What type of base would work well with Alpha Legion?

[StepwisePilot]

So, for an early Christmas gift, I got some Chaos Marines. I have assembled some of them separate from the base to make for easier basing. I wish to paint them in the Alpha Legion scheme. I have found plenty of helpful guides online as to how to do this. I've also included a picture that shows the colour scheme, for those that don't know it.

Anyway, at first I thought I'd do a lava scheme, which I have previously posted examples of. However, that is horribly hard to do, as to get the cracks the size I wanted took about 10 tries, and even now I can't properly replicate it. Then I thought I'd do an icy base, as I have previously done that well enough (And also previously posted). However, it was pointed out to me that a base should really contrast with the model a lot in order to look good. As such, I don't know if the icy base would work.

So, I turn to you guys. Do any of you have ideas for basing schemes that would work well with Alpha Legion? I'd rather not just do a muddy field with grass like I did for my AoS Ironjawz.

I've also posted a basing guide I found online. Would any of them do?

(Pictures are small, so click on them to see a bigger version)

[redshirt2375]

My non-artistic thoughts would be Martian or Eye of Terror

[Frosty the Pirate]

Of the ones listed on that image, the sorcerer's one (bottom left) would work the best for the alpha legion classic scheme on my eye.

The reason for this is the slight blue tint in the base colour. It will help make the blue alpha legion colour look really blue and draw your eye correctly.

Everyone misuses complementary colors and you'll get a lot of replies saying use an orange or brown base, but it won't look quite as good as a grey one with a slight blue or purple hint to it to make the other blues pop

[StepwisePilot]

Alright, thanks guys. Seems I may need to get some new paints then, hahaha.

Odd question, but does anyone here think it would be safe to order paints online in winter? I'm trying to take this lockdown seriously, so would rather stay home outside of groceries and such, which means no curbside pickups for paint. Would and paint I order online freeze over and become unusable?

[StepwisePilot]

I've decided I'll try to go with an ice base after all. Mostly because I don't want a muddy base. How about this though, in case anyone sees this and ends up caring, I'll leave it to a vote.

What do you guys think I should do? An icy base (Sort of like the Ice Fields of Fenris seen up there), or a dusty badlands base (Sort of like Martian Wasteland up there, but browns instead).

[dave]

I say do an icy blue one, paint up a model and put him on it. I haven't seen it done, but I think it would look good. As was mentioned, the slight blue tint of the ice should make the alpha legion blue pop. If you end up hating it, you can always try another.

[StepwisePilot]

Alright, thanks.

[Frosty the Pirate]

The great part about Valhalla Snow is it looks great on top of almost any basing texture Citadel has. There are other ways to make snow bases as well if you prefer but they will take somewhat more effort imo.

I'd say just jump in and try to come up with a process that gets the look you want, but isn't an insane level of effort. If you are putting more than say 10-20% of a rank-n-file model's effort into it's base, that's too much for me. Remember, you gotta be able to replicate that process 50+ times (in some cases more)