HORDE #5 BREAKING 200!

What's occurrin' then?

Zombtober felt a little short this year, with almost a full week left of the month after the final Sunday deadline. Although I've still been painting zombies and survivors, I thought that this was a prime opportunity to catch up with a horde progress report. I hope other participants also take full advantage of this "bonus" time.

The welcome wagon needs to be dragged out of the storage shed. It's been given a wash, oiling and has balloons and streamers added! Why? Well it's a special occasion, my 50th follower! So, as is usual, let's have a big BZA welcome for my latest follower Bullcher Feb. WELCOME BULLCHER! He runs the Waaagghhh! blog, go check it out, it's really good. Buckle up Bullcher this journey is going to take awhile yet!

Amongst all the excitement and stuff, we can't forget the cultural mission. You know the one by now! So with out further ado, I present another great piece by stayinwonderland. Again more of a landscape or panorama, I must say I'm enjoying the change. This picture is entitled Infected zombie RPG artwork #2. Enjoy!

INFECTED #2

My fifth horde update, yes it has been quite a while since the last one. That's down to me making and painting other things to try and get this game off and running. I think it's going to be a little while yet, I appreciate your patience.

I'd completely lost count of how many zombies I'd painted for this project. Well as the title says, I've broken the two hudred barrier. Two hundred and two to be exact. It's great to say that Zombtober helped immensely getting my over that milestone!

Anyway enough gabble, on with the pictures!

THE HORDE IN ALL IT'S GLORY. LOL.

So after taking the group shot, my official photographer then took a few close ups of different parts of the horde.

SOMEWHERE ON THE RIGHT.

Yes, that's an old Heroquest mummy. He was at a Fancy Dress Party on zed day!

SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE.

Below is a selection of crawlers, don't know how many I'll need but there's loads in Rue Morgue.

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE FRONT.

Although there's a lot of repeat sculpts, I hope for now that my different colour schemes are enough to provide diversity. My conversion skills are not the best so for now they will have to do.

SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE AGAIN.

So that's my close to Zombtober, the end of the month at least. It actually feels like I'm getting somewhere. I've so much more left to paint! Half the TCM Toxic zombies, all the Prison Outbreak zombies, Rue Morgue zombies, loads more VIP zombies and  over half the stuff that came as part of the Infected kickstarter box. That's not including the survivors and zombivors! Let's just say, I'll be painting zombies for a fair bit yet.

Wow man! Is TWD ramping it up or what, best season yet!?!

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

FOUR MORE ZOMBIES.

What's occurrin' then?

Pretty shitty week this week at the bunker. I had to have my dog put down on Tuesday. Fucking gutted, I loved that dog. Loads of tears shed. Now I'm gonna have to buy a new guard dog, something big and mean. Like a chihuahua. Still managed a little painting through all the tears.

So let's kick off with the usual piece of zombie art. Still got quite a few of Bryan Baugh's to show you. This great example is a tribute to Return of the Living Dead, and is called Tarman. Enjoy!

TARMAN.

So I got some painting done. These four are again made from the last sprue in the Wargames Factory Survivors : The Men box with the addition of some Studio plastic arms and a head, and some Mantic heads and torsos. Kitbashing rules.

FOUR MORE FOR THE HORDE.

I suppose some introductions are in order. First up, made from WGF body, Studio arms and a Mantic head is Edryd. He looks a little confused about his current situation, must be all the blows to the head. Next in line a zombie child made from WGF body, Studio arms and head. (The head was the right size for a child but the arms are a little long, making him a little ape-ish) Never mind, we'll call him Fychan. Following along, made from WGF legs, Mantic torso, arms and head is Gerallt, who has brought along a nice snack in case he gets peckish. Finally bringing up the rear is an all Mantic crawling/dragging zombie. A prison inmate judging from his garb, know as Harri. Here I come to my first complaint about the Zombicide paints, now maybe it was that I didn't shake the bottle enough (I can't honestly remember), the coverage of the prison jumpsuit orange was piss poor. So I went back to my old OOP GW orange but I did use the jumpsuit shader and liked the effect it left.

