Blackfoot Sue

[martin goddard]

When  carrying out basing on figures I bring the  base effect up to the figure's feet. The problem that a rises for me is that the basing effect  can overlap the feet which is realistic but I would rather it did not.
The question is this.
Do you paint the bases of your figures knowing that it will show through the basing effect.
I am now going to black the entire figure base and let some of it show.

Obviously this applies to 15mm figures. Maybe others have considered this question for 5mm and 25mm figures?


martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

I paint the figure base assuming that it will be visible. I then level up to that base with sand and/or filler and do my best to hide said figure base 

Simon

[Panzer21]

When  carrying out basing on figures I bring the  base effect up to the figure's feet. The problem that a rises for me is that the basing effect  can overlap the feet which is realistic but I would rather it did not.
The question is this.
Do you paint the bases of your figures knowing that it will show through the basing effect.
I am now going to black the entire figure base and let some of it show.

Obviously this applies to 15mm figures. Maybe others have considered this question for 5mm and 25mm figures?


martin

I always paint the figure base even when it may be partly covered. There are a couple of reasons; firstly it finishes off the paint job and covers up any paint that may have strayed onto the base, secondly as I varnish the figures before basing, it makes sense to varnish all the current paint work to seal the whole figure.
I tend to base up to the figure base, not over it aside from the odd bit at the edge, with a mix of sand, polyfller, PVA and paint. I try to match the colour on the figure base to whatever the predominant base colour will be, normally brown or sand. The paint in the mix helps stop white chips showing.
Neil

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

I don't usually bother painting bases with the ground colour. I fill up to the base, then apply a ground colour liberally over everything and touch up the feet/boots when I highlight if they are smothered, or apply a tiny bit of ink wash as shading but otherwise leave well alone.

Neil

[John Watson]

Always paint the bases.
John

[Moggy]

I always paint the feet of the figure as though it will be seen. I also give the base itself including the small area around the feet/shoes in a mid brown. I feel this helps should there be any part not covered in whatever I am going to coat the base with. It adds a little depth and random variations in my mind.

Derek

(Not sure where you got that title for the thread from though Martin.....   Brought back a memory of a certain "lady" of easy morals that would come into camp each Friday and not leave till Sunday night. Here nickname was Blackfoot Sue as well. I never did find out personally but many suggested it was her lack of personal hygene and the number she entertained- Did you frequent Barker Barracks in Paderborn by any chance?)

[martin goddard]

Blackfoot sue were a chart band in the early 1970s.
Only had 2 hits.


martin

[Leman (Andy)]

I remember those chaps. I always paint my bases as near the base material colour as possible. Currently basing using Vallejo brown basing material. Nearest equivalent for the figures is Vallejo light brown. However I also try to get a bit of drybrushing on the figure base and some of the scatter material to get stuff to blend in. I am trying a new system of spreading the base material first and then glueing the completed figure to the base before washing, drybrushing and adding scatter. This seems to get less of the basing paste covering the shoes/boots/hooves of the figures.

[macsen wledig]

brown contrast paint wash is good enough especially in 10mm

[Martin Smith]

Always paint the bases, in case any show through/remain uncovered during basing..

[Colonel Kilgore]

Always paint the bases, in case any show through/remain uncovered during basing..

Or in case the flock falls off over time. Which incidentally is another good reason to use matt varnish as the flock glue.

Simon

[macsen wledig]

good shout....

something I will be doing on my next few armies when finished.

I guess the normal process for me is

undercoat figures in black (including the bits around the feet)
paint figures
attach to bases
paint bases with dark brown wash liberally
PVA
sand mix
more dark brown wash as required
PVA
grass flock

[Colonel Kilgore]

I like to spray the sand-on-PVA with water before painting / washing further. It helps it stick and sand then doesn't lift off onto my paintbrush.

Matt varnish is the way to go for flock though!

Simon

[macsen wledig]

good thinking