[Tutorial] Simple basing (wooden planks)

This article will show you, how to build a base with wooden planks. This method will work best with Mordheim or fantasy miniatures.

Let’s start with a list of things you need:
- PVA glue
- cutter knife
- Green Stuff
- Some bases (doesn’t matter if round or square)
- craftsticks
- sand
- grass flock
- brushes




You need some paints as well. Any color range will do it, but I use GW colors:
- Chaos black
- Scorched brown
- Bestial brown
- Space Wolf grey
- Codex grey

Episode 1: a base with wooden planks

Step 1: Cut or break the craftsticks into three small pieces (I recommend to break it for a more realistic look). The pieces should be a bit longer than the base. Again break two of the pieces in half.

Step 2: Glue the pieces with PVA glue to the base. The longest in the middle of the base, the shorter ones aside it. Be sure to keep a gap between the parts. Let the glue dry.



Step 3: Prime the planks black and especially paint the gaps, too.

Step 4: Now drybrush the planks with scorched brown.



Step 5: Drybrush again with bestial brown, especially the edges.



If you want an alternate wood colour, change step 5 to this:
Step 5a: Mix Scorched Brown with a bit of Space Wolf Grey (ratio 4:1)



Step 5b: Add more grey to the mix and drybrush carefully a second time.



That’s it. The base is finished. Easy, wasn’t it?
Here’s an example of one of my Mordheim Dwarven Adventurers, which I did with the method.



I hope you like my small article.If there are any questions you would like to ask, just send me an email or pm and I’ll answer them. Now, what are you all waiting for? Get your paints and brushes and start working!

Cheers,
Rancid

Where did you use the Green Stuff for?

Worth mentioning that a certain coffee chain whose name rhymes with starsucks has a more or less infinite supply of free "craft sticks" in the form of coffee stirrers...

jackanory wrote:

starsucks

I used to do the same with McDonald's, giving me a poor excuse to eat there. Those were the days back then, years ago...

I later decided to invest 10 Euro in a box of 1000 sticks. The problem with McD sticks is that they have rounded edges which makes it a pain to cut each of them. I think the "sucky" sticks you mentioned do not have that problem.

Are these durable? It doesn't seem like they'd last but maybe varnish will give them some toughness?

I was thinking of doing wooden plank bases for my witch hunters and this seems like a lot less work (and money!) than doing it with green stuff. And I'm not sure yet but I think I might like the look of this better.

hero wrote:

Are these durable? It doesn't seem like they'd last but maybe varnish will give them some toughness?

The wood soaks up the paint, so it doesnt chip off like it would on plastic or metal minis. That being said, a coast of varnish never hurt any miniatures.

In general, the plank bases are very easy, cheap, and good looking.

Yeah I bought a box from our local coffee shop.

AND

Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks.

I used matches on my first warband, minus the heads, of course. It wirked quite well.

Cool! Thanks very much Rancid. I need to do some quay / dock / jetty themed bases for an up and coming campaign. I've got some cobblestone bases already, but wouldn't mind having some wooden ones too.... Might be doing some swashbuckling action on a ship too! Will defo be using this tutorial...

Always wondered one thing, in regard to all these specialty bases — how do you actual mount the mini? Do you pin the feet to the base? Just superglue it? I see all these custom bases with no slottas, and have always wondered how people went about doing this.

Thanks.

Lord Xi wrote:

Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks.

Pfft. I like Starbucks

Cool little tutorial though

Ordo Septenarius wrote:

Always wondered one thing, in regard to all these specialty bases — how do you actual mount the mini? Do you pin the feet to the base? Just superglue it? I see all these custom bases with no slottas, and have always wondered how people went about doing this.

Thanks.

With me, it depends. On these kind of wooden bases, just supergluieing/carefull application of PVA works fine. On bases with more details or a more uneven structure, or when having miniatures with only a small area actually touching the base, I pin them with copper wire for more stability.

I've had very good luck with plastic card.
The trick is to cut the plank to the desired thickness, and overly long, then put the GW saw, or any jewellers saw for that matter, on it vertically and scrap really heavily in one direction. Doing only one stroke of this cuts a deep grain into the 'wood' which is picked up well with washes, and being plasticcard, you can glue the model directly to it.
you can use this method to create planks not only for bases but also to make wagons and such-like.