ZOMBTOBER 2015 WEEK #3

What's occurrin' then?

Zombtober seems to be progressing smoothly here at the bunker, which is news in itself. After a rocky start, I seem to have settled into a steady rythm, not back to the production levels of last year but it's certainly a step in the right direction.

Our cultural mission, whilst continuing, has come to a turning point. This is the final piece of the magnificent Bryan Baugh's work I'm going to show you. Yes, it's sad but this leaves us room to discover other amazing artists working in the zombie genre. As a farewell, this example has not one but two of Bryan's damsels in distress. Although the girl with the axe doesn't look too distressed. This is another tribute to Dead at 17. Enjoy!

Knockout rugby started this weekend. Wales into the quarter finals against South Africa. After an epic encounter we unfortunately came up short. Yet another defeat to a southern hemisphere team. Arse! At least we weren't alone.

Wasn't sure what to paint this week, so I had a good rummage through my Zombicide season 3 kickstarter. I didn't want to paint another survivor but there was plenty of zombies to choose from. I finally selected some of the seeker zombies from the Angry Neighbours expansion.

Haven't used these guys in anger yet, their rules seem rather interesting, basically when a seeker card is drawn all the seeker zombies on the board get an extra move. Thankfully it's only one action, but several cards in a row could potentially see these guys motor around the board. Another interesting tactical wrinkle!

SEEKERS ARRIVE!

The seeker zombies look a little more animated and ragged than some of the zombies we've seen in the Zombicide range. I think it has something to do with their special role and the amount of time after the initial outbreak.

SEEKERS LEAVE!

I also picked out Elvis, or at least an Elvis impersonator. He's another V.I.P zombie, in this case though I think he was a kickstarter exclusive. As is usual he's a chubby "Vegas" Elvis, in a spangly jumpsuit.

I'M ALL SHOOK UP!

Every year in sunny Porthcawl, they hold an Elvis competition to determine the best Elvis impersonator. Competitors come from all over the world to take part.

My town has it's own enterant. He's been rather successful, having won the best Welsh Elvis three years running and has now qualified to enter the European competition.

So all that means I guess, is that this is my representation of Darren "Graceland" Jones. He did a promotional video for our local council back last winter called "In the depot", set to the tune of "In the ghetto". It's priceless and can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6UerjFCLdI

ELVIS IS LEAVING THE BUILDING!

Now it's time to drag the old welcome wagon back out of storage. It needs dusting and oiling. I urge you all to put your hands together and offer up a big BZA welcome to my latest follower Dai Dead. WELCOME DAI! Can't find a blog for you Dai, let me know if you have one. Buckle up the journey's taking a while.

Well, I guess that's all I got for this time dudes and dudettes. So until next time, try and do as the DUDE does and "take it easy".

ZOMBTOBER 2015 WEEK # 2.

What's occurrin' then?

After last week's drama, this week was pretty calm. I even managed to pick my pace up a little. Painting a survivor last time, just didn't sit right with me. This is called Zombtober after all, so back into my comfort zone, zombies it is!

I've finally re-watched the final two episodes of The Walking Dead. Season #5, in preparation for tomorrow's airing of Season #6. Episode 1. Anyone else as excited as I am? They are even showing the companion show, where they talk about the episode. I'm pretty sure it's called Talking Dead. We'll see how that goes too I guess.

Apart from TV, we are learning a little more about zombie art again We must remember the cultural mission we are currently on. So to that end I present you with another piece by the insanely talented Bryan Baugh. More monochromatic madness! Also featuring one his trademark damsel's in distress, almost sensibly dressed too. This lovely piece is entitled Cobweb Cave. Enjoy!

Well the rugby didn't go the way we wanted it to against the Aussies, at least they didn't score a try against us. I can take some comfort from that. Although we now have a ridiculously hard route to the final. We just have to beat the Springboks then the All Blacks to make it. A hard road indeed.

