I use a number of different base materials, wood, plastic picture frames, or sheet rock, but I spread joint compound (Sheetrock mud) on the surface to simulate the concrete. I score the base to give the mud something to stick to, spread it on evenly and when dry, lightly sand any ridges out, add expansion lines, and paint it a nice greyish tan that I make out of tempera paint, put in a nice brownish-black for the tar-caulk in the expansion lines, add oil stains with thinned paint, then seal it with a clear flat spray varnish. I add any runway markings, lines, and whatnot by masking and spray with enamel, flat-coat it again, then add the birds.