They look killer! Best place to get basing sand is Lowe's or Home Depot or whatever building supply store exists around you. A bag of construction sand has bits of varying size. Second to that, the cheapest kitty litter from a dollar store will also work.
@@melsminiloft Those are pretty much all I use when I do base stuff. I also make my own texture paste with baking soda, craft paint, wood glue, and some water to adjust consistency. I've said before I'm not big on basing so the cheapest/easiest way out is absolutely my choice!
A swapping collaboration is a great idea and I enjoy Snakeworks channel too. An easy method for basing is a tub with some of the rocks you used plus beach sand . All mixed together in one box of various sizes just means you need to glue up your base then swipe it through your basing box . Instant base done.
Hey, love your videos. I used to struggle with basing, too. Here is what I did, perhaps it helps. Get a bag of bird sand. It is fine with some bigger pebbles in it. Put PVA glue on the base with an old brush - you can dillute it with some water, but it's not necessary. Sprinkle the sand on the glue, let it dry, paint and drybrush. Have fun.
These turned out great. I’m glad you were able to find a quick win during the process when your motivation was flagging. Quick wins like that are always powerful to keep you going during a project, let alone an army.
Washes go on palletes, just like speedpaints. They are essentially a liquid already. They don't suffer as much as a speedpaint or contrast paint, but, its one of those things that is meant to go from bottle to model.
Also I love the idea of a squad swap with someone to paint, especially for rank and file like termagaunts. I'm going to see if anyone is interested at my local store, be nice to break the slump when painting the 60(!) termagaunts I have between a few different box sets :)
Very glad you had fun with this, last of your videos I saw was the slapchop one and after all the bad experiences in that one it is cool to see you really enjoying this one. Those nids look cool.
Great idea for a video! They turned out great. You've improved a ton already, Mel! For sand I usually just buy playground sand. That gives me enough sand for basing to last at least 100 lifetimes.
I am really enjoying the fresh approach to the craft. It’s this very quality that has me watching the videos with such interest. Even if you do what others have done it’s your approach to it that inspires me. And that is what I need to get me through my piles of grey.
Absolutely loved this video. I happen to be going to mr snakeworks house next weekend so I will be taking a cheeky selfie with either his or your termas!! Haha. I think you did a fantastic job imitating his style and take it from me, he is going to love them! Lots of love! L33
They looked cool. A really nice adaptation of the 90s 'nid colour scheme. A good and easy basing tip is maybe to try Geek Gaming Scenics base ready mixes. Spread glue on the base, dip them into your mix of choice and seal. They're probably a wee bit more expensive than making your own mixes, but they make up for that in the range, quality and ease of use. It's a British company, but I'm certain there are stockists over there.
No worries. They also have a channel on RUclips (though sadly Luke stopped making new videos earlier this year) which has a ton of basing videos. Well worth a look.
Really enjoying your videos. It is fun to watch someone go through the same things I am right now as I get back into the hobby of painting miniatures. Keep at it.
Another great video! Really runs the gamut of the miniature painting process but the gaunts look fantastic! I wish i could paint that well and that fast. For cheap and accessible basing material i use tea bags. It’s a little less fine than basing flock and can settle a little less evenly on the base, but sometimes that looks quite nice. It smells nice too until i paint over it. It helps that i drink a lot of tea as well. 😅 Looking forward to your next vid!
Another great pair ting video. I love your reviews of the day. What went well or badly and plans for tomorrow. I just humble through with less planning and am learning from you! Thanks😀 I loved the original 90's static grass, goblin green bases if you really don't like the story es.
