MORE SURVIVORS.

What's occurrin' then?
Another week down and more mini's painted. Looks like I'm on a roll.

As has become customary, I would like to present you all with some more zombie art. Another piece by the  extremely talented Bryan Baugh. This piece is called Weeping Grave.

WEEPING GRAVE.

More business to attend to before we get to the fun stuff. The welcome wagon must once again be dragged out of storage, I have another follower. I would like to welcome my latest follower Sam Pate (aka ArabianKnight). So a big BZA welcome goes out to Sam. WELCOME SAM! Sam runs the Wee Blokes blog which you really should check out, it's very good. It even has a dedicated horror section, really cool.

So on with the show. I managed a few more survivors this week, again all from the Wargames Factory Apocalypse Survivors : The Men.

LATEST SURVIVORS DESTINED TO DIE HORRIBLY.

All these were put together as per the box pictures, so no surprises or anything out of the ordinary.
No fancy conversions or kitbashes yet, I'll save that for the second sprue. Although some of these poses maybe a little difficult to alter, I guess I'll just have to improvise.

Still haven't come up with any names or backstories yet, I guess these guys might just end up as generic survivors or even zombie bait... Who knows maybe some of them will make it to named "star" status, we'll have to wait and see.

AS ALWAYS, I PAINT THE BACKS OF THEM. EVEN THE BUILDERS ARSE.

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

A YEAR'S BLOGGING. SOME SURVIVORS.

Well, well, well. I made it to a whole year blogging, I'm astounded, I didn't think things would get this far at the very beginning. But then I wasn't too sure what to expect tbh.

So, what was achieved this year. Not as much as I would have liked but things were set in motion. Like my attempt to bring a little culture to the world of zombies by introducing some art to the proceedings.

On that note I would like to present you with a piece by a different artist this time. This piece is by Bryan Baugh and is called From Soil 2. Enjoy!

FROM SOIL 2

Right then, continuing with what has been achieved. Well I managed to paint 160 zombies and one survivor. I also entered into the world of card modelling, my first foray resulted in the completion of 3 buildings of use and one that was too small a scale.
Other progress on the scenery front came as an experiment using coffee stirrers. Stealing an idea from Zadabak, I made a set of rural fences, which turned out quite well.
That about sums up the year's completed work. I still have loads of W.I.P. lying around.

Resolutions are things I don't tend to do, or even plan too far ahead. I find even the best laid plans rarely survive long when challenged with real life events and issues. What I will say, is that I had some survivors for Crimbo so they are getting painted. Everything else I'll get to in good time.

The response to my weekly nonsense appears to be quite well received, this year my humble little blog has clocked over twelve thousand views and got me some followers, thirty nine to be precise. I'm really not sure what to say except thank you very much. I do know that if it weren't for this, there wouldn't have been any models painted over the last couple of months.( There wasn't that many done but thanks, it got me over my miserable months.)

Well maybe there's a few more miserable months until the sun comes back. Anyhow here's my first three survivors from the Wargames Factory box.

MY FIRST SURVIVORS PREPARE TO TAKE BACK THE STREETS!

Haven't really thought about names or backstories yet, that'll probably be established in the batreps. The middle dude bears more than a passing resemblance to the infamous serial killer Ted Bundy, kinda creepy!

I also thought the guy in the suit could double as a MIB or a Fed etc. The cops in this box will also be pressed into double duty until I can get more of both.

YES, I'M STILL PAINTING THE BACKS OF THEM.

So hopefully this little spurt of productivity will continue and more stuff gets painted over the following weeks.

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

HAPPY NEW YEAR. WHAT I GOT FOR CRIMBO. THANK F#%K THAT'S OVER.

Happy New Year everybody! Just coming round from a fortnight's whisky induced frolics and festivities. Oh and the pagan rituals of force feeding oneself on turkey and chocolate. The human sacrifices where good this year too.

We shall continue in the way that has become custom, by presenting you with another piece of zombie art. Again another piece by the very talented GRIMBRO.

This piece is called Toxic. Again I don't think it's based on a celluloid image.

TOXIC!

I have to show you all what I had for Crimbo. I wasn't expecting much as I had been a naughty boy. Satan Claws out did himself this year though. Firstly my son bought me a lovely warm pair of zombie slippers, they're great. Only one minor problem, they are not suitable for the apocalypse, I'd keep tripping up in them.

YOU PUT YOUR FEET IN THEIR MOUTH!

Then his girlfriend, who's a massive Anime fan, bought me the first season of HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD. I've watched Anime before but never seen this particular series. It was wonderful, great ideas for scenarios and set pieces for gaming. Also great to see how another culture deals with a zombie apocalypse. If you haven't seen it, you should. I mean Japanese school girls in short skirts with katanas killing zombies, what's not to like. Even though it's Anime, the handling of the zombie uprisng is pretty realistic and the character stories are very well done. Now I have to buy season 2 when it comes out.

