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Updated: Apr 5th, 2007 - 12:17:34 |
This article will guide you the process I use to create simple display bases for your 12" action figures. This base uses the basic techniques and you can build more complex bases with this as your starting point.
Step 1: Start with a 6" diameter wooden base. Sand until smooth. This is very important if you want a smooth, shiny base. The plain wood can never be too smooth.
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| Base 6" Base |
Step 2: Paint or stain the wood with a color of your choice. Optionally, you can apply a Polycrylic sealant, such as Minwax's. Let dry.
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| Painted and Coated with Polycrylic |
Step 3: Take approximately a fistful of Celluclay put it in a mixing bowl. Add enough water to make the Celluclay the consistency of cookie dough. Too much water and you'll get clay that looks like oatmeal. It won't hold it's shape and will take forever too dry. The best way to mix the clay is to ad a little water at a time, thoroughly mix, and a more water as necessary. Dry clay is very dusty. I like to wear a mask while mixing.
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| Celluclay |
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| Celluclay in mixing tub |
Step 4: Spread the Celluclay over the base. About 1/2 a fistful at a time. Shape the clay into the shape desired. In this example, I've created a small ridge to simulate a slightly sunken road.
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| Celluclay applied to base with embeded rocks |
Step 5: While the clay is still damp, embed "rocks" and "pebbles" into the clay. You can use you fingers to press the rocks into the clay. Add some weeds and plants. You can get the materials you need from model train stores. Woodland Scenic makes a nice selection of rocks (labeled "Talus", pebbles, grasses and even snow. I use dried weeds and plants from a craft store. At this point press the boots of your figure into the clay and make a slight depression. This will help later on when you glue the figure to the base and (for reasons I can't explain) the figure looks much more realistic if the boot is slightly depressed into the ground as opposed to just laying on top.
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| Woodland Scenic grass, rocks and pebbles |
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| Detail showing weeds and grass |
Step 6: Let dry. This will take at least overnight, depending on the amount of water you use.
Step 7: Spray paint the base. I use "Walnut" color for the base coat. You can get a can at your local craft store for about $8 and it will last for about 10 bases.
Step 8: Spot touch up the base with "earth tone" acrylic paints. I use Jo Sonja's paints in Raw Sienna, Brunt Sienna and Brunt Umber. They dry flat and quick and are inexpensive at $2 a tube. Don't worry about the colors in the picture. The flash makes them look harsher than they are.
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| Base coat spray paint and start of acrylics |
Step 9: Spray the base with "Scenic Cement" glue. Again you can get this from a hobby or train store. Sprinkle plastic grass over the area you want.
Step 10: Let dry and attach your figure. I glue the figure to the base using either Crystal Clear glue (you can get it from an airplane or train hobby store) or Elmer's wood glue.
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| Add grass and finish painting |
And now you have a nice display base for you figure. With some imagination you can add a mixture of different rock sizes, roots, different grasses etc. for your own unique designs.
