How to Make Static Grass Bases for Miniatures & Wargames Models – 2019

Last Updated on September 23, 2019 by FauxHammer

Hey guys Brushstroke back again with another of my Tutorials. This Time we’re looking at the proper way to make static grass bases so you get some deep and lush vegetation.

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How to Properly Make Static Grass Bases – Paints & Tools

Tools

• SuperGlue
• PVA Glue
• All-Purpose Filler
• Static Grass Applicator

Paints

• Dawnstone
• Administratum Grey
• Rhinox Hide
• Mournfang Brown
• Ushabti Bone
• NuIn Oil
• Agrax Earthshade
• Athonian Camoshade

How to Properly Make Static Grass Bases – Tutorial

Step 1: Superglue pieces of slate directly to the base

Step 2: Spread filler on to the base, to form a rough texture, and press smaller slate pieces into it.

Step 3: Once the filler is fully set, spread some PVA (white) glue over the areas you want smaller stones and sprinkle sand on to it.

Step 4: Prime the base black.

Step 5: Basecoat the rocks Dawnstone Grey. Basecoat the rest of the base in Rhinox Hide.

Step 6: Dry brush the Rhinox Hide area with Mournfang Brown.

Step 7: Drybrush the Rhinox Hide area again, this time with Ushabti Bone.

Step 8: Shade the Dawnstone rocks with NuIn Oil.

Step 9: Drybrush the Dawnstone rocks with Dawnstone Grey.

Step 10: Drybrush Dawnstone rocks with Administratum Grey.

Step 12: Shade recesses of Dawnstone rocks with Agrax Earthshade.

Step 13: Lightly drybrush Dawnstone rocks with Dawnstone Grey. Finish by adding small touches of Athonian Camoshade to recesses of the rocks to simulate moss and vegetation build-up. Keep it subtle, but this step really helps to make the rocks appear more realistic.

Step 13: OK, now the fun bit… adding grass and tufts. By painting the whole of the base, it now gives total freedom to how much grass you want to add at this stage. For a wasteland look, you could just add a couple of long brown tufts, for a more lush feel you’ll need to add static grass. As the name suggests, static grass is actually intended to be applied using a static electric charge and it is the static charge which gives by far the best results. For this you are going to need to use a static applicator, there are different types you can buy (you can even make your own). I’ll provide more details at the end of this tutorial. Spread PVA (white) glue over the areas you want short grass to be and apply 3mm static grass using your applicator.

Step 14: Once dry, add longer tufts (5mm), flowers and shrubs. These can be bought or homemade In this case, the heather tuft is made from 5mm static grass and coloured sawdust.

Step 15: With the base now complete, all that remains to do is add your mini, or in this case a broken shield to act as an objective marker.

Static Grass Applicators

This is the secret to achieving perfect grass for your minis.

As mentioned previously, there are actually lots of different types of applicator.

I’ve found the best results were achieved by using a static plate box (like the one shown in the pic).

This exact product is frequently in and out of stock. But you’re basically looking for abox with a metal plate on top.

The other common version is a hopper (the ones in the shape of a flashlight) which are normally used for large dioramas or flocking Car Dashboards.

You can buy them on eBay and Amazon

They work by creating an electrostatic charge to attract the nylon flock fibres onto a glued surface, the flock fibres jump towards that object and sit in the glue sanding on end to produce a uniform carpet layer.

Here’s an example of them in Use from FauxHammer.

Static Grass Base Complete

Thank You, I hope you find this guide useful.

If you do have any questions or suggestions on how to improve it for others, then please do let me know.

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Summary

Article Name

How to Make Static Grass Bases for Miniatures

Description

The proper way to make static grass bases so you get some deep and lush vegetation.

Author

Brushstroke

Publisher Name

FauxHammer

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