As I said, I picked my pace up a little this week. From a scrambled and last minute lone survivor, I managed to paint a relatively stress free three zombies. These zombies struck me as members of the late seventies, disco group Village People. These guys must have eaten the others, the cowboy and indian included. It made me smile, so I couldn't resist the reference.

DISCO FEVER IS OBVIOUSLY CONTAGIOUS.

Glorious sunshine, so we ventured up top to the outside world to take advantage of some natural lighting. A nice change from my usual dim yellow glow set up. If you squint a bit, they are even making the shapes M, C and A. The dance moves from their most famous hit Y.M.C.A. Hilarious!

SHAKE YOUR DISCO BOOTY!

All these guys come from the VIP #2 box, which isn't out for sale yet but I got these as part of the Zombicide season 3 kickstarter. Result!

There has been a really good response to Zombtober this year. It's been great to see everyone's work. And it's nice to see the infection growing with a few new participants.

Well, I guess that's all I got for this time dudes and dudettes. So until next time try and be more like the DUDE and "take it easy".

ZOMBTOBER 2015 WEEK #1. LATE AS USUAL!

What's occurrin' then?

These last few months I've really been struggling for motivation. To try and remedy this I've spent the last week watching all five series of The Walking Dead in preparation for the upcoming sixth season. It seems to have worked, I've actually picked up a paintbrush and started to flick paint onto mini's again. Look, I know they're late, but I got a really good excuse. Honest!

Even with all the excitement of Zombtober, we must not forget our usual cultural enrichment.  I hope your all enjoying the experience as much as I am. Another amazing piece of Bryan Baugh's work again this time. This fine work is called Blasted Zombie. Enjoy!

The Rugby World Cup is simmering nicely, we beat Fiji on Thursday, leaving us three wins from three games. Can't fault the boys at the moment. I must offer my commiserations to any England fans reading. I'll leave it at that!

Right then, about this good excuse. Well, my dog ate it! No honest! I've got a picture and everything. I'm sure your all thinking this is just a bad joke, where's the punchline. Sorry, but it's the truth. I'll direct your attention to the picture below, see evidence.

In the above photograph you'll notice that it wasn't the only casualty of my delinquent puppies mad rampage. Firstly we have my first week's entry, studiously and very carefully painted on Saturday. It was not in this condition when I went to bed Saturday night to dream of a Zombtober entry on time for once. Look back, you'll see what I mean! Even more disturbing is the pile of pieces next to it. This was formerly Mitch, a Zombicide survivor, came in a box of four figures, him, Uncle Honk and their zombivor's. My son bought me that!
Ffs! That's not including the bases and fences.

I remained surprisingly calm, given the situation that I awoke to Sunday morning. I swore for the rest of the morning, but only loudly for about two minutes, trust me, that's a result. She is only eight months old after all.

What was I to do? Luckily, I had been painting three figures, well I say painting, I'd basecoated three figures. You've already seen two of them.So instead of a nice relaxing Sunday just putting the final touches to the figure I'd painted the day before, posting it, then reading everybody's blog, who had entered this years event with a nice cup of coffee. It was spent madly painting the fellow below.

CLEETUS! I REALLY MUST START PAINTING EYES.

CLEETUS'S ASS!

He was painted yesterday but it was late and my official photographer was getting her beauty sleep. Nothing is worth rousing her mid-slumber, so I had to wait until  today.

I said he, how rude of me! His name is Cleetus, he's got that slack jawed mouth breather thing going on, he could be a survivor or a gang member. For now he's on his own, so he's a survivor!

Let's hope there's less drama next week.

Before I forget, it's time to drag the welcome wagon back out of storage to welcome my latest follower. So give a a big BZA welcome to da Grobbo Groto. WELCOME DA GROBBO GROTO. Strap yourself in this is becoming quite a long journey.

Well, I guess that's all I got for this time dudes and dudettes. So until next time, I urge you to be more like the DUDE and "take it easy".

A LITTLE MORE CARD MODELLING.

What's occurrin' then?

