Manda's (Amachan) Republican Roman Warband

Something I should have thought of before I started painting. I’m only halfway through the first 4 Triarii as I actually thought, what was I going to do with the basing. At first I was going to do what I was doing with my Skitarii for my Mechanicus using pigments and such. While this looks great, it is a bit too dry for the Mediterranean.

So after considering it for some time, this is what I am going to do with my basing.

1. Attach the model to the base and blend in the moulded on base that the models come with. Without them I fear I am going to struggle with adhesion to the base. Pinning isn’t really an option as I use 1.5mm thick bases.
2. I then add details on it that need to be painted, like resin tree stumps, weapons, skulls or whatever I feel is appropriate.
3. I cover the base in PVA glue and cover it with a fine sand.
4. Give the model and its base a coat of primer.
5. I will paint the model as normal, but at the same time I paint the base and the rim with Vallejo Model Color Iraqui Sand (70.819).
6. When this is sufficiently dry I will drybrush the base with Vallejo Model Color Pale Sand (70.837).
7. After that I will add a coat of Citadel Shade Agrax Earthshade (99189953018) over the base.
8. When the wash has dried I will add another drybrush of Vallejo Model Color Pale Sand (70.837).
9. After that I will add a coat of Vallejo Model Wash Desert Dust (76.522).
10. I will put a second coat of Vallejo Model Color Iraqui Sand (70.819) over the rim of the base.
11. When this is dry I will add some PVA glue in various areas where I want to place a tuft, a rock or a log to the base. I will then cover a couple of more areas of the base and sprinkle some fine flock over it.
12. Shake it off and when the glue is dry it is ready for the varnishes.

I think this will add a good Mediterranean feel to the base.

On a side note, I did add rocks to the bases before hand and had to remove them. Otherwise the Triarii will have rock painted to look like rocks and the rest has actual rocks. This left some gaps in the bases that would have been really obvious and difficult to cover. So now I am hoping that once greenstuff is dry the paint will stick reasonably well to it without primer, the models will be varnished in the end so wear over time won’t be an issue. And then I will cover up these areas with tufts and such  to hide them.

There is a lesson to be learned, be sure of what you’re intending to do before you actually do something. ?‍♀️