Ni Gaukroger's basing technique

paulcummins · Post by **paulcummins** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:22 am

Ahh, suckered you in.....

Nik - could you tell us your basing techniques cos it looks really good (and if I use an army I have already painted I can rebase the whole lot

)

nikgaukroger · Post by **nikgaukroger** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:56 am

Blimey, never thought anyone would be asking me about this sort of thing

I use GW sand with some cork bits (again GW IIRC) mixed in for larger "lumps". Cover the entire base with this and leave for a day to dry out. Then dry brush with an off-white (I'm using a linen colur) to highlight and then glue clumps of static grass to finish - for the grass I again use GW stuff as it is a fairly light colour.

The overall effect is to get a quite light coloured base to contrast the figures. I use GW stuff as it is so easy to get hold of if not the cheapest - there'll be plenty of alternatives

MarkSieber · Post by **MarkSieber** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 2:47 pm

I'm in the States, and have noticed that the flocking on figures I've purchased from your side of the Pond is difficult to remove, and holds the figures down as well.

So, a few pesky questions: How do you attach the flock? ("cover the entire base") Is the flock dry or mixed with adhesive? What kind of adhesive do you use?

Thanks!

daleivan · Post by **daleivan** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 3:36 pm

nikgaukroger wrote:Blimey, never thought anyone would be asking me about this sort of thing

I use GW sand with some cork bits (again GW IIRC) mixed in for larger "lumps". Cover the entire base with this and leave for a day to dry out. Then dry brush with an off-white (I'm using a linen colur) to highlight and then glue clumps of static grass to finish - for the grass I again use GW stuff as it is a fairly light colour.

The overall effect is to get a quite light coloured base to contrast the figures. I use GW stuff as it is so easy to get hold of if not the cheapest - there'll be plenty of alternatives

Interesting, it had not occurred to use a fairly light colored base for contrast with the minis. Thanks! I'll have to check out the GW stuff at the local game shops, at least to compare it to the model railroad sand and grass

nikgaukroger · Post by **nikgaukroger** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 4:45 pm

MarkSieber wrote:I'm in the States, and have noticed that the flocking on figures I've purchased from your side of the Pond is difficult to remove, and holds the figures down as well.

So, a few pesky questions: How do you attach the flock? ("cover the entire base") Is the flock dry or mixed with adhesive? What kind of adhesive do you use?

Thanks!

I just use cheap PVA glue watered down a bit.

hazelbark · Post by **hazelbark** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:14 am

Nik is right. Lightly colored bases are best for the figures.

elmers glue and and about 1/10th part water works great for me.

hercimurthemediocre · Post by **hercimurthemediocre** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:42 am

MarkSieber wrote: So, a few pesky questions: How do you attach the flock? ("cover the entire base") Is the flock dry or mixed with adhesive? What kind of adhesive do you use?
Thanks!

I don't know if this is Nick's technique or not, but ...

I do a layering drybrush of the base before I flock (generally, in increasingly lighter shades of tan.)

I then attach the flock by dabbing the base with watered glue in patches of random size and amount (especially in places that are difficult to get to with the drybrushing and that break up the outline of the bases of the figs.)

May be obvious, but I'll use more flock for bases I want to look more "lush" and less for ones I want to look more arid.

Also, why drybrush if you're going to cover all of it up with flock? I aim to cover the larger "lumps" on the base with less flock to simulate a cluster of rocks/gravel.

Two things are worthy of note here:

1- If it sounds like a lot of time spent in basing/dry brushing/flocking, it is. More of a technique for the "perfectionist" as opposed to the "completeist."

2- I'm dealing with 25mm figs, so to me it is worth the effort.

frederic · Post by **frederic** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:32 am

Hi Nik,
Any pics to show us the nice result.
I've checked on your site but unfortunately, I didn't find any one

.

nikgaukroger · Post by **nikgaukroger** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:54 am

None on my site I'm afraid - intend to but never seem to have the time

Some of the ones in Neil Hammond's account of our game in Helsinki may give an idea, but to be honest they're probably too long distance.

willb · Post by **willb** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:59 pm

there are a couple of pictures that are fairly close. see viewtopic.php?t=7116

frederic · Post by **frederic** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:10 pm

willb wrote:there are a couple of pictures that are fairly close. see viewtopic.php?t=7116

Thanks, the picture showing the bagage nicely shows Nic's basing job