I painted this base as part of a general miniature basing video. If you want any additional information or advice on basing in general, please check out the YouTube channel linked from my profile.

1. Basecoat the sand area with Zandri Dust . I like to thin the paint to ensure it get between sand and debris well. this will probably take a couple of coats.
2. Wash the base with Seraphim Sepia . In areas where you want a bit more definition to the shadows, I recommend popping a little Agrax Earthshade in there and letting the two shades mingle while they are wet.
3. Drybrush the base with Ushabti Bone . Make this quite a heavy drybrush.
4. Drybrush the base again, this time more lightly with Screaming Skull .
5. Pick out the most raised points and the occasional gran of sand with Pallid Wych Flesh .
6. Paint in any extra details, like these rocks and skulls.
7. Apply any flock or tufts to areas you wish to add visual interest to.
8. Paint the rim of the base with Steel Legion Drab .

2024 Update

Since I originally wrote this guide, my methd of painting desert bases has changed slightly. It has been streamlined somewhat, thanks to the "How to Make: A Desert Base" video on YouTube by Quarter Paint's. So, be sure to check that out if you like this guide.

1. Basecost with Zandri Dust .
2. Wash with Agrax Earthshade .
3. Re-establish the base colour with a drybrush of Zandri Dust again.
4. Drybrush slightly lighter with Ushabti Bone .
5. Light drybrush with Screaming Skull .
6. Wash rocks with Reikland Fleshshade .
7. Pick out occasional grains of sand and the points of the rocks with dots of Pallid Wych Flesh .
8. Finish with a base rim of Steel Legion Drab .

Cacti/Cactuses

1. Basecoat with Loren Forest .
2. Wash with Coelia Greenshade .
3. Drybrush with Straken Green , to bring out the raised details.
4. Lightly drybrush from a downward 45 degree angle with a mix of Straken Green and Ice Yellow (or Dorn Yellow ).
5. Add very small/specular highlights with pure Ice Yellow .

Light Sand

1. The method used for this base is largely the same as the above method, but with a different wash. I think the result looks noticeably different though.
2. Basecost with Zandri Dust .
3. Drybrush with Ushabti Bone , pretty heavily. I used a soft makeup brush in circular motions to get a smooth result.
4. Wash with Seraphim Sepia , pulling pigment towards recesses and away from the raised portions.
5. Re-establish the Ushabti Bone with a slightly less aggressive drybrush.
6. Light drybrush with Screaming Skull .
7. Add some White to your Screaming Skull and picked out a few small/specular highlights.