Groundwork, & Airbrush techniques

Groundwork is one of the major pieces of any figure. A finished figure, done to the highest possible standards, looks like a figure as is, when displayed on a polished wooden base. (or any other base, come to think of it)

Add groundwork for the figure, and suddenly, we have a snapshot of life!! If we see a sentry all rugged up, then we see him placed amongst ice and snow, well then, we appreciate the miniature story behind the figure. Likewise, a figure looking at an empty bottle doesn't say much. again, place the figure in a desert type scene, we have a whole new dimension to the figure.

To that end, some months ago (before moving) I ordered 2 DVDs, one one groundwork, one on airbrushing.

In this entry, I'll share the groundwork review. (I did a similar review on Planet Figure months ago, so this may be familiar to some readers)


Terrain Modelling, with Richard Windrow, goes through some of the basic steps required to make realistic groundwork. From basic groundwork, making rock features, colours of ground, weather effects (dusty ground or muddy) plus vegetation, from moss to shrubs and trees. He also covers urban terrain, including weathering, building, destruction of buildings, rubble (too many dioramas don't have enough), snow and ice, and most importantly, research.

Also covered is materials used, as scaling terrain to figures is key. What looks like gravel to a figure of 1/16th size (about 200mm tall) is very rocky ground to a figure in 1/35th scale (about 54mm tall). Herbs from the supermarket, walks in the countryside and suburbia, and keep your eyes open, and you will find an abundance of stuff that can be used.

Lets have a step by step, to show you what I mean. Next post.

The airbrush review I'll leave for a future post.