Earlier this month I was asked if I would give details of how I model, paint and finish my terrain bases. In most of my magazine articles I tend to skim over how the bases are finished, preferring to spend the bulk of the time on the scratch built or modified piece of terrain. In this short series it is my intention to give a much more detailed explanation of the materials used and the techniques I employ to build my bases.
It is NOT my intention to dictate how you should finish off your own bases but more of an insight into how I do it. I can confirm that with very little variation this is the technique that I have been using for over twenty years. If you have any questions please get back in touch with me in the comment section.
To begin.....
Most of my terrain is based on 3mm or 5mm thick plastic card. The card I use is more often than not ex advertising signs, FOR SALE signs or blank plastic card used for signs or display purposes. In the image above I have shown two examples - the first a display sign picked up from a DIY store (old advertising sign) and the second a blank piece of 3mm thick plastic card picked up for free at a trade show (a damaged wall panel).
In the past I have used various thicknesses of MDF and even mounting card (used by picture framers) but for the last couple of years the 3mm or 5mm thick plastic card has been my go-to material for terrain bases.
The plastic card is cut with a large (18mm) snap-off bladed craft knife. I find that it is best to draw around the piece of terrain or model you intend to base and cut the plastic card slightly larger than you need - you can always trim the base later.
Please note that in this example - a small barricade (Alternative Armies resin piece - see this link) I have made the base slightly larger than I would normally to show my basing technique in greater detail.
The edges are then chamfered with the same snap-off bladed knife.
And then sanded smooth with medium sandpaper. In this example I have cut the base in to a lozenge shape but I can just as easily have shaped it in to a round or oval design.
In part two I will explain how I prepare the base for the model and the DAS modelling clay.
Once again if you have any questions, please contact me via the comment section.
Tony