SCHOOL GIRLS WITH KATANAS KILLING ZOMBIES. AWESOME!

She also got me a book, called Gothic Dreams Zombies. It's pretty cool, giving you a history of zombies in movies, literature and art. It filled a few gaps I had about the zombie mythos but what was really outstanding was the suggested further reading and loads of links to some superb zombie artwork. I guess this means the art "thing" will keep going and will progress beyond my GRIMBRO obsession.

A COOL LITTLE SOURCE BOOK FOR ALL THINGS ZOMBIE.

Then my daughter really came through and surprised me with a box of survivors from Wargames Factory. Wicked! Having had a good look at them, they seem a vast improvement on the zombie horde and even the zombie vixens, which can only be a good thing.

No doubt this means the first couple of months this year will be spent painting survivors. I don't really want to plan any further than that at the moment.

SHINY NEW SURVIVORS!

After the dust has settled from the fallout of a riotous and ridiculous Crimbo, things should get back to at least approaching normal next post. Gulp! That means I've got to get my paintbrushes out of storage and crack on.

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

MERRY CRIMBO!

What's occurrin'.

HAVE A GRIMBRO CRIMBO!!!!!

Another fine piece of work by the fantastically talented GRIMBRO. Only a quick post to allow me to extend yuletide greetings to all my commentors, followers, visitors and lurkers. So, MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL.

Whilst I'm here, I'd also like to welcome my latest follower. Bear with me as I drag the welcome wagon out of storage. Right then, a big BZA welcome goes out to Stephen. WELCOME STEPHEN. If you have a blog Stephen, let me know, I couldn't see one listed for you.

Nothing to see, the adorable Mrs. K has packed away my hobby supplies for a couple of days, so I'm on shutdown. The machine must be lubricated.

Let's hope for peace and positivity in the coming year.
Well, that's all I got for this time dudes and dudettes. So until next time do as the DUDE does and "take it easy".

THE HORDE GROWS #4

What's occurrin' ?

Well, as this is the final month of 2014 and barring some kind of bizarre Christmas miracle, I don't think I'll get to paint anymore zombies this year. So with that in mind I thought it was time for another horde progress report.

Firstly though let's take a look at another piece of zombie art. Yes another piece by the extremely talented GRIMBRO.

This piece is called SAY AAAAAHHHHH! and isn't based on a celluloid image, as far as I'm aware. I'm sure you'll agree that it's still a great example of GRIMBRO'S talent.

I've been chasing my official photographers for these images since last Saturday, so let me take this opportunity to apologise for my tardiness. Still they finally managed to pull fingers out of arses and get them taken and uploaded.

So without further ado, I present my growing horde which now stands at 160 zombies. Hopefully I can add a few more next year.

THE HORDE IN ALL IT'S GORY GLORY.

Now for some close-ups of various and random parts of the greater whole.

RAINBOW HUED CLOTHING.

THE ABOMINATION AMONGST HIS MINIONS.

CHECK OUT THE BEACH BOYS.

WHERE'S WALLY?

HEY! YOU AT THE BACK!

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

A SLIGHTLY BETTER WEEK. ONLY SLIGHTLY.

A better week in terms of production, well slightly. Any how let's start with what has become  a regular feature, another piece of zombie art. I have actually recieved a couple of comments about it, so it can not be falling on deaf ears.

SHE'S STILL HOT! EVEN WITH ALL THE CRAP STICKING OUT OF HER. (OR BECAUSE OF? NOT SURE.)

I'm sure that nearly all of you will recognise Julie Walker (played by Melinda "Mindy" Clarke) from Return of the Living Dead 3 (1993, directed by Bryan Yuzna). Not the best of the franchise but this is a beautiful piece of art.

As many of you will have realised, Christmas is on it's way. This really isn't my favourite time of year (Bah Humbug!). I find it far too stressfull and it gets more expensive every year. (Shut up Ebeneezer!) I find this impacting my mood and my hobby, I just don't want to do anything. This year has been no different, but to have something to post has made me push on with firmly gritted teeth. The results are the zombies from Zombtober are finished. Yay me!

Right let's get on with the introductions. From Left to Right. Just for Mathyoo, a ginger zombie. She's made up from a Deadzone torso, Mantic arms, legs and head, with my last two Space Wolf ponytails to give the male head some girly hair. She'll be called fugly Unig. Next in line is another female zombie, my least favourite sculpt of all the Deadzone zombies. I don't think my paint job helps, she looks like She-Hulk but not as pretty. Her name is Anarawd. Last but not least is another Deadzone soldier painted as a S.W.A.T. officer, who goes by the name of Ynawg.

