priming my models recently(after none before) where the primer will crack on the model and leave a surface that kinda looks like a dried out field in the summer. I hadn't been spraying any longer then a quick pass so I'm not sure if the moisture in the air or what was causing this. Any ideas??
Great this will be enjoyable.
As this is a basics video, why the base coat of paint? Why black? Are there reasons I would choose different colours?
where did you get the base? what is it made of? size in mm?
+E-4 Airman It comes with the mini. 32mm. Plastic.
Best channel ever :)
What brand of primer do you use?
Hope this isn't too off-topic but could you tell me what camera you use for these and how you setup? I'd like to join the TH-camrs of the world with some instructional vids but need some pointers. Your videos are awesome (been downloading them all!). Hope you get this and can help. Thanks. :-)
Canon R300.
Why not add the rocks to the spackle while it is drying to save time? It should do the same thing.
can anyone tell me WHAT KIND OF BASE to use to mount your miniatures on !!!!!
like plastic ones? you can order tons of them online
You basically (no pun intended) have two options; plastic and resin. If you look *really* hard you might still be able to find some white metal (read: lead-free pewter) bases out there if that's what you want, though I'd personally stick with either plastic or resin. If you're just looking for some plain round or square plastic bases (like what usually comes with a miniature) you can just hit eBay and type in something like "32mm round plastic bases" as an example and you'll see all kinds of listings. These have the advantage of usually being cheap (I've come across lots of 100 for very low prices) but they require to add rocks, sand and such. Otherwise you can order sculpted resin bases; there's a wide variety of them out there, depicting a lot of different fantasy and sci-fi themes. They're going to cost more, but then all you have to do is paint them and attach the miniature and you're done.
Which brand/type of Medium do you use? The bottle type or tub version?
Currently using Golden regular gel in the tub.
It's probably that you haven't shaken the spray can enough. When you spray a lot of gas is sprayed instead of the color. The gas leaves that bad look.
What's the Mini in the video?
Warmachine Bile Thrall.
They would be buried then and not give as much texture.
can't see half the stuff you doing, bad camera angle
Dude the model is in the middle of the screen the whole time
+Quinaul Smean I think he means when he's adding the fine grit
Same stuff. Ordinary spackle.
Not really. Just slap on and let dry. Smooth with a wet brush if necessary.
And is that a Warmachine Bile Thrall?
Yes and that is a sculpting tool.
can you paint Russian infantry please?
I did.
oh ok also could you do Russian ISU tanks heavy assault
I bought a sack half as big as me for au$40 so yeah I will never need to buy it again
6:37 NICE HAND -.- but great video otherwise
Another great inexpensive 'sand' for basing miniatures .... cat litter.