Desert bases tutorial

After finishing the previous set of mummies I was asked about my way of painting desert / wasteland bases. It's no secret - I give most of models similar bases, just changing colors and add-ons (rocks, tufts etc). Since it's rather quick and easy way of finishing the model I took some photos which hopefully might be useful for somebody.

Besides I think it's kinda like building myself a pyramid. Pharaohs used to do that not to be forgotten after they leave this miserable place. Maybe this way memory of me would remain somewhere in the webspace while the body is already dead. Or maybe not 🙄

I started with attaching model to the base properly. Original metal bar was cut off and both legs got paperclip pins. That way I could place mummies on cork sheet making them taller. As explained earlier the idea was to make them look more massive and powerful compared to ordinary undead infantry.

And here they are - ready for painting. I don't care much about undercoat color - what you see below are some paint leftoves from painting Khador's Juggernaut. Important is it's dark.

Before applying sand I got airbrush paintjob done. The idea was not to mess paintwoth with white glue and sand.

Applying sand couldn't be simplier. Using damp brush paint the base with pva / white glue and then sprinkle it with sand. Be careful not to hit the model with glue. After glue dries shake off sand excess and repeat procedure if you think there's not enough of it.

After glue was totally dry (I mean it - it must be 100% dry!) I added some leaves, small pebbles and tufts. Don't really care is there any vegetation in Khemri desert - it just looks nice. Apparently mummies have already shuffled into Border Princes! 😨
Then sand was washed with diluted mixture of Devlan Mud and little bit olive (I used Cayman Green but it's up to you).

Wash dried so sand was drybrushed with Bleached Bone and pure white.

Applying dry pigments had to wait until models were finished. The reason was the dust comes up from the ground so it's logical it stays on top of anything crossing the desert. Besides that way models fit the bases even better and color tone is more coherent. 

My opinion that is.

To fix the pigment bases were airbrushed with some matt varnish, but I know flow improver would also do the job. Some of pigment was blown away but most stayed where it's supposed to be: on bases and lower legs.

And here they are - all done and properly sealed with Revell matt varnish.

Hope you like it and find it useful anyhow.