Base Rim Colour?!

DomyHill · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:16 pm

It's the ultimate question facing all miniature painters. From Warhammer 40k to the Hobbit; what colour should one use on the rim of the base? Of course it's down to personal preference but the choice speaks volumes and is arguably the most important decision a painter faces and is certainly the most intricate part of the painting process. I used Calthan Brown up until I ran out and obviously can't replace it. I thought for the Hobbit I would start anew and mix it up a bit opting for a darker Scorched Brown (I know I won't be able to replace that either and I know I'm an idiot) but I'm not happy with it. What colours do you guys use? (Pictures of your choice will be helpful for me to decide too.)

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:22 pm

Bestial Brown for me - no real reason just what i've always used

Lord of Gondor · **Joined:** Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:30 pm **Posts:** 67

Ahh the question of questions, the only one that really matters...
I too always use Bestial Brown, but I can't remember what its new equivalent is. When I started, I used to think everyone used it! but now I'm keen to try something new, but my OCD prevents me from changing as it wont match, while my crippling laziness and steadily growing backlog means I don't have time to spend re-painting all my forces. If I were you, I'dd choose a colour you like, probably nothing too bright or vivid or it will take attention away from the painted model, and stick to it. But whatever you do, make sure you're happy with it!

SidTheSloth · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:36 pm

I use scorched brown for baddies and calthan for goddies and adeptus battlegrey for sub-terrainian (goboes and dwarfs)

Lord Hurin · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:40 pm

For me, it depends. For the more arid, wasteland environments of Mordor and Rhun I use a Graveyard Earth-esque colour with rocks and pebbles strewn on the base and sparse grass.

For more lush areas like Rohan (and by extension Isengard) or Gondor I use Scorched Brown/ Rhinox Hide and green flock with a few larger rocks or remains of buildings poking through.

For mountainous areas like Erebor or Moria I use Astromicon Grey as a base with lots of rocks and pebbles drybrushed Codex Grey and a little grass or lichen.

DomyHill · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:47 pm

That's why I'm changing now Gondor! My OCD will allow a change to distinguish between the LOTR and the Hobbit, he's so kind. XV-88 seems to be a popular choice from the new range. I think a layer or base version of the texture paint Stirland Mud would be ideal as that's the paint I use atop the bases but I don't know if such a paint exists!? Steal Legion Drab is another possibility.

Bartelomeus · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:54 pm

The Goblin painting tutorial featured in the Hobbit release WD uses Baneblade Brown, it doesnt seem to be the color the bases of studio models have though.

There are really nice tutorials on http://taleofpainters.blogspot.nl, which use XV-88 by the way.

I've always used Scorced Brown because thats the base color op my basing.

DomyHill · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:02 pm

Yeah, I've seen that tutorial! That's why I'm not painting any more goblins until I have all of the paints they use! I think XV-88 is the way I'll go.

Beowulf03809 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:15 pm

I prefer to use the base color as force-specific. My Mordor / Dol Guldur forces use black. My Elves are Catchan Green. Fellowship models are Shadow Grey. Istari bases are Mithril Silver. For animals (Spiders, Wargs) I've used Scorched Brown and for Rohan I'm using Besital Brown.

Lord of Gondor · **Joined:** Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:30 pm **Posts:** 67

lol your OCD is too kind...
Brown seems to be the common theme here. Did some of the WD articles use the old Graveyard Earth (I haven't really converted my paint collection yet- guess it shows how much I get done!) or am I dreaming?

Rangefinder · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:54 pm

I am so glad this topic popped up!

I seriously had not considered it before.
24 WOMT painted, and 4 Half Trolls. And none have the Base Rim painted.

At least I had not put down the Purity Seal on them!!!

Brown something is my vote.

kayje · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:14 pm

Rangefinder wrote:

I am so glad this topic popped up!

I seriously had not considered it before.
24 WOMT painted, and 4 Half Trolls. And none have the Base Rim painted.

At least I had not put down the Purity Seal on them!!!

Brown something is my vote.

Me neither, I leave them all black :rofl:

(there is a small, but specific, diference between the uruk-hai and the elf, I tought)

But if I should, I would go for a lighter brown.

John Wayne · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:26 pm

You cant go wrong with a trusty black. Simple and only one coat need to be applied. Looks great on any sort of terrain as well.

theavenger001 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:31 pm

John Wayne wrote:

You cant go wrong with a trusty black. Simple and only one coat need to be applied. Looks great on any sort of terrain as well.

This.

Gene Parmesan · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:34 pm

Black. Terrain neutral.

hithero · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:39 pm

Black, for some reason it looks good on any terrain. Painting rims green or brown looks to me as if the painter is trying to blend the model into the cloth and not succeeding.

Bartelomeus · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:46 pm

That black looks great indeed, if your looking for a stunning color display wise.
I want my base to blend with my gamingboard so I use the same color as I do for my dirt roads. Most of the surface is covered with grass of course but I think a green that resembles static grass (like Goblin Green) looks really awkward.

Dezartfox · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:51 pm

I've always done black edges

Mainly because I see the base a display piece and prefer the tops to look as flat as possible. To me brown edges and a brown base makes everyone look as if they're on tiny hills!

I use one of these pens:
http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Uni_POSCA_PC-17K.html

black of course, I had it for a project at uni, it's basically paint in a pen, doesn't smell and goes over whatever colour the base was totally fine. The white pens are fantastic too if you ever need one. The white will go over the black with one coat... MAGICAL!

SouthernDunedain · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:53 pm

I do mine Graveyard Earth. Never liked black bases for some reason - always seem incomplete :roll:

John Wayne · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:56 pm

Dezartfox wrote:

I've always done black edges

Mainly because I see the base a display piece and prefer the tops to look as flat as possible. To me brown edges and a brown base makes everyone look as if they're on tiny hills!

I use one of these pens:
http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Uni_POSCA_PC-17K.html

black of course, I had it for a project at uni, it's basically paint in a pen, doesn't smell and goes over whatever colour the base was totally fine. The white pens are fantastic too if you ever need one. The white will go over the black with one coat... MAGICAL!

Nice Uruks man

Base Rim Colour?!

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