A miniature base should support the figure’s scale, setting and stability. Cork, sand, texture paint and grass tufts all work, but they solve different visual problems. Cork creates raised rock layers, sand gives fine ground grain, texture paint provides a quick integrated surface, and tufts add selective plant shapes. A convincing base is not the one with the most materials. It is the one that keeps the miniature’s pose believable and leaves enough empty space for the feet and important details.
Start with scene and size
Before opening a glue bottle, decide where the figure is standing: dry road, damp forest, ruined building or rough mountain pass. Look at the base diameter and the miniature’s stance. A small infantry base might need one stone, a patch of fine grit and a single tuft. A larger monster base can carry a stepped rock ledge and additional vegetation.
Use materials with texture in scale. A large real pebble can read like a boulder under a small figure, while fine sand might appear almost like smooth earth. There is no universal particle size because miniature scales and visual styles vary. Test a dry arrangement beside the unpainted figure first.
Cork: build height and broken stone
Torn cork pieces suggest strata, rubble and jagged ledges. Stack a few pieces if the scene requires height, but check that the miniature does not look precariously balanced and that the finished base fits its storage case. Seal or prime the material with a compatible product before painting if needed. The Army Painter’s Battlefield Rocks product uses natural-looking cork stones and recommends basing glue for attachment.
Cork edges usually look better when their layered faces remain visible. Paint them with a dark rock midtone and select higher ridges with restrained drybrushing. Do not build an entire tower beneath a heavy figure without considering stability and the strength of its attachment.
Sand: make coherent ground texture
Fine sand and other small grit can cover a flat base with gravel, dust or soil. Apply compatible basing glue in a thin layer and add the texture without burying toes or base details. Let it dry before brushing away loose grains. Paint the surface if its original color is inconsistent with the scene. Mix textures sparingly; three wildly different grain sizes may make a tiny base look like a scale mismatch.
Avoid collecting unknown outdoor material without considering pests, contamination and local rules. Commercial prepared basing material offers more predictable cleanliness and sizing.
Texture paint: simple relief without loose grains
Texture paint can create mud, cracked earth or fine roughness directly on the base. Follow its manufacturer’s instructions for thickness, drying and compatible substrates. A deeply sculpted paste may take longer to cure than a thin coat; do not paint or varnish until it has set as directed. If a product shrinks or cracks beyond its intended effect, test smaller amounts instead of applying an even thicker layer.
Leave a clear region for the miniature’s feet or test the final foot contact before committing. A figure should look planted in the ground, not hovering on lumps of paint.
Tufts: place vegetation where it makes sense
Tufts are a finishing detail, not a uniform carpet. Cluster a few plants near rocks or low areas where vegetation plausibly accumulates. Use tweezers and the adhesive type specified by the tuft manufacturer. The Army Painter notes that its tufts can be placed with basing glue or compatible superglue, with different handling speeds.
Use sparse dry tufts for arid scenes and richer grass tones for damp settings. Matching every tuft to the same height and spacing can look like a decorative pattern rather than a landscape.
Assemble and finish a sample base
- Dry-fit the figure and mark foot locations.
- Add primary cork or stones, checking balance and storage clearance.
- Glue fine sand or place texture paint around the larger pieces.
- Prime and paint only when the chosen material and coatings are compatible.
- Add light highlights to edges that should face the light.
- Attach a few tufts after most painting is complete.
- Clean the base rim and test the finished figure on a flat surface.
The Army Painter’s basing set demonstrates a similar layered concept: ground texture, selected rocks, and tufts. For an army, write down the ground color and material mix so the next unit’s bases match even when individual stones differ. Keep small pieces, glues and sharp tools out of reach of children and follow their safety labels.
Browse the Miniature Painting and Basing topic hub, the miniatures category, and the Hobby Articles directory. For base preparation, see the drybrushing guide for textures.