Can we talk about bases?

[kathrynloch]

I'm going to stick this here because to a certain extent I'm unfamiliar with a lot of basing ideas revolving around wood and plinths, etc.

Now, I can take a standard miniature gaming base and deck it out very nicely but I've only done one vignette were I did more with the base but even then it wasn't all fired up fantastic.

But now I've got my Roaming Knight and my Chaos Knight, both are approaching the turn toward the homestretch. I find myself wanting to put them on nice bases. So, I searched around here and looked at the various vendors. And was promptly overwhelmed with choices, prices, colors, wood, sizes, shapes....ahhhhh!!!!

lol!

I found myself with more questions than an answers.

For example, when people do the basing effects, do they glue that directly onto the wooden plinth (or whatever shape they have)? Or do they have a makeshift base that fits seamlessly with the wood and they glue the effects onto that? My Chaos Knight does not have a plastic base, he stands alone, but I would like him in snow. So I could make a small base for him then attach it to a wooden one. Maybe?

Is there a general rule of thumb about how big a base should be when compared to the figure - as long as it is tall or one inch clearance around the model...? I realize that would depend on the actual scene but on these two I'm not adding anything extra except basing effects, snow for the Chaos Knight and I have no idea for the Roaming Knight.

Roaming Knight has his own metal base which I've painted.

I'm going to add some dead-fall and greenery but otherwise not much to it. I'm not sure what sort of base would be good for him.

The Chaos Knight, I have a much better visualization of although difficult to describe. There is a painting by Frazetta that i've got stuck in my head that is influencing me. lol!

Many vendors are in the UK or Europe. I know of one in the US, are there others so I don't have to worry about getting mugged by the exchange rate at the time?

Since these are not anything that's going up for a Golden Demon or large scale award would I be best served by finding a base locally, say at an art supply store and finishing it myself and save the fancy stuff for things I want to enter in competitions? (I might consider selling either of these pieces tho - i'm not sure yet.)

So those are some of the many questions running through my brain. Any thoughts, opinions, ideas, suggestions....anything! lol! Is very much welcome!

Thanks!

Cheers,
Karrie

 

[loosehead]

Hi Karrie.
First Bases..... find a local woodturner or woodturning club these guys can turn you up a round base in about 10mins ( might cost you a few beers) if left raw you can stain paint varnish to your liking, also you then have control over how you want your base to look because you can show the figure to the turner and then make an inform decision.
Second Ground work..... think on the terrain you want, nail in some flat head nails at verious hights this will give the putty
or modelling clay something to adhere to also score the top of the base in a criscross pattern this also helps then sculpt your ground work roughly in.Once dry start to add rocks branchs etc till ground work looks as you like it if it is already on a plastic base attach it to the base with epoxy glue then build ground work over the top.
Most of my bases range between 6 to 10 cm high and 5 to 10 cm diameter
according to size of figures if 54mm or smaller say 6cm high by 5 cm diameter ( these are approx sizes ) this way people have enough plinth to hold on to and look at safely.

An old modeller once told me " You would not place the Mona Lisa in a plastic frame, so treat each figure like it is a masterpiece..............

Hope this helps a little..
Chris

 

[kathrynloch]

Thank you Chris! This is fantastic information and along the lines of what I was looking for. hmmm...now, I wonder if the local university would have a woodturning club around...

Thank you again!

Cheers,
Karrie

 

[John Bowery]

Karrie,
I have a preference and like to use "Thomas" bases. There is an ad on this website. These are wonderful and finished superbly. Other bases are around and they are also nice. I prefer the prefinished base as it saves me the time to finish the raw base. I try to pick colours that will complement the figure and not clash. I try to have as small a base as I can so that the base does not overpower the figure or diorama and still get the job done.

http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11376
This is one of two articles on this forum about base basics. The second is in the same catagory.

I rarelly use the nail heads but do score the base and before the first layer of groundwork goes down, I put a thin layer of white glue on the base. Guy usually screw the base with the horse attached to the wooden base and therefore it will never fall off the base. (we are usually talking about a metal horse and rider.) These can be very heavy.

Cheers
John

 

[kathrynloch]

Thank you John! And thank you very much for the link. I had looked at Thomas bases at least a little. I need to check prices and stuff.

Thank you again for all the great information!

 

[renarts]

Bases serve several functions. They are a "frame" for your artwork. A nice way to make a presentation for something you've spent alot of time and creativity on. They should enhance or compliment your work rather than compete with or overpower. It is their function to give your work a setting, to provide scale or atmosphere.
They are also functional as a stable support or platform for your work. So that they don't fall over from their sometimes awkward sculpting, (a horse making two or three legged contact, a figure in an extreme pose or on one foot) or if someone should bump the surface they are placed on.
They can serve as a protection from other people's work being slid into yours on a display or exhibit table. Providing a safe space around your figure. Sit in an exhibit room for a bit during set up at a show. Watch the faces, looks, gritting of teeth, widening of eyes, as exhibitors move stuff around on the tables. Worth the "people watching" moment.
They can provide a means of handling your figures without having to touch the figure. This allows closer inspection by judges so they can pick up a piece and get a closer look or turn it around to get a different view your work.
With that in mind. pick your bases appropriately for what you may want. Some guys incorporate burls or natural imperfections into their "presentation" bases and make it part of the scenery or terrain. Some build bases to incorporate structures or terrain to better display the piece. It should not be top heavy so that if bumped, the whole piece, base included doesn't fall over and should be such that it can provide an attractive, stable platform from which to display your work.
Don't let cost affect your base. You spent $50-$200 on a figure or vignette. Why skimp on a base for something that cost you alot to begin with, you spent weeks or months working on only to put it on a cheaply made or unworthy base?

 

[kathrynloch]

Hi Mike,
Thanks so much for your input on this. You bring up some really good points. And I can so relate to the "people watching" moment! You should see it in a crowded hall with rows and rows of model horses on the tables. Domino effect anyone?

I'm glad you mentioned the natural imperfections as these are the types of bases I've been drawn to thus far and I see them as becoming part of the work as you mentioned.

Thank you again. I really appreciate it! You've given me lots to consider in making an informed decision!

Cheers,
Karrie