How To: Mosaic Tile Bases

[PG_Jolly Angus]

I've had a few people ask me how I make my tile bases so I thought I'd put together a little tutorial.

1. First off here's what you will need need:
- A base (duh)
- An epoxy putty (like green stuff) or epoxy clay (I use Milliput because it's cheap and has worked well for this type of project)
- A scrap of window screen (I found a scrap at work, but I'm sure this stuff is dirt cheap)
- Wax paper or a plastic baggy
- Water


2. Mix up some of your putty and stick it on your base, like so


3. Use your fingers to spread the putty over the base (wear gloves if your skin gets irritated by the putty, it also would remove the chance of leaving fingerprints in your base)


4. Wet your fingers with water and rub the base in a circular motion to get the top of the base smooth and even (you could try baby oil, olive oil or any other kind of lubricant if you're using greenstuff)

[PG_Jolly Angus]

5. Put some wax paper down over a table or some other hard flat surface, then place the window screen on top of the wax paper and wet it down. You want to use enough water (or oil) to make sure that the putty won't stick to the screen when you're pulling it up. You probably can't see how much I'm using in these pictures, but be very generous with the water.


6. Now the moment of truth. Flip your base upside down and set it on the wet window screen. Then take your fingers and press down on the base. Give it plenty of pressure. Make sure you push down on every part of the base. I usually run my fingers around the rim of the base and then give the center of the base a few good pushes. Also, be careful not to wiggle the base around or lift up pressure as this could result in wonky shaped 'squares' or double stamping.




7. Now gently peel the base up while holding down the screen. And viola! If you are unhappy with the way the pattern came out you can always smooth it out with your fingers again and go for another try. If you see depressions in the putty that weren't stamped with the pattern you can either try to fill them in with more putty and smooth the base out and stamp again, or just leave it. Unless I'm going for a perfect base for a special model I usually leave the depressions as is. When you paint up the base those areas look like they have been worn and smoothed out from foot traffic. I think it adds some nice visual variety.

[PG_Jolly Angus]

8. If you are using Milliput you might want to take a paper towel or napkin and clean up the rim of the base. When I do this it makes me feel like I'm plating an entree at a fine restaurant, so that's exciting for me...


9. Once that's done you have your base! Leave it to dry overnight before you begin to paint, I usually wait 24 hours on mine.


If you want to see how I paint my bases the tutorial continues on my blog (link). Hate to send you off the forums, but it's a pretty lengthy tutorial. If you just want the quick and dirty version here it is. Paint the base Menoth White Base, paint on your pattern, use Gryphonne Sepia Wash. Done.

Here's the final product:

[TheBigRedMachine]

Very nice tutorial.

[inkybrushes]

Thanks, I really like the mosaic tiles in your Menoth figures. And now I can make my own!

[Nuriochi_sol]

Thanks bro! Excellent, simple tutorial...

[Eross]

very cool and very simple

[amazonwarlord]

Love this !

[Gareson]

I actually used his technique to do these bases...




...simple and fun to paint up!

[scotty kahn]

Great tutorial. Now, if only I could find milliput locally.

[tedwin183]

What a tasty little technique. Thanks so much for sharing!

[amazonwarlord]

nice job Gareson

[Ironbullet]

I was looking for a good base for my Menoth...This is perfect! I'll be giving it a try.

[PG_ratch]

this is Sexy, And i found milliput at Hobby Lobby for anyone that wants to look for it. most likely in the Scenic section. they have a rack for Casting. its on that rack.

[Lanz]

That's so freakin' cool and simple that I'm stealing it for my Menites when I restart them.

[Wumby79]

Fantastic and really creative. Thanks for sharing.

[@ndreas]

... nice idea, and very attractive, both for beauty and simplicity

[PG_ratch]

I just wish i could use it for my Khador... T.T
A variation i just thought of, Cobblestone road? maybe to one side you don't have the tiling and put it as a spot for dirt, grass/snow and what nots.

[iG4MER]

FANTASTIC! Love this idea, thanks for sharing.. Will give this a go fer sure!

[roastduck]

Next big bases I do, I'm totally doing this with a Cygnar swan in the center of it.

[GrandMcMuf]

thank you so much. I've been looking for a cool idea for my menoth bases.