Great video! I'm sure Marcel will love your bugs! Really well done! The highlighting on the carapace looks great and makes it pop. Also very wise to paint the white of the carapace before painting the yellow-- I never paint straight yellow. The rest of the comment is tips. Feel free to ignore if you're not looking for advice! You're right. Masking everything off with putty would be more work. Maybe something you might try next time is, instead of painting the red with an airbrush (which is great if you're doing something where the model is 75%+ red or you have godlike control like Marco Frisoni) is instead painting the red with as a contrast/speed/instant/xpress paint, and do do the same as with the blue. It won't be as smooth, but if you babysit your contrast paint it'll add extra depth without creating coffee stains unless you're painting something something really big and smooth like space marine armor. After applying the red and blue over your zenithal, you can do your dark wash *pro tip: adding a coat of gloss varnish and using a glossy wash makes your washes run right into the recesses and not stick to the top! Just be sure to matt varnish everything at the end, which I recommend doing for all minis anyways) You can can even do this after the yellow stage to add extra depth. Alternatively, what you can do, is avoid painting the deep recesses on the carapace. Over red, it'll still look like 'natural enough' shadow. As for the basing, something that would help get the rocks where you want them is to use rocks that are a little smaller. Any time you use something big, you're going to have to carefully arrange them, which is just a paint for large amounts of models.
Thank you! And I truly appreciate all the tips. I never knew about the gloss varnish tip with contrast paints, I tend to get those coffee stains often so I’m excited to see how it works.
Another great video. Sadly, I'm old enough to remember buying the original tyranid models when they first released lol Army Painter paints are pretty good., I use them quite a lot. If you want to up your game a little, I'd recommend buying a red, blue and yellow from their Speed Paint range. Very versatile, great for adding saturation, and are fantastic as glazes if thinned with a bit of water/medium.
I have their speed paints but it didn't even occur to me to make my own glaze with them. I definitely want to try that in the future, thank you! And I think that's super cool you were there when the original Tyranid models came out, I love their designs!
Another great video! Would love to see you do more collaboration projects with other painters. As a beginner painter, I have NO IDEA what to do with my bases. I picked up a set that army painter put out for basing some time ago, and it has helped a lot. I still feel that I am not really sure even how to properly apply the glue and get my vision applied to those tiny little bases. Would be nice if you keep experimenting with them in another video!
I definitely still plan to experiment more with basing! It's something I want to get more comfortable with. I feel the same about applying the glue and stuff, it feels like I'm doing it all wrong. We will get it one day!
You have some talent young lady. Those models are very excellent. I'm here from Snakeworks channel. It looks like there is a new channel I like. Nice 👍
Suggestion for basing. Obviously determining what kind of landscape they are on has an impact. Do you do plants, grass or tufts? Or if you are going with a gravelly look, then maybe a mixture of the rocks you used and sand, as the sand will fill in the cracks so to speak. Also, unless you are replicating a scree or battered city scape, then all bigger rocks is unusual. I would also have looked at a much brighter dry brush on top of the black to bring out the shadows funnily enough. Anyway, just some thoughts.
These are all great suggestions thank you. It does look more mountainous and very dark, drybrushing a bit more lighter colors would have helped a lot I think.
Hi! Just a small suggestion, for stuff like rocks and sand, I suggest visiting pet stores (particularly the aquarium section) rather than hobby stores, as you'll get stuff much cheaper. Of course, picking up sand and rock also works, but then you have to cook it, and clean the rocks
They look fantastic Mel. So with regards to your issue with basing, I think it may be time for you to learn terrain making. This will help greatly with basing, as really a base is just a tiny scenic diorama. In keeping with the retro theme, may i suggest the classic rogue trader Spiky Cactus Balls as starting point?
This is going to sound weird, but rocks on the base almost always look wrong. My way of basing is a mix of fine sand or something like Stirland Mud texture paint for the texture, plus a few smaller rocks like you're using as interest pieces. I do all this before I prime. Priming helps to fix it all down and unify it. Then paint the model then paint the base to look like rocks.. I know that sounds wrong and stupid, but really it works better! You can then stick on grass, tuft, booshes, crystals, etc!!
Also builders merchants have sand.. I find certainly here in the UK they are generally happy for you to take a little tub in and grab some of the sand that's fallen on the floor from split bags.
I think that makes sense! These are miniatures so things need to be in proportion, they look more like they are on a mountain hill side than on sand or dirt. Now that I know how i want to try again! Thanks for these tips 😊
My favourite part of this video was hearing how long it took.. +1 Realisim. It's very disheartening watching a top tier painter on youtube and it looks like they painted some award winning mini a lazy afternoon :/
I wish we could all get these beautiful painted minis in a nice afternoon but we all put in time and effort to make them look good. Glad you enjoyed the realism!
