Basing can obviously make or break a miniature, but there is an art to setting a miniature in a scene without overwhelming it..
http://www.puttyandpaint.com/projects/7232
There are some pretty simple pointers that are well executed in this Grey Seer. The first is to not obstruct the direction on the miniature.. The clam pack mini has a great motion to the left and John has successfully avoided the first major blooper. The basing is busy, but also flows in the direction of the motion. Weighted visually with a large column piece, the base gives the viewer a physical weight to accompany the Seer's motions, immediately making the mini feel "balanced" despite being a smaller miniature on a larger base..
"Ysra" by Artem "Landreth" Romanov
http://www.puttyandpaint.com/projects/1373
Ysra is one of my favorite female sculpts of all time... (I need to pick one up) So the choice of this miniature may be a bit biased.
The basing Artem has finished this miniature with literally creates a slice of the world this character lives in. He successfully navigated blooper number two. The miniatures' color scheme is noticeably different from the background. Even with the abundance of detail and color on the rock, ground and tree, Yrsa remains the absolute center of attention. The basing serves as a background, not a second focal point, which allows the viewer to see the mage first, and the natural setting second. A bonus is the echo of the tree branch with Yrsa's outstreched arm, which gives the piece the same feel of motion as the previous grey seer.
"Tribute of the Fallen" by Rafael García Marín (Volomir)
http://www.puttyandpaint.com/projects/1501
Rafael has created quite an impression with his "Tribute." Bloopers one and two have been successfully avoided. The first is navigated by placing a large space for the eye to "rest" by having the large rock largely devoid of interesting detail. In a piece with so much detail, the visual rest is necessary so as not to overwhelm the viewer. The second blooper is avoided by having the details of the base slightly less highlighted, to signal to the viewer where the focus is. Also note as a bonus, the wave crashing on the rock in the same corner as the gaze of the rider and his mount.
The elf and lion's faces are given a matching facing that grips the viewer instantly. The banner serves as a secondary setting of sorts that truly allows the rider's face to pop out of toned down color palette. The "blazing sun" pattern on the banner also frames and echoes the lines of the helmet while the high elf icon creates a halo to hint at the emotion of the scene.