I mentioned last post that the Rugby World Cup might have an impact on my hobby time. Well, it has but I wanted to at least get another post in this month. To this end I've managed to complete a little card modelling, mostly done at half times and between games.

Even though there's a major distraction, we can't let that derail the cultural mission. This time I present you with another masterpiece by Bryan Baugh. Not many more examples of his work left to show now. This fine example is called Drippy Zombie. Enjoy!

DRIPPY ZOMBIE!

Like I said just a little card modelling completed around some of the fantastic games this Rugby World Cup has provided. It's mostly boxes for set dressing and interior detailing. All the boxes came from Model Paper World, they are designed by the infamous TommyGun and are free to download. The car and dumpster can be found at the Combat Storm website, again these are free downloads.

LOTS OF BOXES!

I'm trying to use as many free downloads as I can find to cover my playing area, the two sites mentioned above have some great stuff available and have given me a good start in this venture. Some of the smaller stuff can be really fiddly especially when you've got great big shovels for hands and massive sausage fingers like me. To this end I found those little elastic bands, the ones all the kids were playing with (loom bands), invaluable for holding these together whilst the glue dried.

I was shooting for a Sunday post last weekend but a certain fantastic win at Twickenham and the following celebrations put paid to that. I'd just like to wish the boys all the best for the game against Fiji tomorrow.

The beginning of October tomorrow, the official start of Zombtober. This is going to be only my second one, but last year was pretty cool and it was great to see everyone's work and connect with some like minded bloggers. It's growing into quite a "thing".

So I'd better get the cobwebs off my brushes and my thumb outta my ass, it's painting time. Hopefully Zombtober will provide the impetus to get my pitiful painting progress back on track. I'm really looking forward to seeing everbody's work.

Well, that's all I got for this time dudes and dudettes. So until next time try and take a leaf out of the DUDE'S book and "take it easy".

CARD COP CAR AND NEW MINI'S

What's occurrin' then?

Still can't seem to get my arse into gear on the painting front. Suffering from a real lack of motivation and enthusiasm. Just can't shake off this fugue, it's starting to piss me off too. I have managed a little printing and card modelling, so I guess that's better than nothing at all. Luckily the WNI (Wednesday Night Irregulars) continue to show up, so I'm still gaming every week, Zombicide mainly. Although once a month we play Dead of Winter for a change of pace. I even tried some retail therapy to lift my spirits but to no avail.

Despite my trials and woes the cultural mission must continue. I endeavour to bring you all some zombie art every post in the faint hope that some culture sticks, not just to you but to me as well. I think we all need to be more cultured, it will make us more rounded individuals. Once again I present to you another fantastic piece from the incredibly talented Bryan Baugh. It's a tribute to the movie The Beyond. Wonderful tonal piece. Great movie. Enjoy!

So instead of painted figures, I'm going to show you Crow Valley Sherriff's Dept first patrol car. I found these on the Inkjet_Paper_Scissors blogspot, they were designed by Grendel's Mother and are free to download. My first real go at a card vehicle so it's a bit shit really, I can only hope to improve. Well it could hardly get any worse.

It's not quite finished yet, still needs it's roof lights, but hey!

SHANE AND THE BOYS CHECK OUT THEIR NEW RIDE.

As can be seen in the above photo' I've also printed out Andy's Gun Works, based on the gun shop from the Dawn of the Dead remake. I've only stuck it onto foamcore so far, yet another project to be completed. It's available to download for free from Model Paper World. There's a lot to see on that site most of it is designed by Tommygun.

Tommygun has designed loads of modern buildings and scatter terrain, like boxes and cases and such. All very useful and free to download.

I mentioned that I'd even tried retail therapy. Spending a little more of my birthday money, I placed an order with Westwind Productions. They carry a modern horror line called Roadkill. A pack of four figures costs £6.50, less than £1.70 a figure, I can live with that.