This is probably the BEST video on the whole of RUclips. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you and the results are fantastic! 🎉🎉
Same here! I'm glad you like them 😊
Lol! That shirt screams "Saved by The Bell"!!
haha I was thinking more bus chair upholstery
Love the matching vaporwave (?) Outfit :)
Your talents are growing. They do look great
🙏 thank you.
That’s 90s alt rock/pop sounding music was a real nice touch.
haha thank you, it was a lot of fun to edit this one
I'm stoked, I enjoy your videos very much :)
aww thank you :) I love making them for you guys
Love your Chanel. Any direction is what I want to watch. 😊. Keep nocking it out of the park here.
Ah thanks! I'll keep having fun and making videos then 😊
They look killer!
Best place to get basing sand is Lowe's or Home Depot or whatever building supply store exists around you. A bag of construction sand has bits of varying size. Second to that, the cheapest kitty litter from a dollar store will also work.
Thank you! And Home Depot and dollar store kitty litter is so smart, and probably cheaper too 😅
@@melsminiloft Those are pretty much all I use when I do base stuff. I also make my own texture paste with baking soda, craft paint, wood glue, and some water to adjust consistency. I've said before I'm not big on basing so the cheapest/easiest way out is absolutely my choice!
As ever a great video!
😁 thank you!
Cool as always.
I feel honored every time I get your cool of approval 🙏 I'm glad you like it!
A swapping collaboration is a great idea and I enjoy Snakeworks channel too. An easy method for basing is a tub with some of the rocks you used plus beach sand . All mixed together in one box of various sizes just means you need to glue up your base then swipe it through your basing box . Instant base done.
I just need to go to the beach one day and grab some sand, summer has been too hot here for a trip to be worth it
Outstanding job! I've always been a fan of the rogue trader nids.
SnakeWorks' videos drive me nuts because he constantly mirrors his video back and forth when editing.
He doesn't any more!
Hey, love your videos. I used to struggle with basing, too. Here is what I did, perhaps it helps. Get a bag of bird sand. It is fine with some bigger pebbles in it. Put PVA glue on the base with an old brush - you can dillute it with some water, but it's not necessary. Sprinkle the sand on the glue, let it dry, paint and drybrush. Have fun.
Bird sand! Another super creative and cheaper way to make bases. Thank you for this advice!
These turned out great. I’m glad you were able to find a quick win during the process when your motivation was flagging. Quick wins like that are always powerful to keep you going during a project, let alone an army.
Thank you! and me too, after doing all their backs I just needed something that would help me get back in the zone.
Washes go on palletes, just like speedpaints. They are essentially a liquid already. They don't suffer as much as a speedpaint or contrast paint, but, its one of those things that is meant to go from bottle to model.
Totally love your videos
Also I love the idea of a squad swap with someone to paint, especially for rank and file like termagaunts. I'm going to see if anyone is interested at my local store, be nice to break the slump when painting the 60(!) termagaunts I have between a few different box sets :)
I thoroughly recommend it! its great fun!
It was a lot of fun, you get to try something new without having to have a mixed army. I hope you get to do it with someone!
Very glad you had fun with this, last of your videos I saw was the slapchop one and after all the bad experiences in that one it is cool to see you really enjoying this one. Those nids look cool.
It was a lot of fun, not surprisingly the more I'm learning the more fun it is!
Squad swap is a cool idea. How has noone commented on the shirts though, a true nod to the 90s!
That first one belongs in a museum. its a marvel.
I just had to haha
Great idea for a video! They turned out great. You've improved a ton already, Mel!
For sand I usually just buy playground sand. That gives me enough sand for basing to last at least 100 lifetimes.
Haha a huge bag of playground sand would definitely have worked but then I'd need a place to store a whole bag of playground sand.
Thanks!
