How I handle integral bases depends on the base and how I want to base the figure. The easiest is to do an outdoors base. I glue the figure down to a plastic base, schlop CA glue all around it, then dip it into a bin of mixed size gravel (railroad ballast). Let it sit a minute, then another layer of CA glue and another dip until the edge matches up, then a layer that builds onto the base to blend the two in.
You can also use GS or wood putty or a number of other things to build up around the integral base and blend it in. GS or similar putties are probably the best answer if your integral base has a texture like cobblestones or planks that you want to match.
If I\'m doing the kind of base where I need to work up the base separately and then attach the figure, then I use clippers, dremel and files, and lots of time.
I have to admit I think you\'d be unlikely to hit high scores with the older sculpts. Dragons are a bit of an exception, they were always larger and allowing for more room to sculpt in detail, and there are a lot of dragon fans. A lot of voters really do vote \'cool mini or not\', not cool paint job or not, so for most people, their opinions of the sculpt is a fairly significant factor in what they vote. Though there are some folks who appreciate the older sculpts and that it sometimes takes more effort to paint them well and score higher.
I agree SaxonAngel\'s work on older sculpts is great. I believe it also scores a little lower than her work in the same time period with more modern sculpts. Also much of it is from a year ago or more, and average scores do drop a little each year as people push the envelope of what\'s possible. I\'m not sure even SaxonAngel would get the same scores if she posted those minis today.
That\'s not to say I think you shouldn\'t work on the older sculpts, you do good work on them and it seems like you\'re having fun! You could try a newer sculpt every now and then just to see what kind of ratings and comments you get when sculpt is less of a factor.
