SKULLCRAFTS - TUTORIALS - BASING TUTORIALS - GLUE PINCH & SHAPE METHOD
HOME COMPANY TUTORIALS ONLINE STORE FORUMS LINKS
    I will be referring to this method of basing (throughout the tutorial) as GPSM, which is short for the technique's name. I will be using a 40mm round black plastic display lip base to apply my flock to. You can use any shape and/or size you like; it won't make any difference as far as how to apply it.
    GPSM is not an advanced technique, but it's more involved than most others. Decorating a base in this fashion should take roughly 30-40 minutes, though I have completed several in 20 minutes or less. For this method, you will need the following items: 2 contrasting types of flock, 3 small containers, a pair of tweezers, PVA glue, a toothpick and something to recapture our unused excess materials (I will be using a regular piece of printer paper folded in half). Let's place each of our two contrasting colors in two of the three containers. The third container will be held in reserve to recapture our excess, but we can set it aside for now.

2 Contrasting Flock Colors With 3 Containers
Tweezers, Toothpick, Glue & Printer Paper
Placing the Flock in Containers

    The first thing we're going to want to do is create a really thick layer of glue on the base. This layer should be twice as thick as you would normally apply for just regular flock applications. This will be the foundation for our flock colors we will be applying. It's important to remember not to add water to the Skullcrafts glue for the GPSM technique because we need it to be thick for this to work properly.
    In this next step, we are going to be using tweezers to pinch some flock from our containers and drop them in place on the base. You can use your fingers to do this, but the tweezers are a more precise tool for flock placement. We want the two contrasting colors placed in random areas on the base, but making a predetermined application of colors would work just as well. Make sure you place enough flock on the glue areas so that the flock can soak up the glue, but not be wet on the top surface. You will want to give the glue and flock time enough to combine and semi-cure. Don't wait too long though; if the glue sets up, we won't be able to achieve our effect. I usually apply both colors to the base at the same time as it helps to speed the process up a bit.

Lay a Thick Layer of Glue on the Base
Applying Flock With Tweezers
Applying More Flock

    After the glue and flock have had 5-10 minutes to set up, we are going to want to turn the base upside down over the printer paper and gently tap off some of the excess. Don't tap off too much, the base is still curing and the glue may run in places. We don't want that. Turn the base right side up and make sure no glue is running over the edges or seeping through. We want the entire surface to be covered with the two flock colors. You may have to reapply flock in those areas that glue seeps through and/or you may have to clean up glue that spills over the edges.
    Now let's take the toothpick and start pressing down in various locations. It's important not to get too crazy with this as we are only looking to shape the surface of the base to make it look uneven. It will give the illusion that the ground is more natural. We all know that nature doesn't provide us with flat golf-course-like areas everywhere. However, if you press down in areas too many times, it looks unatural...almost like the ground beneath is bubbling. Allow 10-15 minutes for the glue and flock to set and begin to cure.

Tap Off Excess Flock
Begin to Press Areas Down With a Toothpick
More Pressing Down

    Let's place our excess flock we have on our printer paper into the third container. Shake this up (with the lid on) until the two colors are blended. We will use this blended color to apply to the base in various areas. Once the base has had time to cure, we are going to want to tap off the remaining excess flock over the printer paper. Try to get as much off as possible, but since we are going to be applying more flock...it doesn't need to be perfect just yet. For the next step, you can use a paint brush or the glue applicator to dab small drops of glue to the base in locations you think will look good. Once you have them where you want them, you can then take the tweezers and apply the blended flock color to the glue drops.

Making the Blended Flock Color
Apply Glue Drops
Apply Blended Flock With Tweezers

    After allowing the glue and flock to set up, tap off the excess into the printer paper again. Put all the excess flock back into the third (blended color) container for a future project. You can blow off the base now and if it needs it, use a paintbrush to sweep off any clingy flock. That's it, we're done. The result is a finished base that looks good on any war table.

Tap Off the Excess Flock
Put Excess Flock in Container
Blow/Sweep off Remaining Flock

Now isn't That Nice...
It's so Cute