Urban bases

[fsn]

Gentlemen,

I am expecting the departure of my nemesis, the Cat, and so hope be able to resume painting in the near future. I'm up for the zombies (based on some of the paint jobs I've seen on this forum) but would like an urban setting.

What then, gentlemen, ladies and capering barm-pots of the forum, would you recommend for urban bases?

[Fenton]

What size of bases are we talking about?

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Silver sand painted black, highlighted dark grey and white and yellow lines for road surfaces.
Grass scatter for parks and gardens, add flowers for choice.
Ruins, raid your scrap box, bricks, hand cut from matches in rubble.

Cobbles and slabs I have carved from milliputt, hard stuff!
Will try and post later.
Or google my friend Dale at panzerworks studio, he's a pro painter who has just done 15mm ss in arnheim.

[Matt J]

I would recommend polyfilla on the bases basically to level the base with the base of the model and would provide a relatively smooth surface - I'm assuming you want a tarmac effect

[Ithoriel]

One option is commercial bases like the Flames of War ones

http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=2654

DIY is clearly cheaper and more individual though.

[fsn]

What size of bases are we talking about?

I'm open to suggestions. Probably 30x30. Up to 12 months ago my standard basing was a corn flakes packet and Airfix paint M17.

One option is commercial bases like the Flames of War ones

Never!

Grass scatter for parks and gardens, add flowers for choice.
Cobbles and slabs I have carved from milliputt, hard stuff!

That sounds like a lot of work!

Blimey! I'm having to think now. OK. 1970s urban environment. Not too much destruction so no rubble. May we assume tarmac roads?

In other news, having recovered from my broken elbow, I've fallen up the stairs and broken my little finger. Drinking lots of milk. 

[Matt J]

standard basing was a corn flakes packet

that's a big base 

[fsn]

After a few early efforts, I graduated to cutting the box up before adding figures. 

[Fenton]

Might be worth talking to Leon when he returns

[fsn]

Which one?

[Techno]

The one that uses the laser cutter, I'd have thought....But I think that particular clone's one of the more difficult ones to contact.
Cheers - Phil

[Fenton]

I think your right Phil, I dont think hes allowed to use it unless there is an adult present to supervise

[Hertsblue]

A couple of suggestions culled from the GW book How to Make Wargames Terrain,

Anaglypta wallpaper glued to MDF for cobbled roads. Surprisingly effective.

Coarse sandpaper (NOT glasspaper) also glued to MDF, sprayed matt black and then drybrushed with mid-grey. Makes excellent tarmac.

[WeeWars]

As it comes in tarmac colours, could you use wet-and-dry sandpaper and just rough it up rather than paint it?

[Hertsblue]

As it comes in tarmac colours, could you use wet-and-dry sandpaper and just rough it up rather than paint it?

Quite possibly, Michael, although I know that the other method works, having tried it.