My collection of trees has changed over the years and the result was that they were on a variety of different base shapes, sizes and styles. This is okay, but for some games (e.g. BA, Kings, SP2) it's just easier all round if your woods have well defined edges. So I picked up some of the excellent Charlie Foxtrot Models tree bases. Shown below is a pic of the kit for tree base number 1.
The discs are 70mm diameter so just the right size for most ranges of tree, especially K&M which most of mine are! There are also kits available with smaller discs (50mm) which are great for smaller trees, particularly palm trees, here's a pic of small tree base number 4 with some 8" plastic palms.
Okay, on to my own collection. This is all pretty straightforward stuff but hopefully I can offer a couple of useful tips along the way.
Tip #1 - texture the 'tray' before gluing it to the tray base - hopefully the pic below shows what I mean. I've used a range of small rocks, coarse grit, fine grit and sand. Texturing beforehand means that it's easier to ensure the apertures stay completely clear of any sand/grit.
Next, paint the textured 'upper base' and the tree bases.
For the earth I've used Americana Dark Chocolate as a base then highlights of Milk Chocolate and Honey Brown. A final highlight of any light cream or sandy colour here and there helps give a good finish. The rocks were painted black then highlighted using a range of greys from DIY store tester pots. A final (very light) highlight of white makes them pop!
Time to glue the textured/painted uppers to the bases. Tip #2 - to avoid any potential warping I've glued them using good quality wood glue (Evo-stik interior wood adhesive) then I've held everything in place with some books and placed a kebab stick under the centre - see pic below. Leave overnight to dry thoroughly. The end result was a completely flat base!
Now it's on to the grass and flock. The pic below shows the result after applying a light flock (from Warlord I think) in small, sparse patches followed by more extensive coverage of Colonel Bill's Autumn grass.
Put a large piece of paper down to catch all the flock ... and don't sneeze! :o)
Here's the final layer of grass, Colonel Bill's Winter grass
Finally, apply clump foliage, tufts, flowers, etc.
Hope that was interesting/useful.
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| Charlie Foxtrot Tree Base 1 |
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| Charlie Foxtrot small tree base 4 |
Okay, on to my own collection. This is all pretty straightforward stuff but hopefully I can offer a couple of useful tips along the way.
Tip #1 - texture the 'tray' before gluing it to the tray base - hopefully the pic below shows what I mean. I've used a range of small rocks, coarse grit, fine grit and sand. Texturing beforehand means that it's easier to ensure the apertures stay completely clear of any sand/grit.
Next, paint the textured 'upper base' and the tree bases.
For the earth I've used Americana Dark Chocolate as a base then highlights of Milk Chocolate and Honey Brown. A final highlight of any light cream or sandy colour here and there helps give a good finish. The rocks were painted black then highlighted using a range of greys from DIY store tester pots. A final (very light) highlight of white makes them pop!
 |
| The earth colours |
Time to glue the textured/painted uppers to the bases. Tip #2 - to avoid any potential warping I've glued them using good quality wood glue (Evo-stik interior wood adhesive) then I've held everything in place with some books and placed a kebab stick under the centre - see pic below. Leave overnight to dry thoroughly. The end result was a completely flat base!
Now it's on to the grass and flock. The pic below shows the result after applying a light flock (from Warlord I think) in small, sparse patches followed by more extensive coverage of Colonel Bill's Autumn grass.
Put a large piece of paper down to catch all the flock ... and don't sneeze! :o)
Here's the final layer of grass, Colonel Bill's Winter grass
Finally, apply clump foliage, tufts, flowers, etc.
Hope that was interesting/useful.
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