Lard Magazine 2023 - Part Two

King Richard I

Lard Magazine 2023 - PartTwo

Keeping it Simple

My next dose of inspiration was reading about Richard I, marching his army through the desert at Arsuf in 1191. For this crusading army I obviously wanted to create the feel of marching through the Desert.

But I was acutely aware that as with most deserts they can be plain sand. I could have just literally used sand and gone for the natural tone of light changes to make do, and there would be nothing wrong with that simple approach. But I wanted to give Richard and his army some real subtle elegance to his frame.

In this instance I opted for trying to create small undulations in the land with the odd rock and tuft of grass to break up the flatness, while concentrating on letting inks do the majority of the painting for me.

Coeur de lion

For this style of base, I used household polly-filler to create small uneven surface over roughly 50% of the base. Then I superglued some small stones in place to break up the remaining flat areas and sprayed the whole base a sand brown. Then I then used a well-known brown wash to create a series of light and dark areas. Dry brushing, once dry, the entire surface using sand and then a warm off-white tones. Finally adding a few tufts…plain and simple yet effective…. I hope 😊

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luna Wolves

Looking back at older armies, I also have used other materials to create a simple yet effect style that is different from the norm. Here for a Space Marine army, my Luna Wolves, I wanted a quick and simple style allowed me to create a bespoke army ‘frame’ but was yet in keeping with the futuristic feel of the army.

What better than on board a spaceship somewhere deep in the big black? In this instance that Dull silver metal feel was ideal because most of the army is a white or off white and too much colour on the base would take the eye constantly away.

Sometimes its just the little things!

Boilerplate Platic-card

I simply used the boiler style plastic-card which I drew circles on using the bases as rough templates. (Don’t worry you can clean them up later). I used scissors to cut them out and superglue to the top of the bases. Where required a craft knife can clean up the edges. The bases were simply then prayed black, and painted silvers and inked with a black and brown inks. I added Hazard stripes to some simply to break up the large block, but this isn’t necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dwarf Mine Bases

Finally, before I leave you all I wanted to add a few more photos of some other armies and their bases that I have made. With the main theme here, being that hopefully you can see that whatever style you pick or choose for your army it really is worth giving the base that extra little thought. As its those little things that make all the difference to finial product.



Wishing you all a wonderful festive period.