Is it better to put sand on and then spray the miniature or the other way round if I want to paint the sand brown?

Most of the times I prime the sand black too. allows more contrast when you drybrush it with different tones of brown later

_________________
Check out my WIP: www.one-ring.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=24858

I agree with Rognarr, better to base with sand then spray, helps it stick better too.

i always forget to add sand first in my rush to get painting, priming black does look better

I like to part finish the base before starting on the figure.

_________________
http://jannersjaunt.blogspot.dk

Sand then spray. It helps seal it, and you can paint over the black fairly easily.

Thanks guys. Help much appreciated

as said many times, PVA, sand, dry, then spray, dry and paint. The spraying helps to seal the sand on and prevents it all flaking off, leaving sand everywhere and sand showing through your painted base.