A quick question about bases

[panzerjager2]

So as I indicated sometime back, there are those that consider me to be an experienced modeler, this may or may not be a factual statement. HOWEVER, there is no way in heck I could be considered experienced at base building. I believe the last base I completed was during the the Clinton administration......(are we catching what I'm stepping in?)  To clarify, I could really use some input, or constructive advise from those of you who build bases.........


The base for my Ferdinand was constructed from balsa wood and Papermache/pencil shavings. The terrain features tried to simulate the fields and or foliage that surrounds the  Ponyri area of Central Russia at the height of summer. "I think I've captured the basic elements"....  My question(s) concerns highlighting terrain features. In models we highlight can do this utilizing washes. Can you do the same on terrain?? Could I, should I, and why would I do this?.

And since the Kursk offensive was fought in July at the height of summer, it's safe to say that the movement and subsequent combat operations involving 2 1/2 million men, 5000 tanks and self-propelled guns  MUST have kick up a little dust, (too say the least). Won't this mean any wash of the terrain would be hidden and or obscured by this "dust"??


Here is the base as it stands today

Thank you

[vlpbruce]

It looks good to me PJ.
I see what you are saying about the dust, but I really don't have an answer, sorry.

[Leon]

PJ, don't know if this helps! You could try thinning some Tamiya buff and misting it on in light coats as you would armor.That way you won't loose any of your terrain features and have control where you want the dust..HTH

[panzerjager2]

Gentleman....   Much thanks....      

Leon, I'll do some trials and see whatz what

[John Everett]

Could we see it in better lighting?

You can absolutely treat plant materials, dirt and stones/rocks with highlight and shadow just as done with a vehicle. Plain old dry brushing with a yellow ochre does very well on any plant meant to be green. Airbrush a nice highlight or dark patch onto a rock casting or dirt road. It hard to screw up the natural, random world.

As an athstetic consideration in this scene, is it still possible to smooth out the transition between the dirt and the wood? The "wall of mud" attracts too much attention to itself.