This first pack is called Rednecks/Militia and they evoke the good ole boy / hillbilly vibe I'm looking for. I'm no expert on weapons but they have a couple of shotguns and a couple of assault rifles between them. Oh, and a four pack of beer. What! Zombie killing's thirsty work! Like I said, just the vibe I'm looking for.

SOME REDNECKS OUT A HUNTIN'

The rednecks are my first foray into the gangs that can be encountered during play. I told you this was going to take a while.

The second pack is another small force of cops, these have different style uniforms to the Crow Valley Sheriff Department. The flashlight is a nice touch. I also liked the fact they are only armed with pistols.

ANOTHER FORCE OF POLICE.

Even these shiny new models have failed to get me to lift my brush in anger. I really have got to get my shit together.

The Rugby World Cup kicks off this Friday, that just might impinge on my painting time. So the last few months of poor productivity looks set to continue at least for one more anyway.

Well, I guess that's all I got for this time dudes and dudettes. So until next time, try and do as the DUDE does and "take it easy".

A W.I.P. POST

What's occurrin' then?

What's this weather all about then? The humidity is killing me, I haven't left the fan's area of effect for several days at a time. Sleep? Your having a laugh! Way too hot and sticky at night to sleep.
Due to the sleep/weather situation my weeks productivity is way down, that's even comparing it to the last couple of months' pitiful output.

Enough moaning and on with the mission. You know, the culture thing. Once again another offering from the insanely talented Bryan Baugh. This one is called Ribcage Guts. Enjoy!

My enthusiasm as well as my productivity is at a real low point at the moment. I really can't be arsed to pick up a brush, or stick anything together, or even print out more buildings. So I haven't got much to show you all except these W.I.P. photo's. Better than nothing, eh!?!

STREET WALKING TOXIC WALKERS.

Proving to be a real slog are the Toxic zombies, I don't know why, I was really enjoying painting them at the start. I seem to get this feeling every year, just after my birthday. It must be a reaction to getting old.

The ladies below have been in this condition for months, the last of my Zombicide season 1 to finish off, yet I can't seem to get them completed. The DUDE will make an appearance shortly as well, although I seem to be hitting a wall with him too. Mitch is going to be painted by my son, allegedly. He's got undercoat at least.

MORE WIP ZOMBICIDE HEROES.

What about ATZ? I'm still slowly getting stuff together for that. Having a stab at making some P.E.F. (Potential Enemy Force) markers, using these old Heroquest skeletons. Grim reaper and all that!

From left to right is my painting progression. Using the Army Painter Zombicide paints. First one is painted Boney Spikes. Next one is overbrushed Zombie Skin. Third one is drybrushed Brainmatter Beige. Finally washed with Zombie Shade and typically I broke the blade off the scythe just as it was finished!

SOME P.E.F. MARKERS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

Using some of my birthday money, I managed to recruit two more members for the Crow Valley Sheriff's Department. These are both by Reaper, from the Chronoscope line. On the right is Sheriff Joe Don Mitchel and to the left is Deputy Wayne Tisdale. Their names not mine.

These are my first ever Reaper miniatures, I must say I'm quite impressed. Although the bases they came with were not my bag. At £4.50 each they are not the cheapest mini's on the market, but they are very good quality and no where near as expensive GW single metal mini's.

They'll be painted up in the same colours as Shane and the gang, finishing off my small town's local police force. Now I just need to find them some budget transport.

CROW VALLEY SHERIFF'S DEPT LATEST RECRUITS.

Let's hope I can get another post in before the end of the month. Maybe even finish that bloody shed, don't hold your breath though.

Well I guess that's all I got for this time dudes and dudettes. So until next time, you should all try and follow the DUDE'S example and "take it easy".

TOXIC WALKERS # 3

What's occurrin' then?

Well it seems that the summer holidays are well and truly here. My daughter has been finished for several weeks (it feels like months, she can be very demanding). Now, my son is home from university for six weeks. Let the chaos reign! Hobby time will probably be curtailed as I attempt to entertain the little darlings.

