Basing for my Dwarfs (A week later...)

I've been quite busy for the past week. I really wanted to post this on Monday, but MAN I've had too much to do! Oh well, let's jump right into things.

Wasteland Tufts from Games-Workshop

Blister packaging makes a nice tray

 I had already done some standard basing on my Dwarfs but I wanted to add a little more color and create a bit a interest on them. They're a boring grey so I chose the Games-Workshop wasteland tufts to add a little extra pop.
The tufts are basically a small clump of flock glued together made to look like a tuft of weeds growing together. They're easy to use, just peel and glue.

Small drop or two

I try and keep the plastic from blister packs because they're great for things like this. Put a little bit of white glue (Elmers if you're cheap. Hint: I am), and grab an old spare brush with a decent tip to it. I've been using the same brush for putting on basing for about 3 years.
Next scoop up a small blob and apply in a spot or
two of your choosing on your model.







And it'll look something like this. Really look at the position of the model and any basing you may already have in place. Don't just slap it on wherever, think about the end result you want to achieve.  I think most of the time, less is more when you're basing.

Tufts in place

 Try not to overwhelm the base with extras and add-ons. You're trying to enhance your model, not drown it out. I want my Dwarfs to look like they're marching through a wasteland mountain pass, not tromping through a wheat field!

Here's the end result for the model. Just two tufts in place to add more color to the dull grey of the mountain-theme I'm working with.

Basing before tufts...

... and after tufts!

Here's an above angle shot of the unit with the regular basing. Dull, grey and BORING. Lame.

I should note,dull and boring CAN serve as a tool for enhancing your paint scheme. The Dwarfs have green trim and lots of gold and silver on them so using a grey stone look for the basing helps make those colors stand out a little more. This unit is a bad example however, cause they all have Grey beards. In the unit of Hammerers, there's an assortment of blonde, brown, and red beards to break up the monotony.  



Here's the unit with all the basing tufts added. Still a little dull theme-wise, but now with added color and texture to draw your eyes down the model to the base. Dwarven mountains are not exactly the sexiest theme to choose for basing, but I wanted to stay true to fluff. An army of Dwarfs marching to war over luscious green pastures would just look silly. Also, dumb. 


I did all the tufts for this unit in about 20 minutes. Easy!

I highly advise a little extra attention to detail for your basing if you want to add some pizzazz to your models. Taking another 10 minutes can make your troops look 10 times more interesting on the battlefield. Go forth!