OFF THEY GO TO JOIN THE HORDE.

Not much more to say this week. I miss my dog, she was a lovely old girl.

R.I.P. TIA.

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

FIRST ZOMBIES OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!

What's occurrin' then?

Another week has shot by, they seem to be getting faster and faster, or is that just me? Lost more painting time this weekend as the 6 nations invaded once again. Still it was worth it, we beat the Irish putting us back in the hunt for the championship. A magnificent display from our boys.

Right, let's crack on. We shall start  with what has become a regular feature, a piece of zombie art. This week brings another wonderful and weird masterpiece from the superbly talented Bryan Baugh. It's called The Mud People. Enjoy!

THE MUD PEOPLE.

Considering the name of this blog, there hasn't been many zombies painted this year. Well that's about to change, as I present you with the first zombies of the year. These are made from the last sprue in the Wargames Factory survivors box, with the addition of some Studio plastic arms and some Mantic zombie heads.

This is my first proper run with the new Zombicide paints. They seem very good I particularly like the zombie shader and the two blood effects paint. All in all, not a bad result.

FOUR MORE FOR THE HORDE.

So from left to right we have Amlodd, he was a steel worker and member of the National Guard. Next is Baglen, bit of a tearaway and former member of the Cwmbran Massive (local gang). Following Baglen is Cadog a former mechcanic who also loved disco dancing. Last in line is Derwyn a formerly successful buisnessman.

MORE INTEREST THAN NORMAL, CHECK OUT THOSE BRAINS.

There you go then, this years first zombies. Don't worry there's more to come.

So I haven't been just painting, I've done a little shopping too. I picked  this beauty up at a local charity shop for the princely sum of £1. Take off some of the dumb toy stickers, give it a dirty wash and it should be good to go.

EVERYBODY NEEDS A CONCRETE TRUCK IN THE APOCALYPSE.

Just to prove Joe doesn't have the monopoly on tractors, I also got this for the same price. Same deal,  dirty it up and it should look fine. Great for ploughing through zeds.

SOON THESE ZEDS WON'T KNOW WHAT HIT 'EM.

My copy of '68 Scars came this morning, totally making my day, so I have a little bedtime reading for after The Walking Dead. On first glance the art and story still looks excellent.

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

LAST OF THE SURVIVORS FOR NOW.

What's occurrin' then?

A real mixed bag of a week here at the bunker. A little painting, a little shopping, a little reading and a lot of watching rugby. Yes, the Six Nations circus touched down again this weekend (taking up valuable painting time) but at least we beat the French, in their own backyard no less. Cue happy Bob.

Let's continue to inject some much needed culture into the world of zombies with more art. This is another great piece by the man of the moment Bryan Baugh it's called Hot Dirt. Enjoy!

HOT DIRT

You may remember me complaining last post about Amazon's slackness in delivering my goods. Well, it turns out that the enigma that is my son gave them his old payment details, which were out of date. Cue reorder last Sunday. I'm pleased to say that everything has arrived safely.

What was it that you ordered Bob? We can't remember and are too damn idle to look back at last weeks post. Well, let me refresh everyone's memory. The first thing, being so impressed by the Core Set, was the Zombicide Toxic/Prison paint set by Army Painter. The other item was a collected trade paperback comprising the first story arc of the zombie comic '68.

The Zombicide Toxic/Prison paint set has only six colours but is half the price at £10, representing even better value for money than the Core set. All the colours are intended for painting the zombies that come with Toxic City Mall and Prison Outbreak box sets. Although I'm sure I'll use them for other things as well.

NICE LITTLE PAINT SET.

