I’m currently working on models and clue markers to go with my Australian ‘The Silver Bayonet’ expansion and thought I’d better record how I’m doing the bases, lest I forget and have to figure it out all over again. I also figured my process might be useful for anyone else trying to create Australian bases or scenery. So here we go.
Step 1: A solid black undercoat
Step 2: Apply a generous dollop of Stirland Battlemire, or a similar texture paint and smoosh it around until it looks somewhat realistic.
Step 3: Once the texture paint is dry, cover the base in Skrag Brown, or a similar light-reddish brown paint. Let dry.
Step 4: Apply a heavy dark-brown wash such as Agrax Earthshade, and let dry.
Step 5: Apply a medium drybrush of a lighter, more reddish brown than that used in step 3. I use a 2:1 mix of Skrag Brown and Evil Sunz Scarlet.
Step 6: Apply a light drybrush of the original brown from step 3.
Step 7: Paint the rim black. At this point I also seal the base with spray varnish. I use a satin varnish to give a kind of desert-pavement feel, but there’s no reason you can’t use a matt varnish if you prefer.
Step 8: Add some yellowish grass tufts to represent spinifex. I use Army Painter Mountain Tuft.
Voila! The desert heart of Australia in your hand!
And here’s a clue marker that I’m putting here simply because I like the way it came out.