I am really enjoying the fresh approach to the craft. It’s this very quality that has me watching the videos with such interest. Even if you do what others have done it’s your approach to it that inspires me. And that is what I need to get me through my piles of grey.
Absolutely loved this video. I happen to be going to mr snakeworks house next weekend so I will be taking a cheeky selfie with either his or your termas!! Haha.
I think you did a fantastic job imitating his style and take it from me, he is going to love them!
Lots of love! L33
I found you!! ❤❤😂❤❤
Say hi to my Orchid 'Nids for me!
They looked cool. A really nice adaptation of the 90s 'nid colour scheme. A good and easy basing tip is maybe to try Geek Gaming Scenics base ready mixes. Spread glue on the base, dip them into your mix of choice and seal. They're probably a wee bit more expensive than making your own mixes, but they make up for that in the range, quality and ease of use. It's a British company, but I'm certain there are stockists over there.
Thank you :) I will check it out! Once I feel more comfortable basing I can start to branch out into making my own and more advanced bases.
No worries. They also have a channel on RUclips (though sadly Luke stopped making new videos earlier this year) which has a ton of basing videos. Well worth a look.
Thought about stripping my 2 decade old smurf marines and trying again in the old box art style now I'm better myself.
Great job!
Ooh those would look so good. Do it!
Really enjoying your videos. It is fun to watch someone go through the same things I am right now as I get back into the hobby of painting miniatures. Keep at it.
I'm so glad you enjoy them, I hope your journey back into painting is going well!
Another great video! Really runs the gamut of the miniature painting process but the gaunts look fantastic! I wish i could paint that well and that fast.
For cheap and accessible basing material i use tea bags. It’s a little less fine than basing flock and can settle a little less evenly on the base, but sometimes that looks quite nice. It smells nice too until i paint over it. It helps that i drink a lot of tea as well. 😅
Looking forward to your next vid!
Tea bags are so smart! Everyone is so creative for basing. I am a big Tea drinker too and have a bunch laying around I could use. Thanks!
@@melsminiloft you’re welcome! I hope it helps!
Another great pair ting video. I love your reviews of the day. What went well or badly and plans for tomorrow. I just humble through with less planning and am learning from you! Thanks😀 I loved the original 90's static grass, goblin green bases if you really don't like the story es.
Stones*
Thank you :) the 90's static grass definitely has its own charm that adds to the whole look
Great video! I'm sure Marcel will love your bugs! Really well done! The highlighting on the carapace looks great and makes it pop. Also very wise to paint the white of the carapace before painting the yellow-- I never paint straight yellow.
The rest of the comment is tips. Feel free to ignore if you're not looking for advice!
You're right. Masking everything off with putty would be more work. Maybe something you might try next time is, instead of painting the red with an airbrush (which is great if you're doing something where the model is 75%+ red or you have godlike control like Marco Frisoni) is instead painting the red with as a contrast/speed/instant/xpress paint, and do do the same as with the blue. It won't be as smooth, but if you babysit your contrast paint it'll add extra depth without creating coffee stains unless you're painting something something really big and smooth like space marine armor.
After applying the red and blue over your zenithal, you can do your dark wash *pro tip: adding a coat of gloss varnish and using a glossy wash makes your washes run right into the recesses and not stick to the top! Just be sure to matt varnish everything at the end, which I recommend doing for all minis anyways) You can can even do this after the yellow stage to add extra depth. Alternatively, what you can do, is avoid painting the deep recesses on the carapace. Over red, it'll still look like 'natural enough' shadow.
As for the basing, something that would help get the rocks where you want them is to use rocks that are a little smaller. Any time you use something big, you're going to have to carefully arrange them, which is just a paint for large amounts of models.
Thank you! And I truly appreciate all the tips. I never knew about the gloss varnish tip with contrast paints, I tend to get those coffee stains often so I’m excited to see how it works.
Try Model Railroad Ballast for a basing material.
Another great video. Sadly, I'm old enough to remember buying the original tyranid models when they first released lol Army Painter paints are pretty good., I use them quite a lot. If you want to up your game a little, I'd recommend buying a red, blue and yellow from their Speed Paint range. Very versatile, great for adding saturation, and are fantastic as glazes if thinned with a bit of water/medium.