I've only just discovered the zombie comic '68, if you haven't seen it, as a zombie fan I urge you to check it out. It runs with the idea that the events in Night of the Living Dead really happened and shows how the world was affected, in particular the Vietnam War. The first story arc is collected together in a trade paperback called '68 : Better Run Through The Jungle. I'm very impressed, this is a beautiful product and would highly recommend it to any zombie enthusiast. I'm going to get the second trade paperback as soon as I can.

EXCELLENT READ & BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK.

So, we've covered a little shopping and a little reading. Let's move onto a little painting. As the title suggests, these are the last of the survivor type figures that I've made up from the Wargames Factory Apocalypse Survivors : The Men box, I've also made some cops and zombies but these are the last survivor types.

THE FINAL SURVIVORS FOR NOW.

So the line-up this time, first guy is another Studio plastic/Wargames Factory mash up. The similarity to George W. Bush is quite unnerving. I was so short of survivors I had to throw in Crazy Ned from Zombicide season 1. I think I read he's based on Alan Moore, the comic book writer behind some awesome stories such as The Watchmen and V for Vendetta, to name just two. The final guy I decided to make as a very well prepared survivor (or a prepper), so he has just about everything needed to bug out to his well stocked hidey hole. I made the straps for his backpack myself.

AGAIN, PAINT IS STILL BEING APPLIED TO THE BACK OF THEM.

That's it then for the survivors from this box, like I said some cops and zombies to come, then it's time to buy something else. Unless Zombicide : Rue Morgue turns up in the meanwhile.

Right then, it's St Davids day today so we have to go and get the leeks ready, oh and prepare the feast and human sacrifice. DEWI SANT!

That's it for now dudes and dudettes. So until next time try and be more like the DUDE and "take it easy".

THE PLACEBO EFFECT CONTINUES. FOUR MORE SURVIVORS.

What's occurrin' then?

Well, it's been half-term here in the principality and Dad's been in charge of entertainment. After fun days out, where my daughter seems to spend all of my money, we've settled down most nights to play Zombicide. I find because it's a co-operative game, it brings you all together to act as a team, rather than a competetive game which usually ends in sulking, tears or both. Who would have thought that the zombie apocalypse could bring the family closer together.

Let's kick off by attempting to bring a little culture to the world of zombies, with another fine piece of zombie art. This is another great example of Bryan Baugh's amazing work and is called Zombie Slumber Party. Enjoy!

ZOMBIE SLUMBER PARTY.

Well it looks like the placebo effect has lasted at least one more week. I've managed another four survivors, even though it's been half-term. Long may it last, the placebo effect not half-term.

As I type, I'm still waiting on my Zombicide Toxic/Prison paint set by Army Painter. (I'm not impressed Amazon, they were ordered Tuesday night) I liked the core set so much I ordered the next one, to expand my stock of squeezy bottle paints and give me a bigger colour range. Although these have been developed with Toxic City Mall (TCM) and Prison Outbreak (PO) in mind they will work nicely on other figures, be they zombies or survivors, just as well.

At the same time as I ordered the paint set, I also ordered a trade paperback of a zombie comic called '68. It's set the year that Night of the Living Dead came out and runs with the premise that it was a real event. So various places and events through history are affected by the zombie uprising such as the Vietnam War. It sounds like a great idea, unfortunately despite saying it had a 2 to 3 day delivery time, this hasn't turned up either.

Anyway, enough moaning from me, let's get on with the show and tell. Four survivors again this time, looks like I'm on a roll.

LET'S SEE IF THESE GUYS CAN SURVIVE LONGER THAN THE REST.

OK, so the first guy is another Studio plastic zombie torso and legs with WGF arms and head. I gave this dude's guns a little special treatment. In Zombicide there is an equipment/weapon card with a pair of gold plated automatic pistols, these are called the "Evil Twins". This guy's got them. Second dude in line is my final fat guy. If my sculpting was any better he would not be wearing flip-flops, but he does have a grenade launcher. Next fella is another unfortunate desk jockey, again this pose is difficult to change without some major surgery. I just gave him a single handed melee weapon to look different to the others. Final victim, I mean survivor, is another suit with a pistol. These are handy to use as detectives or government agents and others of that ilk.

