Mud

[ResidualShade]

anyone have any suggestions on how to make my base look like wet mud?

[PG_Parintachin]

good, earthy brown paint and a gloss varnish?

As for the ground work, I think Gunk might work. Gunk is a mixture of dry filler, white glue, paint and a bit of water.

[Nuriochi_sol]

Liquitex makes this stuff called "Blended Fibers Texture Gel". 8oz jar for about $10. It's white, but takes color well - you can mix paint right into it. It takes a little practice to learn how to work with. It takes a while to dry but you can shape it and mold it in neat heavily trod muddy fields, in 30mm, 40mm, and 50mm sizes. ^_^

[gcflash]

Try some actual dirt (dry and fine preferably) and mix with some water effect. Never tried it myself but I dont see why it would not work.

[squidstudios]

Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty. It's a cheap "wood filler, etc" type product that you can get at most hardware stores, esp the big ones like Lowes. You get a lot for a few bucks. Mix the powder with as much water as you like, it forms a pasty putty that sets within 15 minutes or so. It'd be great for making muddy bases, as it will have a very muddy consistency for a short period of time--long enough to put some footprints or whatever into it. I use it to make cracked desert earth type bases by dragging my xacto through it once it starts to set.

If you use this stuff, I recommend coating it with a layer of thinned PVA/wood glue to seal it once it has fully dried. It'll help the paint adhere better and strengthen the putty.

[M'Lady]

Wood Filler with water mixed in it works as well.

[komodokeeper]

I've heard wet paper towels all wadded up and then glued could work. Or just use water effect with lots of brown paint and some sand mixed in. Let it dry a bit, then you can tease it with a toothpick.