Creating Groundwork

By Terry Martin - August 2004

I. Ground Work Inspirations -Base your groundwork on something having to do with your figure. -Research the period that your figure lived in, fought in, etc. -Look in books for ideas pertinent to the figure'surroundings. -Look for items to use to enhance your groundwork :crates, ammo boxes, barrels, etc. -Scale idea down to fit on a base.

II…Groundwork Preparation -Mark off /tape off area you want to create groundwork on -Score the area with a sharp knife, Xacto knife -Add balsa/A&B figure pad to host figure -Drill any holes for attaching figures, dioramas items -Dry fit figures, items to base to see if they fit/overall impression -Put toothpicks in drilled out holes so glue will not run into them

III…Groundwork Materials -Durham's Water Putty -SculpteyMold -Celluclay -A&B Putty *follow directions on box/bag for mixing and applying groundwork material

IV…Groundwork Applied -Color groundwork by adding appropriate acrylic color for soil/dirt -Apply groundwork to base with small spatula, item or tool that allows you to control the amount of groundwork applied to the base. -Let groundwork dry under a 100 watt bulb for 20-30 minutes -Then apply your gutter dirt, kitty liter, hemp for grass, static grass, etc -For any items that are loose apply a mixture of Elmer's White Glue and a touch of water. This acts as an anchor to further attach items -Shake off excess before you paint groundwork -Set groundwork/base under 100 watt bulb to dry for another 20-30 minutes

V… Closing Thoughts on Groundwork -Groundwork should enhance the impression, view of your figure. -Groundwork should have balance and depth -Groundwork should be painted and nothing left unpainted -Groundwork can always be improved upon…Learn from others!

VI…Groundwork Samples -Western hitching post -Gabion fortification -European hitching post -Fountain -Log fortification

Recommended Articles, Books on Groundwork…

1. - Kessler, Lynn and Winar, Don How to Paint Realistic Military Figures, pgs 61-81, Kalmbach Books, 1993 ISBN #0-89024-125-2

2. -Knee, Bob articles in Rebel Sabretache

3. -Ottinger, Bill, Napoleonic Plastic Figure Modelling, pgs 10-116, Windrow and Greene Publishing 1987, ISBN #1-85915-019-5

4. -Paine, Shep book, How to Build Dioramas, pgs 2-24 Kalmbach Books, 1981 ISBN #0-89024-551-7