FATTY'S ARSE IS OUT AGAIN. CAREFUL, I RESEMBLE THAT REMARK!

What I am quite pleased with is my gap filling on the fat guys shoulders, I know you wouldn't have noticed, if I hadn't said anything but to get him to hold that grenade launcher with two hands was a real pain in the arse. Still, it's done now.

I'm almost at the end of my survivors, there's some cops to come and a few zombies made out of the last sprue, but I think I've only got another two or three survivor types left. Time to get me some of them women.

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

FOUR MORE SURVIVORS.

What's occurrin' then?
Now the NFL season is over you'd think I would have more time to paint. Wrong! The Six Nations Championship has started. You see rugby is a bit of a religion in Wales. When I was a nipper nearly every school only played rugby, no football only rugby. It's also our working class sport as opposed to football. So when you grow up with it like that you think it's the most normal thing in the world. It's almost too hard to believe that things are any different in other parts of the country or the world. Now last week we suffered again the embarrassment of losing to the old enemy, England, at home no less. It's hard to express the shame and dejection the nation feels at these times, that's why I didn't mention it. Anyway the games continue this weekend, we are away to Scotland, and another 48 hours is lost worshipping the oval ball, Bacchus and Dionysus.

To get us back on track, we shall continue in our efforts to enhance the cultural aspect of zombies by introducing more zombie art. Once again we have another piece by the amazing and strangely talented Bryan Baugh. This one is called Just Eatin' Some Brains. Enjoy.

JUST EATIN' SOME BRAINS

These new brushes seem to have increased my output this week. I've managed to finish four survivors, the most I've done in some time. Let's hope it's not just a flash in the pan! I have to admit to being mightily impressed by the Zombicide Core Paint Set. Even at the full retail price of £20, for ten bottles, that's still 50p a bottle cheaper than GW. If that's not enough these bottles have 18ml of paint where as the GW pots only have 12ml, you do the maths. I think I'll be picking up the Toxic/Prison set in the next few weeks.

So, on with the show and tell. As I said earlier I managed four survivors this week, three of them are armed with melee weapons for those up close and personal moments.

The dude on the extreme left is another kitbash using a Studio plastic zombie torso and legs, (Thanks once again Bryan.) with WGF survivor arms and head. The next guy along has been converted by cutting the long coat off at the waist, turning it in to a biker jacket, with no sleeves to make him extra tough looking. Another guy in overalls next, really hard to change the pose of this one, so I gave him a different weapon and a well known soft drink (probably worth fighting over after a hard day's slaying). The last dude is another ganger making good in the chaos.

CHOP,CHOP,CHOP.

I'm pretty sure my new kit (brushes and paints) improved my performance this week, even if they didn't, it felt like they did. I believe that's called the placebo effect. So here's hoping the effect continues for the next few weeks, at least.

THE BACKS ARE STILL GETTING A LICK OF PAINT.

In other news, I caught a film that had snuck under my radar. The Last Days On Mars. I thought it was a straight sci-fi movie, to be honest I hadn't really heard anything about it! It's fairly low budget, but doesn't feel like it. There's nothing terribly original here but it is well done.

So basically the plot is, one of the scientists finds an unknown microbe in a rock. This stuff turns people into zombies (Yeah, zombies in space). The rest of the movie is a race for the crew to get off the planet without dying or becoming infected. It was pretty cool, I enjoyed it and think that anyone with an interest in zombies should check it out.

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

A BRUSH CRISIS AND A COUPLE MORE SURVIVORS.

What's occurrin' then?
What a week, what a week. The New England Patriots won the Superbowl against nearly all predictions. I've had my first major crisis of the year, more on that in a bit. Amongst all these distractions I've still managed to paint a couple more survivors.