I have their speed paints but it didn't even occur to me to make my own glaze with them. I definitely want to try that in the future, thank you!
And I think that's super cool you were there when the original Tyranid models came out, I love their designs!
Another great video! Would love to see you do more collaboration projects with other painters. As a beginner painter, I have NO IDEA what to do with my bases. I picked up a set that army painter put out for basing some time ago, and it has helped a lot. I still feel that I am not really sure even how to properly apply the glue and get my vision applied to those tiny little bases. Would be nice if you keep experimenting with them in another video!
Theres no RIGHT way, just keep trying stuff until you find something you like and that works for you!
I definitely still plan to experiment more with basing! It's something I want to get more comfortable with. I feel the same about applying the glue and stuff, it feels like I'm doing it all wrong. We will get it one day!
Very cool and I look forward to seeing more of the series where you show us how you follow along with other tuts. Even better when it's a collab:)
You have some talent young lady. Those models are very excellent. I'm here from Snakeworks channel. It looks like there is a new channel I like. Nice 👍
Thank you! Glad you stopped by!
Suggestion for basing. Obviously determining what kind of landscape they are on has an impact. Do you do plants, grass or tufts? Or if you are going with a gravelly look, then maybe a mixture of the rocks you used and sand, as the sand will fill in the cracks so to speak. Also, unless you are replicating a scree or battered city scape, then all bigger rocks is unusual. I would also have looked at a much brighter dry brush on top of the black to bring out the shadows funnily enough. Anyway, just some thoughts.
These are all great suggestions thank you. It does look more mountainous and very dark, drybrushing a bit more lighter colors would have helped a lot I think.
Those eyes❤❤❤
Hi! Just a small suggestion, for stuff like rocks and sand, I suggest visiting pet stores (particularly the aquarium section) rather than hobby stores, as you'll get stuff much cheaper.
Of course, picking up sand and rock also works, but then you have to cook it, and clean the rocks
There are so many good suggestions for getting terrain, I feel so silly I didn't think of all of these! Haha thank you!
@@melsminiloft no need to feel silly, we all had to learn these tricks somewhere
Maaaaan I'm gonna need a link to that T H I C C guitar bit you had in the middle there
Is this the one you are talking about? It's my favorite of all the songs I added ruclips.net/video/1S4A-holDqE/видео.html
They look fantastic Mel. So with regards to your issue with basing, I think it may be time for you to learn terrain making. This will help greatly with basing, as really a base is just a tiny scenic diorama. In keeping with the retro theme, may i suggest the classic rogue trader Spiky Cactus Balls as starting point?
I love that idea. I've been wanting to make terrain for a while!
What did you use to stick the tyranids to the box while you base coated them with the spray? That's so simple but brilliant, wish I had thought of it.
Just some double sided tape 😊 it works surprisingly well!
This is going to sound weird, but rocks on the base almost always look wrong. My way of basing is a mix of fine sand or something like Stirland Mud texture paint for the texture, plus a few smaller rocks like you're using as interest pieces. I do all this before I prime. Priming helps to fix it all down and unify it. Then paint the model then paint the base to look like rocks.. I know that sounds wrong and stupid, but really it works better!
You can then stick on grass, tuft, booshes, crystals, etc!!
Also builders merchants have sand.. I find certainly here in the UK they are generally happy for you to take a little tub in and grab some of the sand that's fallen on the floor from split bags.
I think that makes sense! These are miniatures so things need to be in proportion, they look more like they are on a mountain hill side than on sand or dirt. Now that I know how i want to try again! Thanks for these tips 😊
the 90s isnt way WAYYYY back its only been ..... oh...
😂😂 time is an illusion
My favourite part of this video was hearing how long it took.. +1 Realisim. It's very disheartening watching a top tier painter on youtube and it looks like they painted some award winning mini a lazy afternoon :/
I wish we could all get these beautiful painted minis in a nice afternoon but we all put in time and effort to make them look good. Glad you enjoyed the realism!