I had to take a breather from the storage shed, more on that next time, and paint some mini's. It's been over a month since I painted a figure! Where the fuck does the time go? (I know, entropy and decay. It was rhetorical.)

OK, so on with the cultural mission. Another great piece by Bryan Baugh. More monochromatic goodness this time, with a lovely damsel in distress again. This one's called Cosmic Zombie. Enjoy!

Yeah, over a month since I painted a figure, not good enough really. I'll never finish at this rate. A little rusty too, my standards are dropping by the day. Still got some done the last few days.

These are the first of the female Toxic walkers, nothing much to say about them, straight out of the box. So no conversions but the sculpts are quite nice as they are.

FIRST OF THE TOXIC LADIES.

I guess some introductions are in order. So from left to right as usual. First up, she was working as a waitress at a cocktail bar, it's Adyna. Next in line, a car rental receptionist, Cordelia. Following her, primary school teacher Sioned. Finally, for this time, we have Mab. She's a barmaid.

Again, I've edged the bases in bright green to denote them as Toxic zombies.

TOXIC LADIES FROM BEHIND.

My posting seems to be all over the shop at the moment, so a concerted effort will be made to get things back on track. If the summer holidays allow that is!

No real news in other areas either. At least the WNI(Wednesday Night Irregulars) are gathering again this evening to save the world from the zombie menace. Best go put the kettle on!

Well, I guess that's all I got for now dudes and dudettes. So until next time, try and be more like the DUDE and "take it easy".

THE SAGA OF THE SHED CONTINUES AND VISITORS TO THE BUNKER.

What's occurrin' then?

Well to be fair, not that much hobbywise. Last week seemed to fly by in a succession of visits/reunions. Firstly at our weekly WNI (Wednesday Night Irregulars) session, we had a visit from an old team mate and prolific gamer. Let's call him The Baron (named changed to protect the innocent). The Baron  and I, along with Sheldon and Morph all played American Football together, it was for a proper team and everything. It was also a long time ago and I hadn't really seen The Baron since. On Thursday another surprise visitor, Northern Lighter Thief (Again name changed to protect the innocent). NLT from now on. Hadn't seen NLT since the heady days of Morph's Garage and 40K. Several years ago now. Still a tremendous amount of fun was had.

Before we get distracted by all the rose coloured nostalgia, let's get back to the business at hand. That business being the promotion and appreciation of zombie art and artists. Yes, the cultural mission. So again another really nice piece from the extraordinarely talented Bryan Baugh! I know that some of my viewers particularly like his damsels in distress. This one is called Half and Half Horror. Enjoy!

Anyway, The Baron came along to play Zombicide and he brought beer and snacks. Along with the zombie slaying, we managed a few beers and talked about our long gone glory days. Great fun was had by all, except Morph, who had to be home in bed by ten. Lightweight!
So The Baron agreed to join our ragtag band of survivors and become an irregular attendee at WNI. Result!

Thursday, as mentioned a visit from NLT. Upon mentioning gaming the previous night and large amount of fun involved, NLT quickly said that he would call in on a Wednesday in future. Wow, another or should I say returning irregular. I'm not holding my breath on this one though, NLT has been known to be unreliable more often than not. Plus he didn't say which Wednesday.

Friday didn't get any quieter. Just sitting down to dinner, phone call from The Tollman. It was time to pay my toll, he needed a lift to Barry (Home of the comedy Gavin and Stacey) to pick up his new transport. So a few hours on a mission of mercy. Just think of all the karma points man.

In spite of all the merriment taking place at the bunker, I 've managed to progress a little more with the shed. The making of which is turning into a saga all of it's own.

And there I arrive at a problem. Photo's need taking but my official photographer is away visiting a friend. She doesn't get home till the early hours of Tuesday morning. So no photo's on time or photo's and a couple of days late.

So obviously waited until my official photographer had enough "princess" time, before she could take them. Anyway they are done now.

So let the saga continue. Firstly we have a shot of the front. For some strange notion I thought that painting the door seperately was a good idea. It's not.

