Basing

Basing is the process of finishing the round, square or oval base a miniature stands on so it looks like a small piece of ground rather than bare plastic or resin. Typical materials include fine sand or grit for texture, static grass for patches of turf, and pre-made tufts for clumps of foliage, all glued down and then painted or drybrushed to match.

A well-finished base matters more than many beginners expect, since it grounds the miniature visually and can tie a whole army together when every base uses the same texture and color scheme. Judges at painting competitions and many hobbyists consider basing as important as the paint job on the model itself.

Building a base usually starts with texture and structural elements first, then a basecoat and wash across the whole base, then static grass and tufts added last so they are not crushed or covered in paint. A common mistake is over-decorating a base until it competes with the miniature for attention, or gluing grass and tufts down before the paint underneath is fully dry, which traps moisture and weakens the bond.