arrrghhhh!!!!! bases!!!!

[Springbok]

I think of myself as a fairly good miniature painter, then I take my freshly painted mini and put it on the base I made..... the result...... it looks rubbish!!!!:cussing:. Are bases really that important? can\'t my mini just be standing on a black base and still retain it\'s dignity? Where is my drink?

 

[nick232]

it depends on how you want it to look like. if you want it to look realistic then make a base it not then what ever you want if it is a gaming piece then i would say you need to make a base.

 

[Rigged4Mini]

Basing is like pimping. Its not easy...but its necessary.

 

[freakinacage]

you just said that when you put it on the base it looks rubbish. kinda answers your question. a base can make or break a mini (well, not quite but it does make a difference)

 

[Amazon warrior]

I sympathise. Basing is my least favourite bit, too. But I\'m learning, slowly (I hope!). Lots of experimentation seems to be the way forward.

 

[lizcam]

Basing is so important I\'ve actually been just scratch building bases to get the hang of them. No minis for them, just bases. I guess they will be used eventually, but, yes, bases are that important. And actually, I\'ve found they can be a lot of fun too. I used to hate that part but if you do the base seperate as if it was a mini to be judged by it\'s self they can actually be pretty rewarding.

 

[Dragon Forge Design]

Yes basing is important to me.. if I vote any figure with no base work on a plain black base loose -2 in the score..

Its not that hard a skill to learn. so do it

 

[generulpoleaxe]

i can spend up to four hours just making the base, forget the figure.

have you ever seen any one using tweezers to pluck out bits of grass that look too uniformal and not natural?

because that\'s the lengths i go to with my bases.

the base sets the mood as well as give you an insight into setting of the scene.
just imagine the setting for your mini and then build it.

 

[Hinton]

Basing can help get a mini a sense of setting and amtosphere, so I think it helps to have something on the base, even if it\'s dirt.

Some bases do, in my opinion, go a bit overboard and actually overshadow the mini, so I think basing can be taken too far.

 

[freakinacage]

i just have to add that i love basing - it\'s the most fun part and usually the only part that i finish!

 

[Arkzein]

Don\'t worry, you\'re not the only one. I just try and put out something that doesn\'t detract too much from the mini itself most of the time. Hate basing. Quick few drybrushes and some static grass but even that is far and away better than plain black, and I still begrudge the 10 minutes it takes.

However on single pieces rather than your bog standard model for some reason I rather enjoy it, really can add a lot of atmosphere.

As for how important? Honestly I would say not hugely so (but I would being biased). It does add that special something when done well but as long as it doesn\'t take anything away by being of such horrible quality compared to the mini you can\'t help noticing it I\'d be happy. I\'m of the \"If you don\'t notice the base it\'s doing its job\" camp. lol

 

[lono]

Painting minis is really hard work, but even someone as demotivated and crappy at finishing off projects as me has no problems pouring hours into making cool bases. I think it\'s well worth it. Can totally make a mini.

Having said that, if you are really struggling with basing, don\'t force yourself. If you\'re doing a display piece and really don\'t feel confident about basing, buying a premade base to paint, or getting a good plinth and carefully applying a little sand, rocks and static grass is a much better option than overstretching yourself.

 

[Torn blue sky]

All your base belong to us now!

I need to get myself sorted out with that too. I\'m a bad offender.

 

[generulpoleaxe]

springbok, if you ever want to run an idea past me via pm\'s to do with basing feel free.

sometimes a basic wargaming base can be lifted with a few washes and an addition of say a coke can slightly crumpled.

it doesn\'t have to be complex, it just needs to be done neatley and fit the model. (no point in doing a swamp and then painting a model that looks all clean and parade ground like)

 

[spazzy]

I\'m with DFD. Not that I\'m the best at basing, but I figure it\'s like the rest of it, just takes some practice.

 

[Springbok]

Thank you for the offer generulpoleaxe, might take you up that. Just filled up a tub with beachsand...... let the experiments begin!

 

[freakinacage]

i\'d offer advice if you want it but tbh you\'re better off asking genrulepoleaxe!

 

[noneedforaname]

your best bet if your in southampton is to go to the GW there and talk to the manager Rod as he paints to a very high standard and will have lots of advice on both basing and painting for you.

 

[generulpoleaxe]

mate, you come up with cool ideas and that\'s have of the job.

the other half is just practicing techniques to execute the idea.

 

[Jericho]

I think one key word has come up in the discussion of bases so far: Atmosphere.

Vader and the Emperor trying to kill Luke wouldn\'t be as intense if they were on the bridge of the Tea Party Friendship Star. It\'s the freaking Death Star man!

Setting matters, and with minis the base establishes setting. Using standard flock on a green base is fine if your guy has a manicured lawn in the suburbs, not the ruins of a post-apocalyptic hell. A really awesome scenic base pulls your imagination into a different world, and a bad one reminds you that you\'re looking at an inch tall piece of plastic. Simple can be good, but a real good base usually requires some thought and planning.