Techniques
Base and display
Base and display finishes the job: a base that sets the model in a place, and a spot to show it where light, heat and dust will not undo the work.
Kits and minis
Sand is the simplest basing material. Spread slightly thinned craft (PVA) glue on the base, dip it in sand or fine model railway ballast, shake off the loose grains, and paint it once dry. A mix of fine, medium and coarse ballast looks more natural than one grain size.
Paint ground texture with a base colour, a brown wash into the gaps, then one or two light drybrushes of lighter tones. This is the same recess-and-raised-edge approach as weathering, applied to the ground.
Add greenery last, once the figure and ground are painted: tufts, static grass or turf flock, fixed with a dot of glue. Then decide whether to varnish: some varnishes can make unpainted sand turn semi-transparent, which is why sand is usually painted first.
Common bench practice for display: a closed cabinet keeps dust off, which matters most for weathered or flocked models, and finished models are kept out of direct sun and away from radiators.
Bench tip. Common bench practice: base the model before you glue it to the plinth or base edge, so you can paint the ground without working around the model.
Brick builds
Pick the spot before you build the stand. LEGO advises keeping bricks dry, away from heat and out of direct sunlight, and warns that temperatures above 40°C can make bricks brittle or discoloured over time.
Display stands, plinths and wall mounts can be built from bricks, bought, or both. Common bench practice is to support a large model under its heaviest point rather than letting a long section hang unsupported over months.
LEGO lists minifigure display cases among its fans' favourite storage ideas; casing whole finished sets is common display practice.
Bench tip. Common bench practice: photograph a big display set from a few angles once it is finished; it makes rebuilding or repairing it later far easier.
Technique guides
How to base miniatures with sand and grass
A textured, painted base is the quickest way to make a miniature look finished. This is the simple sand, paint and grass method most painters start with.
Related guides
Painting basics
Seven stages every painting guide on this site builds on: priming, base coats, washes, layering, highlighting, basing and varnish. Method and materials follow Army Painter's own technique guides in the sources below; we have not run every step on one model ourselves. Works for plastic kits and miniatures alike.
Researched method, not a tested build
Sources
- Reaper Miniatures Craft Section: Part 2, For Minis Requiring Assembly (Ron Vutpakdi) . Confirms: Sand and ballast basing, thinned craft glue, basecoat, wash and drybrush method, static grass and turf added last, varnish can make sand semi-transparent . Checked 31 Oct 2026.
- LEGO Help Topics: Sorting and storing your LEGO bricks . Confirms: Store dry, away from heat and direct sunlight; above 40°C bricks may become brittle or discolour; minifigure display cases . Checked 31 Oct 2026.