FRONTAGE AFTER DRYBRUSHING.

I was totally wrong last time, it was basecoated with Chocolate Suede, not Cozy Cocoon. I followed  the basecoat with a heavy brybrush of Cozy Cocoon.Then a lighter drybrush of Oatmeal (Wilko tester pot 75p.). I made up a wash from various dark colours and inks, then heavily diluted, I slapped it all over the building. Inside and out.

LEFT SIDE. VERY BORING.

Maybe some posters will brighten up the big flat surfaces. Or some blood.

RIGHT SIDE. EQUALLY BORING BUT A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COLOUR IT SEEMS.

 I quite like the irregular staining from the wash, makes it more natural I feel.

A SLIGHTLY MORE INTERESTING BACK VIEW.

The interior was washed with the same mixture. Bringing out some detail and leaving behind some more irregular staining.

INTERIOR SHOT. BACK WALL.

A little blood splash to match similar patterns on the floorboards. More wash.

CLOSE UP OF THE BACK CORNER.

Remember the drag marks, well now they end somewhere, or is it start somewhere.

INTERIOR IN SITU WITH FLOORBOARDS.

Still needs the doors painting and window mesh coloured. Gluing to the base, basing, it goes on. It seems the shed saga will continue for a little while longer.

FRONT ELEVATION.

Bugger, just realised I haven't done the bloody roof yet.

Well, it seems like that's all I got this time dudes and dudettes. So until next time, follow the DUDE'S example and "take it easy".

MORE SHED WIP.

What's occurrin' then?!

A bit more progress on the storage shed this week. It's been bloody hot mind. So warm and humid at night I haven't been getting to sleep until well past 3 a.m. Despite my lack of sleep, perhaps because of, I've managed to drag the shed nearer completion. The southern hemisphere's rugby championship kicked off this weekend, something else to dent my dreamtime.

The cultural mission rumbles ever onward. More art from the extremely talented Bryan Baugh. Another amazing monochromatic example from Mr  Baugh. This piece is entitled Soggy Dead. Enjoy!

SOGGY DEAD.

So first of all, I had to paint the floor. Much easier to do before the walls were glued down, of course. The raw wood was given a coat of Chestnut Ink, then some Dark Green Ink and some Purple Ink where added for a little detail.

BASECOATED WITH INKS.

Wow, too shiny! Had to knock it back a little, so gave it a drybrush of Bestial Brown. This really wasn't the look I was after, change of direction coming.

OOPS! THAT LOOKS AWFUL.

To try and save it, I went lighter and less glossy. A heavy drybrush of Oatmeal emulsion (75p from Wilko's) saved the day and my blushes.

GETTING BACK ON TRACK.

To add a little more interest, I drybrushed Magnolia emulsion onto the "heavy traffic" areas (again 75p tester pot from Wilko's). This made things look a little less flat, well, I thought so anyway.

HEAVY TRAFFIC AREAS DEFINED.

As a final touch, some blood splashes and stains were added to break things up a bit and bring a little (un)life to the piece.

BIT OF BLOOD AND SUCH, TO MAKE IT GNARLY.

That's it for the floor. Moving on to the interior walls, they got a good coat of Oatmeal emulsion. I was trying to keep the inside as light as possible. This was then drybrushed with Magnolia emulsion, this stage may need to be repeated.

As for the exterior, more emulsion, this was Cozy Cocoon (I think!?). A few coats of drybrushing with lighter tones and the job should be a good 'un. Some creative staining may also be called for.

The interior is also looking a smidge too pristine, something will have to be done about that.

A shot to show the walls in situ with the flooring. Hopefully, another week and this thing should be finished. But don't hold your breath!

In other news, Z-nation starts at 10pm, 21st of July (Tuesday) on Pick. Really looking forward to it, another take on the zombie apocalypse, what's not to like.

Well, I guess that's all I got for this time dudes and dudettes. So until next time try and follow the DUDE'S example and "take it easy".