I have a minor pet peeve (what exactly is a peeve anyways, and do they really make good pets?)... Bases.
There is the eternal debate, does the base count as part of a model? People seem to be just as likely to say no as yes. But then, even those who say yes are likely to slack off and paint a decent model, but put no effort into the base at all. I hate that.
Now, Im not saying I go all out on my bases, far from it. My standard is gluing sand on before priming, painting it beastal or scorched brown, then drybrushing the top and painting the rim with snakebite leather. If Im feeling really ambitious Ill glue a bit of GW's static grass on it. The point is, I put some small amount of effort into my bases and treat them as part of the whole of the model.
If there is some thought in it, the plain black base works, especially if its obviously a display model. What doesnt work is the plain black base with paint splotches all over. Mono-color bases work... mono-color (or even multi-color) bases that have patchy rims dont. Im not trying to pick fights. We all know there is too much drama on the 'net as is. My point is I see models Id feel embarrassed to set up against marred by a base that looks like it was cut from my painting desk, splotches and all.
Am I off my rocker and yelling at the invisible younglings to get off my lawn? Or is this something others notice and like/dislike? Maybe if there is interest Ill pull out my bag of extra bases and work out a few examples....
12 comments:
I'm right there with you. To me, nothing ruins a well painted army like splotchy, unfinshed bases. I always take the time to base my models and feel that it is an important part of the model.
I agree - I don't consider my models finished until they have been based, I think a bare base makes the model look incomplete, and a paint splattered with paint just looks terrible.
I was actually thinking about doin a post about this exact topic on my blog, just havent had time yet, though I feel the same way about basing. However, I think that if a poor to average painter would learn to base well, which is easily accomplished, their models would look far better on the tabletop. And like you said even a great paintjob can be ruined by poor basing. I always take time to do at least sand with paint and two extra highlights drybrushed on with static grass and paint on the rim. Ambitious models get debris or swamps, etc.
No definitely agree. Bases get the shaft when really they deserve the 5 minutes it takes to clean them up. You can easily do a good job on a base at about 5 minutes each - and for the difference they make in the appearance of the models are well worth it. I'll try to get some pics of my mordheim warband up, as they are painted pretty crappy, but a decent base makes them look great from a couple feet away.
Same here mate. For my IG my bases actually have more highlighting stages than some parts of the mini itself!
The great thing is that basing is probably the quickest and easiest part of the model to finish (to at least an average tabletop standard), yet seems to be the most visual jump of the model going from WIP to complete.
I hate basing models with a passion, but I still make an effort. My SMs have sand and dry brushed browns bases, but for my orks i've been uber lazy, just choosing to paint the whole base black.
I sometimes look at my 200+ orks and think they look a bit shoddy, but at least it's neat, and uniform. And I really don't think I could face basing them now!
I used to hate basing, but I was never so lazy to leave paint splotches on them. My oldest models had a mono-color on the bases (Goblin Green). After a while, I experimented with basing materials and grass, and I really got into it. Now, I really love basing, and I put a lot of effort into them.
In the end, it's about your comfortability level. They're your models; if you're happy with them that's all that matters :)
Well said and you are perfectly right. And, it's okay to yell at younglings to get off your yard anyway.
Bases need to be done. A poor paint job is elevated to a decent effort just by adding a simple painted, sanded, drybrushed base. How I hate doing them, sooo boring... but I just have to!
Good clean simple bases make all the difference and can make a poor or basic paint job look that much better. They also help bring units together and make them look more cohesive.
Only additional question is do you flock your movement trays (for those of us who play WHFB not 40k)?
Ive never actually done much with movement trays (as far as painting). Ive always seen them as a game aid, like templates... but yeah, they probably should be done as well...
If the rain ever decides to quit, Im going to base a few bases and actually do something with them, I think.
From the Word Detective:
"A "peeve" is something that annoys or irritates you, and since irritation is a highly individual emotion, one's "peeve" mileage may vary from one's neighbor's. I am "peeved," for instance, by people who assume that my license plates (which refer rather cryptically to books) mean that I spend every waking hour rooting for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Buckophiles, conversely, are probably peeved at the cool disdain with which I disclaim any pro-Buckeye sentiments. "
http://www.word-detective.com/060704.html
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