ZOMBTOBER ZOMBIES FINALLY FINISHED.

I guess that's one thing less on the WIP list, time to crack on with the other things.

THREE MORE ZOMBIES SHUFFLE OFF TO JOIN THE HORDE.

Well I guess that's it for now. So until next time dudes and dudettes, try and follow the DUDE'S teachings and "take it easy".7

VERY SLOWLY BUT SURELY.

Motivation is lacking at the moment people, what to do, what to do.
Well, I have managed a tiny bit of painting, let's get on.

As has become regular, I first would like to present some more zombie art.

BACK IN THE SHED ED.

Yes, it's another fine piece by GRIMBRO. I'm sure all of you will recognise Ed (played by Nick Frost), Shaun's best mate from Shaun of the Dead(2004, directed by Edgar Wright). Wow, ten years already, that's just flown by.

Another job before we get on. It's been brought to my attention that this whimsy of a blog has amassed more than eleven thousand page views. I'm completely flabbergasted by this response and would like to thank you all for taking the time to drop by and check in on the drivel I put out every week. THANKS EVERYONE.

As I mention my motivation seems to be at a low point, so I've really been dragging my arse, painting these two was like pulling teeth. Still now the Autumn Internationals have finished I might get some time on a weekend to paint.

So to the introductions, first we have another guy in scrubs an ODP (Operating Department Practitioner) going by the name of Gwern. Next is someone who was probably a patient of Gwern, he's known as Morddwyd.

Ferrying my official photographer back and for to his placement in Swansea is also taking up a fair chunk of hobby time. For the time being he's sacked and my second official photographer is filling in, at least she crops and enhances her work before uploading it to my blog. Which I think is a vast improvement.

Sorry dudes and dudettes but that's all I've got for this week. So until next time try and do as the DUDE does and "take it easy".

PULLED IN ALL DIRECTIONS.

What's appertaining dudes and dudettes?
I seem to be really busy but not actually finishing anything, hence this post's title.
So let's start with the now customary piece of zombie art.

"WE ARE GOING TO EAT YOU."

Another outstanding piece by GRIMBRO, my current favourite zombie artist. I'm sure most of you will recognise the iconic image from Zombie Flesh Eaters. (1979)(aka Zombie 2) Directed by Lucio Fulci. The "worm-eyed zombie" was played by Ottaviano Dell'Acqua. I first saw this as a "video nasty" back in the day. Not one of my top ten but it's been hailed as an early classic, who am I to argue.

Now I have to drag the welcome wagon back out of storage to welcome my latest follower to BZA. So let's put our hands together and give a big BZA welcome to Four Eyed Monster.WELCOME FOUR EYED MONSTER. F.E.M. runs the "A Journey into the Dark Millennium" blog, I strongly suggest you go check it out. It's very good!

As the title of this post implies I've been a little unfocused in my hobby activities. Now don't get me wrong, I've been doing plenty, just not actually finishing any one thing. That and real life distractions has left me with plenty of WIP. Anyway enough BS and excuses, I'll show you what I've got.

So first we have some scenery WIP, another free download from Model Paper World. This is the Blue Sun Food-a-rama, a small supermarket. No signs or other stuff yet.

BLUE SUN FOOD-A-RAMA

Interior shot of the Food-a-rama, as you can see it's not finished. The tiled floor is a wallpaper sample.(Not glued in yet.)  The ink I was waiting for has had to be put on hold until after Christmas because I finally had to pay for my Zombicide Season 3 kickstarter. So any interior detail will have to wait until then.

INCOMPLETE INTERIOR

Next we have some more WIP fences, nothing too fancy just a foamboard base, bamboo skewers and corrugated card. Oh, and a little silver paint.

SMALL CORRUGATED FENCES

Bigger fences, built the same way as the other's. Weathering, wear and tear and a little attention to the bases should see both of these sets finished.

BIGGER CORRUGATED FENCES

More mesh fencing, taller than the other set (which are still not finished and I forgot to photograph) to go with the derelict warehouse. Gates are next on the list, some broken sections would be a good idea too. I'm sure the zombies will break through eventually.

BIG MESH FENCES

Moving on, we have some WIP zombies, three of these guys were penciled in for Zombtober but never made it. Hoping to get them finished this side of Christmas but that's not a given.

WIP ZOMBIES

Zombicide survivors. As you can see very little progress has been made on these. Not even on the DUDE, for shame.

WIP SURVIVORS

Even the rest of Season 1 survivors are languishing around half painted. Their are also six companion dogs primed and ready to go too. (Yes, I forgot to photograph them as well).

MORE WIP SURVIVORS

Finally, I've cut out a couple of police SUV's just haven't got around to bending and gluing them yet. Did I mention I've busy but not completing any one thing.

