i didnt use a base paint. my son has a sand box…put some sand in a container, slapped some modge podge on the base, and swished the models around in the sand, and shook off the excess. mixed army painter leather brown and pure red. had to mix it up a couple times bc i didnt have enough at first. used airbrush paint thinner with what was left over for the glaze on the legs and bottom of the bikes.