Well, I know what size bases I am using, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips for basing WWI stuff. 

My oppo, Sid, very cleverly stuck his models to the base, did the texturing then and after that undercoated and painted the whole thing, base and figures, as one.  Being daft I painted my figures and then stuck them to the untextured bases, and now I am worried about getting basing material all over the figures!  I was hoping for a clever solution, which may be over-optimistic...

Rich

I'd far rather do it your way. But I paint lots of figures in close order, which would make painting the based figures impossible.

50/50 PVA glue and water mixture, dip bases into silver sand, brush off any excess with dry no.2 brush.

i hate this problem!!

i always paint my figures first, then stick them to the base, then gloss varnish. Then i do the textured basing. If i get any on the figures then the gloss varnish means i can easily wipe (or chip it off). When i'm done i then do my matt varnish to finish off.

Having said that - all my figures so far are from close order periods which means its difficult to paint after basing. If you are doing WW1 then are you doing single figure basing ? in which case i think i would texture first.

I must admit I am not mad on the PVA and sand method, but in tis situation I can see it being the least worst option. 

Thanks chaps.

Rich

For WWII, that is figures in open order, I base first, as there is plenty of space to get the paint brush in.

For close order figures I paint first then base, goat major's tip about gloss varnishing definately helps.

As well as the traditional sand and PVA I have started using Ronseal wood filler, which is a thick paste in assorted shades of brown. You can smear a good layer of this on the base, then push the figures in, it is strong enough to stick the figures on, and nicely fills the gaps between bases. A little prodding with a cocktail stick to push it up to bases and add some texturing is all that's required.

For WW1 it should give a good smooth mud look.

Struggling to link directly to the right images from my iPad, but on these links are some examples
These Romans need their bases finishing, but the spearmen give a good view of the raw look
http://www.kerynne.com/games/LateEraRomans.html

These US Airborne, have been dry brushed and flocked
http://www.kerynne.com/games/USParas.html

Actual images this time
Romans with 'raw' filler on their bases


airborne with dry brushed and flocked bases

As they say round here Rich [West Somerset, when you ask for directions to get somewhere...], "I wouldn't start from here..."

I always base & texture my figures before undercoating [whether single fingures, massed close ranks or skirmish-order] - it's so much easier really I think.

From where you are though, if you're confident enough, I'd do my not-for-the-fainthearted trick: superglue & sand  It's fast & can be easier than PVA: with PVA you'll end up worrying about where you're getting the glue as you brush it around figure feet etc: with superglue you'd look at raising the base, but keeping it level [on top of something smaller] - bung your thin superglue on the base & drop sand onto it [newspaper underneath would be a good idea  ]

It'll dry fast  you're ready to paint it.

Alternatively, you could mix up PVA: pre-mixed Polyfilla: Sand: Water at about 40:40:10:10 ratio -bung a bit of brown paint in - and then brush this on 

Remember not to use your best sable brushes when trying Nik's last recommendation 

Another one of those "dozen different answers grom six gamers" answers.

For my WW1 figures I base them (in open order) prime with white primer, paint then wash with dervlan mud. 

For the bases I use green basetex with a bit of fine sand sprinkled on top, wen its dry I use watered down Dulux Espresso to give dark brown patches then dry brush with Dulux Muddy puddle for the drying mud effect on the bases and lower half of figures.