Tuesday 6 August 2019

“The Robot Has Demolished Most Of The Shopping Mall..."

"It's shrugged off everything the police throw at it!"
This 43mm tall plastic “Wizkids” model of a Carnage Bot is miniature number 011 from The Lab “Horrorclix” expansion set, and depicts Pandora Labs’ rogue robot just as its heading towards a High School. Released in January 2007 as part of an initial 96 figure-strong expansion set with “a sci-fi/horror theme”, this miniature was a most welcome gift from Bryan Scott of “Vampifan’s World Of The Undead” blog fame.

Removed from its 'clicky-base' and subsequently super-glued on to a lipped 40mm circular stand, I actually decided to use this particular automaton as something of an experimental piece by priming it with two layers of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna rather than my usual “Abaddon Black”. I then simply gave it a heavy-brush of “Citadel” Ironbreaker and darkened the ensemble with a generous splash of Nuln Oil to blend its rusty palette together.
"Mantic Games" WIPs - Three of the Prisoners primed from "The Walking Dead: Call To Arms" Booster Pack
As I plan to use this homicidal machine for my “Gamma World” gaming as a maniacal wanderer of the post-apocalyptic wasteland with corrupted logic circuits, I applied a second (lighter) dry-brush of “Citadel” Ironbreaker over the robot and later brazenly dabbed some “Mig Productions” Extreme Rust Wash all over the multi-tentacled figure. This “extra touch of realism and accuracy” was ‘toned’ down with a third dry-brush of “Citadel” Ironbreaker, whilst a sporadic wash of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade helped dull down much of the automaton’s inappropriate shininess.

Lastly, I ‘picked out’ the Carnage Bot’s somewhat bulbous eye-piece with a layer of “Vallejo” Heavy Red and a dash of “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson. I also contemplated adding some additional colour to the model’s torso by painting its rear gas canister a dirty green. But having laid down a coat of “Citadel” Abaddon Black over the piece of junk, I decided to simply apply a smidgeon more “Mig Productions” Extreme Rust Wash to it, and leave the miniature resplendent in all its decaying glory…
"Star Trek Adventures" WIPs - Three Borg from the "Modiphius Entertainment" Collective set
Having throughly enjoyed my recent play-through of “The Walking Dead: Call To Arms” by “Mantic Games”, I have decided to dip my toe into this “walker-infested world” by pigmenting the plastic Survivor models found within the game’s Prisoner Booster Pack. These inmates of the Meriwether County Correctional Facility who survived the outbreak actually total 140 points including their two equipment cards, so in order to field them in the future I need to either add an extra 10 points worth of guns, knives and baseball bats, or simply find a reasonably priced additional (neutral) member for the team.

Finally, I have settled upon a painting scheme which I hope will help me quickly finish the incredibly detailed Borg Collective miniatures manufactured by “Modiphius Entertainment” for their “Star Trek Adventures” game. The current recipe will consist of an “Abaddon Black” undercoat, followed by a strong dry-brush of “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal, significantly lighter dry-brush of “Citadel” Ironbreaker and some Nuln Oil shading. Hopefully this will then let me simply ‘pick out’ all the grey(ish) flesh, body plating, weaponry and light-emitting diodes.

18 comments:

  1. Great work on the Carnage Bot Simon, the extra rust areas add to the model and your back story. Shall be interested to see how the Walking Dead models paint up as the one on the right seems very soft in the facial detail. Great start on the Borg, are you going to mix the flesh tones or use an existing paint ?

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    1. Thanks very much indeed, Dave. I love a good rust effect as well you know. I too am a bit concerned as to the softness of Axel's miniature. I plan on simply using "Vallejo" Bluegrey as a basecoat for the Borg, probably followed by a watered down "Citadel" Nuln Oil wash and see how that turns out.

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  2. I'm loving them all, Simon. I instantly recognised the Carnage Bot. Your rusty paint job works really well. I'm always pleased to see TWD figures on show. I've decided I will buy the "Call to Arms" rules after all.

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    1. Cheers Bryan, and thanks for the Carnage Bot. Finally got him painted!! I'm certainly enjoying the "TWD" minis currently, so look forward to hearing your thoughts as to the "Call To Arms" rules.

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  3. The robot is ace! A lot of stages to get that splendid result but well worth it. Good stuff! I love Mantics TWD range. I think they are a joy to paint so I can't wait to see what you do with them. Those Borg look nice to. Great post.

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    1. Cheers Undercoat. Its good to get the Robot finished at long last, and I'm hoping to keep the "TWD" and "Star Trek" momentum going for some time yet.

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  4. Those three were found in the prison in the comics. The leftmost bespectacled chap was a particularly horrible character if memory serves correct.

    The Bot looks smashing. Not seen that sculpt before, but it's packed with interesting detail and your painting makes it even cooler.

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    1. Well recognised, Dai, Thomas Richards was indeed a psychopath in the comic book series and committed some foul murders before before killed by Maggie... and later eaten by Zombies (as I recall).

      Glad you like the robot. I'm always a sucker for an opportunity to paint something as a rusty relic :-)

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  5. I just love the manic robot, I not sure my Jawas would be able to cope with that one!

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    1. Thanks Michael. I entirely agree that it would eat a handful of Jawas up for breakfast!! LOL!!

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  6. Lovely work on the robot its a dangerous looking one!

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    1. Cheers Simon. I just wish I could get a couple more of them, but these days "Horrorclix" minis are rare indeed.

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  7. What a wonderful selection of figures, allof which I really like; great work on the robot - usperb weathering, rust and detailing.
    The "walking dead figures are great too, had I not have too many survivors and zeds already, I'd have gone for these great looking figures too.
    The Borg are probably one of my favourite Star Trek humanoid groups and I'llbe looking forward to see what you do with these too.

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    1. Thank you most kindly, Joe. I'm hoping to get most of my "Walking Dead" faction finished over the next fortnight, and certainly start breaking the back of both the Borg and Romulans too.

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  8. That Carnage bot is fantastic, he's got a bit of a post-apocalypse vibe to him. How tall is he?
    Can't wait to see these Borg all painted up too.

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    1. Cheers Wouter. The Carnage Bot is 43mm tall. Three of the Borg are now finished with the other seven being progressed :-)

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