We'll kick off with what has become a regular feature, the introduction of some zombie art. This beautiful piece is another by the very talented Bryan Baugh and is called Nara and Hazy vs Zombies. It's a tribute to the "Dead @ 17" comic series by Josh Howard. (Was published by Viper Comics, now being published by Image Comics. Yes, the same guys who publish "The Walking Dead".).

NARA AND HAZY VS ZOMBIES.

A crisis at the bunker! Oh yes, as usual though it's all my own fault. I haven't bought any brushes in a while, (read in a while as several years) so the ones I was using had been worn away to virtually nothing. Like a typical man, I ignored the problem hoping it would go away. It didn't. Anyway after struggling along for months on end, wondering why my productivity was steadily decreasing, matters came to a head this week. I finally cracked, threw said brushes against the wall and stopped painting.

It'll be fine, I thought, I just need a few days not painting. Cue several days of clipping and gluing, whilst I assembled more of my plastic survivors. I even dug out my Green Stuff, only for gap filling mind you, my sculpting's worse than my painting and my painting isn't great. Anyway, after I finished several survivors and zombies, it was time to pick up the brushes again. Looking at them with fresh eyes, I could tell they had been pushed beyond the call of duty.

I THINK THESE GUYS HAVE HAD IT.

Time to bite the bullet, I had to buy new ones. Being somewhat miserly, if not downright tight, I really didn't want to go and pay GW's ridiculous prices even though I have a shop not five minutes walk away. Instead I turned to the magic of the interweb, with the help of my daughter of course, 10 minutes later brushes and paints were ordered and en route to the bunker.

Three days later, said items landed. Fine service indeed. What had I ordered you ask, well it's also been quite a while since I bought any paint (don't worry, not as long as the brush thing but some of them seem to be quite solid, no matter how much water I add or how fast I stir) so I treated myself to the "Zombicide Core Paint Set" by Army Painter. They come in fancy squeezy bottles, so they don't dry up. There was even a free brush in the set, BONUS. Oh and a set of fine detail brushes, eight brushes for £7.95, less than a pound a brush. BARGAIN.

SMELL THE NEWNESS.

I guess all that was a round about way of saying, seeing that my brushes didn't arrive until Friday, I've only managed to finish two survivors this weekend.

So without further ado, here they are. The rather dishevelled looking office worker on the left is made from a Studio zombie torso and legs, with Wargames Factory head and arms. While the redneck on the right is all Wargames Factory.

TWO MORE FOR THE GRINDER.

The dude on the left is the first of several such conversions, a good way to make an already good value box set stretch even further. I hope to show more of them next post.

It's my first time trying out paint in a squeezy dropper bottle and I must confess to rather liking them, not much wastage and your paint doesn't dry up as your using it. I think I shall be buying more like this.

ANNOYINGLY OUT OF FOCUS.

As a result of said crisis, things have turned out all new and improved. I like all this stuff I'm finding out, see it only takes me a few years to catch up.

Anyhow, I guess that's all I've got for this time dudes and dudettes. So until the next time, just remember to walk the path of the DUDE, and "take it easy".

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".

ZOMBTOBER 2014 WEEK4

What an awful week! The flu outbreak warning, on my hazard tape decorations, has not been heeded and I find myself a victim. I'm pretty sure the adorable Mrs. K brought this strain of vicious superflu back with her from her last family visit to deepest, darkest Devon. Obviously, in my case it has mutated in to Welsh Man Flu, considered the most virulent and toxic strain of all Man Flu's.

As a result of my incapacitation production has taken a hit. I did manage something, just not as much as I had planned, prepped and almost completed for a Zombtober finale. That being said, every month is zombie month here at BZA so I'm sure you'll see them soon enough.

Right then, enough feeble excuses and on with the show. As has become regular we'll start with the introduction of an example of zombie art.

Another great piece by the outstanding GRIMBRO. I'm pretty sure most of you will recognise Tarman (played by actor and puppeteer Allan Trautman) from the 1985 movie The Return of the Living Dead, directed by Dan O'Bannon.  Allan Trautman made his name as a puppeteer working with Jim Henson and The Muppets.

