Basing my Bases

Hi Guys, visitors and followers ask me how I do my basing? Here is my first attempt of a "step by step" basing process. One thing though before I go on, I don't like the idea of using 4-5 layers of prime shading colors and 2-3 dry brushing colors schemes on bases in my opinion its just a waste of time and unnecessary, unless working on Dioramas yeah sure go right ahead and use multicolored shades/tones etc. but not on little bases like DBA! :o) anyway I hope my amateurish article helps.... I prefer to use just 2 colors, one for priming and one for dry brushing the plywood bases.

Buff Fine Ballast.

Acrylic Paints.

Epirot Units/Elements before flocking.

I brush white glue on the bases first, place the stand in a small container/box of Fine Buff Ballast, and perform swirling actions to cover the whole base while the glue is still wet. Putting the stands aside for 24 hours before moving on to the next phase.

I use Acrylic Raw Sienna to paint and cover the whole Buff Ballast bases.

After priming the Fine Ballast bases, I put aside the stands for 2-3 hours or even wait until the next day for the bases to be completely bone dry. mind you, Brown Fine Ballast would be better to use saves time painting the primer/under coat.

 I use Ivory to dry brush over the Raw Sienna

After completing the priming and dry brushing I use Scenic Express Turf Grass

I use tweezers to pick up and position the Turf Grass on the bases. To secure the Turf Grass on the bases I use white glue.

Some of the finished Epirot DBA elements....

I/46ab Kushite Egyptian

(Ethiopians) History of Kush Link 745 BC - 593 BC

DBA 2.2

Army Composition: 1 x (Gen) LCh, 1 x LCh, 2 x 3Cv, 2 x 3Ax, 4 x 2Ps or 4 x 3Bw, 2 x 2Ps

Historical Enemies: Libyan Egyptians, Bedouin, Philistine, Later Hebrew, Neo - Assyrian, Sargonid Assyrian and Static Egyptians.

Another great Army to paint, I replaced the cavalry men carrying lead spears with steal pins. Also you will notice, which is no secret, basing the chariot models on 40mm x 40mm square stand is a pain in the back side. There is simply no room for the model to fit at its full extension. Essex Chariot models are about 50mm long, Xyston Chariots are even longer! I believe DBA 3.0, soon to be available during the year? chariot models basing has changed from 40mm to 50mm depth to allow large models like Essex, Xyston miniatures etc. to fit nicely and secured on their stands.... we shall see!

Army Arrayed

General with Light Chariot

Line Cavalry

Auxilia - Javelins

Bowmen

Skirmishers - Archers

Skirmishers - Slingers

III/34b Andalusian

710 AD - 1172 AD

DBA 2.2

I suspect this army pack is actually for DBA ver 2.0 (2001) or 1.1 (1995) or even going back to (1990) ver1.0? There are new Essex Andalusian figures available today but didn't get them in this army pack :o(  i.e. Latest 15mm Essex Andalusian Cavalry and Infantry Miniatures.

Army Composition: 1 x (Gen) 3Cv, 1 x 3Cv, 2 x 2Lh, 6 x 2Ps, and 2 x 4Sp elements

Update: DBA 3.0 Army
I found out that one of the 1 x 2Ps can be replaced with 1 x 3Kn, 1 x 4Cb (crossbow) or 1 x 4Sp
which is great, by adding the Knights to this army it will give that extra "punch" element to the Andalusian cavalry force.

1 x General (Cv), 
1 x ghulam or Andalusian cavalry (Cv), 
2 x mujahids (LH), 
1 x Christian guard (3Kn or 4Cb) or African Guard (Sp), 
2 x archers or slinger's (Ps),
3 x Berber javelinmen (Ps)
2 x Andalusian or African spearmen (Sp)

Historical Enemies: To name a few, Later Visigoths, Carolingian, Sicilian, Vikings, Normans, Fanatic Berber and I believe Andalusian fought among themselves.

These 15mm Essex miniatures paint up well and quick, the main battle line are the spearmen and Cavalry (3Cv) including the General to hold the center. There a lot of light troops to help cover/protect the flanks of this army, usage of terrain features on the battle ground board by the Andalusian skirmishers is crucial to slow down and harass approaching enemy elements... anyway on to the figures

Some of the photos came out a bit fuzzy - blur sorry about that!

Army Arrayed

General

Line Cavalry

Light Horse

Spearmen

Javelins and Slingers

African Muslims Javelins and Slingers

Chestnut Andalusian Horse