Cygnar Bases

Here's the process I've developed to base my Cygnar models (from here on out that is; some of my older models are much simpler)... Make sure you allow plenty of drying time between each stage.

1. Paint entire inside area of base, including any cork, with VGC Earth.
2. Using 50/50 PVA glue to water to glue my ballast/sand mix into place.
3. Wash the entire base with a wash of P3 Battlefield Brown.
4. For cork bases, add P3 Armor Wash to the original wash; apply in the deep recesses.
   
5. Dry brush or stipple VGC Earth onto the natural highlights.
   
6. Clean up black border on base; paint front arc markings in VGC Imperial Blue.
   
7. Using above PVA mix, glue "Summer Flock" into place*.
   
8. One strong layer of Testor's Gloss Coat, following by 2 light coats of Tester's DullCote**.
9. Using above PVA mix, glue tufts of my static grass mix into place***.

*My "Summer Flock" is a 50/50 mix of Woodland Scenics Green Blend and Burnt Grass, with some sprinkles of GF9's Summer Blend to whatever looks right to me. The GF9 stuff is too bright without the other colors. And a good flock is always a mix. Experiment!

**I use two different spray varnishes for a couple reasons: 1) gloss is actually the stronger protector. The stuff was designed glossy, and the process that makes it dull weakens it chemically. 2) I use my models; a lot, in some cases. Having a layer of gloss coat at the bottom lets you know when the dull coat is wearing off so you can reapply before the paint is damaged. 3) I have this pesky problem where all the matte medium I use (and I use a lot) interacts with dull coat and turns a milky white in the deep recesses where it should be black. It's very annoying. I've found gloss coat doesn't interact with the matter medium. 4) I find something satisfying about bringing all the mixed gloss/satin/matte of the model up to an even gloss, and then down to an even dull, helps bring all the colors into alignment and blends away a lot of little color gradient goofs.

***My static grass mix is a roughly 50/50 mix of classic bright green static grass and GF9's Winter/Dead grass. It mutes the intensity of the green grass enough that you don't need to dry brush the grass if you don't want to. It looks more realistic, in my opinion.

So that's it. Documented for posterity. I'll post some pictures of my Centurion that I finally finished later on today or tomorrow...

Finally, some photos... figure since this is a post about basing, I'd start there.












Then show the whole model...























Angle 2
Angle 3
Angle 4

----------------
Now playing: "Dig It" by Skinny Puppy