WIP SUV'S

So hopefully I can get my act together over the next couple of weeks and finish some of this WIP. I've also have a ton of boxes for filler and pallets to make, when will it stop!

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

RURAL FENCES SET #1 FINISHED

What's occurring then?
Firstly, as has become custom I'll present you with another piece of zombie art. As I try and bring a little culture to the world of zombies.

SWALLOW YOUR SOUL!

Some of you may have noticed that it's another piece by the fabulous GRIMBRO. I know it's not a traditional zombie, she's demonicaly possessed but the Deadites in the later Evil Dead movies are undead. Besides she, sorry, I mean Cheryl (played by Ellen Sandweiss) (in the 1985 original) looks like a zombie, plus it's my blog and I'm saying she counts.

OK, so you may have noticed by the title that this post is about the rural fences I started last post. Well this week I made another half a dozen and then based them all.

I think it's a bit of an improvement so I'm calling this set of fences done.

TRY TO IGNORE THE HUGE FOREGROUND AND POOR LIGHTING.

First of all, I PVA'ed and sanded the matchstick bases. Then I painted and drybrushed the sand. A special mix of flocks was then sprinkled onto more PVA.

GOTTA KEEP THE ZEDS FENCED IN.

To further enhance the rural feel, I then applied some static grass and some of those tuft things. This also helped to cover any gaps that were left after the sand and flocking.

THE FINAL FIELD OF ZEDS.

A bit of news, my official photographer has to go out on placement as part of his university course. This means that my posts will have to be curtailed to once a week, as I will only have his services on the weekends (and use of his stuff). This is only a hitch and the posts will still keep coming.

The final picture below shows all of the fence pieces, just to prove I made a dozen.

AGAIN PLEASE EXCUSE THE POOR LIGHTING AND ENORMOUS FOREGROUND.

Well that's all I got for this time, so 'til next time do as the DUDE does and "take it easy".

DON'T FENCE ME IN.

Wow, time flies when your unwell and spend a couple of days in bed. Still not feeling 100%, but a little better than I was. Haven't done too much hobby stuff this week, mainly R&R, but I have managed something.

To start us off we have another piece of zombie art, the latest attempt to bring some culture to this most uncultured blog. It's also the latest instalment in my GRIMBRO obsession.

YOU'VE GOTTA LOVE A ZOMBIE CLOWN.

Eagle-eyed viewers will recognise the zombie clown from the closing scenes of Zombieland. Columbus, one of the main protagonists, had a fear of clowns so there just had to be a zombie clown during the finalè. The zombie clown was played by Derek Graf.

It has been brought to my attention that since my last post, this humble little blog has passed 10,000 pageviews. To say I'm amazed at this news would be a massive understatement. A massive THANKS goes out to all of you who take the time to check in on my weekly output of nonsense.

It would appear that the welcome wagon needs to be brought out of storage again, to welcome my latest follower Stephen. So a big BZA welcome must go out to him. WELCOME STEPHEN. Grab a seat, get comfortable this is taking ages.

OK, so what have I done since last time. Well to be honest, only a little but I have been ill. I have to wait until payday next week to buy more ink to printout more card/paper scenery, so while twiddling my thumbs I had a bolt of inspiration, fences to go with said buildings.

ATZ, has 3 different settings. Rural, urban and suburban. So I figured that each setting would need different styles of scenery. This lead to a little brainstorming and research. Lo and behold, I came across the perfect rural fences on a fellow blogger's blog, Zadabak's Zombieworld provided the template of the look I was after, so I stole the idea.

A BIG THANKS TO JOE. CHEERS!

I used Joe's excellent post as a starting point but needed my fences to be truly free standing, without the corner pieces. I managed to find lolly sticks 10mm smaller than the 120mm fence lengths, using these and matchsticks, I cobbled together a basing system for the individual fence panels. I then covered the raw wood with an old oop GW product, Flesh Wash, an ink based pigment which stained rather than painted the fences. Alas my bright idea was undone, where the PVA had done it's job it prevented the ink staining properly. This was remedied by the application of very dark brown paint, GW Rhinox Hide.

I MADE HALF A DOZEN.

More urban fences were made with bamboo skewers and a mesh product used for rendering and plastering. Using foamboard as a base and very fine fuse wire to tie the mesh to the skewer poles. They were then sprayed with metallic silver paint and distressed with a chestnut ink to simulate rust.

LET'S HOPE THE FENCES HOLD OUT A LITTLE LONGER.

During my R&R I had a chance to catch up with some zombie movies that I hadn't seen. Namely Cockneys vs Zombies, The Dead, [REC] 3: Genesis and a re-watch of Planet Terror. Not a bad way to spend an illness.

I ONLY MADE FOUR FOR NOW!

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