Manda’s (Amachan) Wintery Basing Experiments

For the next experiment I wanted to work out how I’m going to work with tufts and rocks, I also wanted to find a way to integrate miniatures in it in a way that makes sense. Just a whole path under their feet like I did in the 1st experiment won’t look right.

For this experiment I use the same materials and techniques I’ve done before.

Left:
I did the layer of muddy ground and stuck the tufts in there, let that dry and then started to apply the frosty snowy sludgy mix around it and then sprinkled some snow over it. Not a fan of this one.

Right:
For this one I put the tufts in after I applied the frosty snowy sludgy mix and then sprinkled snow over the base. This is going to be my preferred way of doing my bases.

Left:
For the rocks I did the same as with the tufts and applied the mud, stuck the rocks in that and when that was dry I applied the frosty snowy sludgy mix in between the rocks and over the top of some. I sprinkled some snow over the base at the end. I prefer this result.

Right:
As before, here I applied the frosty snowy sludgy mix and then stuck the rocks in that and put a little bit of the frosty snowy sludgy mix over the rocks afterwards, followed by some sprinkling of snow.

Now for the final test in this experiment I wanted to try footprints. So I applied the frosty snowy sludgy mix in different thicknesses. More of the snow effects on the side and more water effects in the middle. I’ve not gone with as much water effects as before. After I did this I used a brush with some pure water effects to make little footsteps and sprinkled some snow on the sides.

So far I have decided that the bases are going to be a 2-step process.

Step 1:
Apply the mud and rocks and let that dry.

Step 2:
Apply the frosty snowy sludgy mix, add footprints, stick in the tufts and then sprinkle it with some snow.

And in the future I need to use less snow effects, it’s a bit too thick at the moment, but that’s what experiments are for.

To start off with I put down a covering coat of AK Interactive Diorama Terrains Muddy Ground (AK8017) and let that dry for a day or 2. To add snow and frost to it I mixed Vallejo Water Texture Still Water (26.230) & Vallejo Weathering Effects Snow (73.820) in various ratios. I used a approximately 50/50 ratio to cover the whole left base and various ratios from more snow effect to still water on two sides to more still water in between on the base to the right. On the left base I did a light sprinkling of GaleForce Nine Hobby Round: Snow (GFS027) before it dried and on the right base I only did it on the sides where the snow is heavier.

The effect I am going for is a watery, sludgy, frozen, snowy, muddy wintery base. Comments are welcome to help me improve this technique and any advances I will share with you all. More experiments coming soon.