I have been working long and hard on my current project and it is drawing close to completion. There is one final conundrum; what am I going to do for the bases. For the new platoon of infantry I want to achieve a good balance of interest and complexity without each base being a diorama. In order to attain this balance I have to work on a structure and design for a “normal” base.
In previous pieces I have set each base in an individual setting, with its own mix of character and detail. I am exploring the idea of creating a general theme to link the whole platoon together. To experiment with techniques, effects, composition and layout I have created the following test pieces:-
I have learned a lot from designing and creating these bases. There are parts about each that I really like, which I will utilise.
I am very excited about finishing up my current project and I want to make sure that the bases present the soldiers in the best way possible.
Thank you for observing and I appreciate any feedback you give.
The Minutiae of War 
Really nice work. What are you using for the base material? Is it just painted spackle, or something fancier?
Hi Stephen,
nothing fancy. It’s an air curing clay appropriately called “Das”. Once this has cured I then cover most of the base in Vallero Sandy Paste for the base texture. I then glue on some fine ballast and tallus/cork/stones in spots. The “Das” can be a pain to work with, don’t get it wet while working it onto the base otherwise when it dries it will shrink and warp off the base. I probably should use spackle as it does have better properties, it’s just that Das is the material that I first started working with.