Wednesday 17 December 2014

"Stop Fighting And Make Nice! Or Iceman Will Make Ice!”

This 28mm “Wizkids” model of Iceman is number 039 from the “Heroclix” Marvel Xplosion range of plastic miniatures and was not only my first submission for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge but also my Bonus Round Cold theme entry.

The model, which is actually 58mm in height, was initially undercoated with “Vallejo” White before I applied a heavy wash of Blue Shade. Because the figure is made of a light shiny blue transparent plastic, which is significantly more brittle than the manufacturer’s usual soft plastic, I actually ended up having to apply several coats of both the White paint and then the Blue Shade before the model was appropriately covered. In addition there was absolutely no give in the plastic whatsoever, so I ended up having to repeatedly superglue his arms back into his sockets as just the weight of my brushing the paint onto the model kept making them ‘pop out’ at the shoulders.
As I wanted to try and capture the deep dark icy blue of the original plastic I made sure that the acrylic wash was rather heavily applied. Once dry I started the hour or so long process of slowly drawing a lightly charged number 10 round “Royal & Langnickel” brush over the sculpts raised surfaces. With some patience, I eventually found that the white paint transferred onto the founding X-Man's detail and also started to become quite powdery as well. As a result every now and then I’d just gently dab the model with the edge of the brush and create a covering of fine soft white dust over the model. Once I was happy that I’d built up enough of these layers on the model, I more heavily charged my brush and applied a final ‘drybrush’ over the entire figure. This thicker wetter paint gave the mutant superhero a brighter white highlight across his sharp icy edges.

To finish off the model I applied a few layers of “Citadel” snow flock to the 40mm base, and around Bobby Drake’s feet. I was tempted to add some additional snow flock to other areas of the model but as this figure’s ultimate fate will be a place on my wargaming table I thought such delicate applications would soon rub off once the miniature was being handled.
I’m continuing to progress the eight “Pulp Figures” which come from Bob Murch’s Boys In Blue miniature packs, despite something of a demotivating disaster yesterday when two of the coppers’ hands promptly dropped off whilst painting them; a disconcerting sight at the best of times. I am not sure if it was a case of not kneading my green stuff well enough or simply using too much so the super-glue didn’t actually attach itself to both the hand and wrist socket. But whatever the reason it certainly resulted in one of those ‘I can’t be bothered with these any more’ moments which I think we all encounter with this hobby from time to time?

Fortunately, having visited a few fellow blogger postings including one from Anne [http://fortwitter.blogspot.co.ukwhere she’s clearly working on her “Pulp Figures”, I was back in the mood and set about cleaning up the models, re-attaching a wooden truncheon here and replacing a pistol with a rifle there; the latter being additionally super-glued to the model’s overcoat to provide it with an additional point of contact.
Two of the models (because I luckily don’t need to paint in their eyes) just need the odd bit of silver and brass being ‘picked out’ and washed. Whilst another, inspired by New York City cop Samuel J. Battle, really just needs his face and peaked cap painted as well as his buttons. The rest still need a bit of work to be done if I am to have them all ready for Curt and my Saturday posting window for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge; but I have finished the vintage call box and fire hydrant models which accompanied the American Police Officers, so I’ll at least be able to post something new at the weekend. 

16 comments:

  1. The cops look good, well up to your usual high standard, but Iceman is somthing else, another crackingly good repaint of a wizkids model, it's great to see how you transform these often uninspiring plastic figs (though to be honest this is one of the better original ones), into something truly inspired.

    (oh god another one I'll have to the list, it getting harder by the day to whittle it down to ten!)

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. You're very kind. I'm really pleased with how the cops are turning out. I've finished the first two and once their shiny buttons are in place they really look nice (imho). Great Bob Murch sculpts. For just a couple of hours patient effort I thought Bobby Drake turned out well too. Glad you like him. Another cracking early "Heroclix" sculpt. Just a pity the recent figures I've bought are so awful... though my eldest doesn't mind as he gets the ones to play with that I don't want :-)

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  2. This was a great entry - perfect for the theme round.

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    1. Cheers Michael. He was certainly a lot of fun to paint and should look good on the table too.

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  3. Iceman was turned out mighty fine. Your white highlights work exceptionally well. You have inspired me to repaint my own Iceman figure. He's the same as yours, just not painted as well!
    I still love those Bob Murch cops!

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    1. Many thanks Bryan. Iceman is a cracking figure to paint and nice and simple too. Glad you're enjoying the Bob Murch WIP cops. Should have plenty finished by Saturday before I concentrate on a few super-heroes for next week.

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  4. Very nice dude! Cops look good too.

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    1. Cheers Bob. The third cop is now finished... five more to go :-)

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  5. Iceman is very well painted, and now reading the work that went into the job I'm even more impressed.

    Those Pulp miniatures are painting up really well and I can see me buying some more (now that they're to be made in the UK) next year. Have you downloaded the free PDF pulp rules from Bob Murch's site? I have, but am yet to look through them.

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    1. Hi Roy. Many thanks. The cops actually come form my second order form Bob, as having got my first load I was so impressed I immediately ordered some more :-) I haven't read the rules myself (I have d/l them) as I plan to use "7TV" for these as I've got the pulp action hero packs to paint as well. I'd be very interested in your thoughts regarding them though when you have a chance to read them.

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  6. The post title made me chuckle.

    Iceman looks great. The colour contrasts on the highlighting really do make him look "icy".

    Those coppers are turning out great as well. Just got done watching the two seasons of "Copper" on Netflix and these uniforms aren't too far from the ones in the series.

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    1. Cheers Dai. "Icy" was exactly the effect I was after. The quote is from Iceman himself though I did cut it down some. The full 'battlecry' was "Stop fighting and make nice! Or Iceman will make ice! Okay lame, I know, but I’m still making you look stupid." I've not seen "Copper" as I'm still playing catch-up with "Arrow" but I'm glad you like the way Bob's sculpts are coming out :-)

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  7. Iceman looks fantastic. Great job on the well armed cops as well.

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    1. Many thanks Simon. Halfway through the cops now and hoping to spend some time finishing off my "Across The Dead Earth" State gang this evening.

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  8. Iceman definitely looks like ice. Great job.

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    1. Much appreciated Finch. I'm very pleased with him and certainly I think he's a vast improvement on the original (non) paintjob :-)

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