Next order of business is to welcome some new followers. Time to drag the welcome wagon back out of the storage shed, dust it off and oil the squeaks, to welcome BZA's latest followers. We have three to welcome, so let's get on with it. First in line is Sean, WELCOME SEAN, he runs the Sean's Wargames Corner blog. Go check it out!
Next in line is Hunterpest, WELCOME HUNTERPEST, he runs Project Zeke Miniatures. Nice blog and he sells some cool mini's too.
Lastly, but not least is Roy Williamson. WELCOME ROY, he runs R W Hobby Blog. I think this is Roy aka gingerbhoy, he's had to set up a new blog having run in to technical trouble with his previous one.
Thanks for joining guys, get comfortable because this is going to take a long time.

Now, none of us like to admit to mistakes but it has been brought to my attention that I made a howler last post. It appears that I didn't tell you the zombies names, what an idiot. I would like to address this now.

THE NAMELESS ARE NAMED.

So the zombie in the prison overalls is Govannon and the zombie in the bloodied jeans is called Iwan. Thank you all for not pointing this out and making me feel like a bigger clown than I already do.

Now let's get to this week's feeble offering. Yet again another conversion involving a set of Studio plastic legs and a Mantic torso and arms, the head came from the Mantic Deadzone zombie sprue just to change things up a little.

So without further ado I present my final 2014 Zombtober entry, Pebin.

Hey, at least he's in focus this time.

A LONE STRAGGLER SHAMBLES IN FOR ZOMBTOBER ROLLCALL.

THE FINAL 2014 ZOMBTOBER ZOMBIE SHUFFLES OFF INTO THE SUNSET.

Well it ended with a whimper rather a bang, but it did get me back to painting again. It also introduced me to some like minded bloggers, who I never knew existed till Zombtober, which was great.

Here's hoping to see you all again next year, to see if my love of deadlines has improved (I seriously doubt it!) and my painting's got any better.(I doubt that too).

At BZA a zombie is not just for Zombtober, it's more of a lifestyle choice, so whenever you call in I'm sure there'll be zombies or something related to zombie wargames.

Well, all this excitement has left me exhausted so until next time dudes and dudettes, follow the DUDE'S example and "take it easy".

ZOMBTOBER 2014 WEEK 3 FASHIONABLY LATE.

Late for my own funeral, that's what the adorable Mrs. K always says I'll be. Bless her, she's bloody right though. I'm sure I mentioned last post that time management was not one of my strong points. I just like to pootle too much.
Anyway let's not make too much fuss I'm here now.

As has become the done thing, we'll kick off with an attempt to bring culture to the proceedings. So without further ado, I give you some zombie art.

THE BIG YIN HIMSELF.

Another piece by the excellent zombie artist GRIMBRO. I'm sure some of you dedicated zombiphiles will recognise the titular character Fido. From the 2006 horror-comedy, directed by Andrew Currie. Fido is played by none other than Billy Connolly. I'm now sure we have had enough culture for one post, on to the show and tell.

TWO MORE SHAMBLE IN FOR ZOMBTOBER ROLLCALL.

These two are simple little conversions. The first is a result of having seven torsos and five sets of legs on the Deadzone zombie sprue. I took one of the left over torsos and married it with Mantic fantasy zombie legs. Again to get around the problem of the ragged clothing, I painted it orange to look like a prison overall.

THESE LOOK ANNOYINGLY OUT OF FOCUS.

The second is a Mantic fantasy zombie torso, head and arms together with a Studio plastic set of legs. Cutting the Studio mini in half and cutting the torso to fit after. I have to thank Vampifan for the inspiration for this idea, following one of his recent posts, where he did it to a couple of Zombicide runners. Cheers Dude!

I really don't have anything else this time, dudes and dudettes. So until next time try and be like the DUDE and "take it easy".