Thursday 17 March 2016

Whoops Apocalypse!

So we have arrived at the final bonus round of the 'VI Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge’ - a Gambler or Risk-Taker. Again, unsure where to begin, I went delving into the lead pile, knowing that I had some splendid Post Apocalyptic miniatures that needed attention in the shape of Westphalia’s ‘Wasteland Survivors'. Another seamlessly run Kickstarter, these miniatures were just too good to be left languishing in the paint queue any longer.
With a clear nod to some of the denizens of the Mad Max film franchise, this is a wonderfully sculpted set of miniatures. As with my previous experience of 'Westfalia Miniatures' the quality of the casting is top notch and they needed very little in the way of preparation. In fact the only slight concern was attaching 'Cruiser' to 'Bruiser' and in retrospect, I have clearly pinned the little chap too far down the big chap's back!
I thoroughly enjoyed working on these, but I have to say that they were the hardest things I have had to paint in ages. Trying to get a feel of dirty or damaged clothing along with a predominance of black saw me use an inordinate amount of different paints and colours, often working on one miniature at a time. All the time I was conscious that time was slipping away from me and I started to rush perhaps a little more than I would have liked. This is in evidence in some of the shading and whilst not the end of the world, the results have troubled me a little.
I had planned a  a wonderfully complicated scenic base to go with these miniatures and the final submission also included a Max and a Furiosa along with four pigs!  Unfortunately time got the better of me and so the original plan scrapped and the miniatures were presented as they were.  I will post the other miniatures at a later date as having just seen the photographs, I just want to go back and add a couple of details to the face of one of them.
So for the last time in this year's challenge, I invite to espy the other splendid entries, perhaps even cast a vote for your favourites, they can all be found here.

Don't forget that there is also a giveaway to commemorate '28mm Victorian Warfare's' fifth anniversary.  To enter, and be in with a chance of winning two packs of 'Empress Miniatures', just leave a comment on this post here.  The draw is due to be held on the 31st March 2016.

61 comments:

  1. Nicely done, Michael! We watched Mad Max: Fury Road on DVD last night. I can see the inspiration behind the gang.

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    1. Thank you A.J. I have to say that I was really impressed with Fury Road when I finally got round to seeing it.

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  2. Splendid paintwork Michael!!!

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  3. Splendid as always, I love it when you say you're not happy with your painting while the rest of us drool over the sheer quality of your work!

    Great representations of the character's from the movies too. I think the chap in the tartan is from a movie called Doomsday, a British post apoc romp, and well worth a watch if you haven't seen it.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thank you so much Roger. I am so glad you mentioned that about Doomsday as I spent ages looking at that miniature and wondering why it looked familiar. Eventually it came to me, which is why he got some tartan - loved the movie, ridiculously good fun, but probably not championed by the Scottish tourist board.

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  4. Mad Max is one of my favourite franchises and these are brilliant, I will be popping over to Westphalias website and getting these!!

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    1. Thank you, sadly they don't seem to be listed at the moment, but certainly worth an email to see when they will go on general release.

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  5. Hadn't seen these figs before...they are superb. And despite your struggles, you have done a brilliant job on them as always!

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    1. Thank you so much Gordon, certainly not unhappy with them, but just felt I rushed them a little.

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  6. They look excellent. Well done on your work on these. :)

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  7. More awesome goodness direct from Awdry towers. Its been a pleasure viewing all of your entries this year (even if one or two have cost me money!!) and these "Mad Max' minis are superb :-)

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    1. Thank you Simon, it has certainly been a much more productive year and I have really enjoyed myself.

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  8. Very cool minis and you've really done them justice with your painting!

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  9. Dos hombres entra uno sale......jajajaja
    que buenas minis Amigo de cine y nunca mejor dicho
    un saludo

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    1. Thank you so much J.D. I really need to see Mad Max 3 again.

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  10. Post-Apoc actually isn't my cup of tea but your work on those figures is really a blast. Wonderful stuff, Sir!

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    1. Thank you Stefan, I think I am far too easily distracted, particularly if there is a film tie in.

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  11. I recognise those figures from both the challenge and the films...Ok not the last two (girlies).... but the rest.

    A cracking job mate.

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    1. Thank you Clint, there is a lot of strange stuff out there I discovered when googling ideas for the ladies - very strange!

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  12. Nice painting mate.. but that is going without saying these days. Was a good contest, hopefully I can do it again next year and not move in the middle of it!

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    1. Thank you Kyle, I wondered what had suddenly happened to your prodigious output - looking forward to next year already.

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  13. Fabulous painting all around, Michael. Love the little Master Blaster.

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    1. Thank you Dean, he was such a great addition to the Kickstarter.

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  14. Looks like a Jugger team to me. Well done.

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    1. Now that's a great call, I had forgotten about that celluloid gem!

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  15. Great stuff - love the Wez figure in particular

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    1. Thank you Paul, Kawe had clearly put a lot of love into that one - I was going to put a habit on his base, but then forgot.

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  16. Stunning entry Michael! This mad max stuff never really captured my imagination, but your take on it as above par as always. That little chapess with her pink hairr is a real looker!

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    1. Thank you Nick, I was a big fan of the franchise so these became must have miniatures.

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  17. When i saw the post title, I was expecting Peter Sellars riding a nuke, but I'm happy to have these to look at instead. Very nice work, Michael. Iconic characters, brilliantly painted.

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    1. Ah yes, now you're talking perhaps I could do a SAS team led by Rik Mayall too?

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  18. Can't believe I missed this post for so long. These are great.

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  19. “This Blaster! Twenty men enter, only him leave!” This post sure brings back some cinematic memories!!! Great artwork as usual Michael - "Master Blaster" being my favourite, really superb! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you so much and I, like you, loved the films so was really looking forward to painting these up.

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  20. Who runs Blogger-Town?

    Fantastic job, Michael. Just enough variation between the black and "nearly-black" paints. Very sharp looking miniatures.

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    1. Thank you Mr. Finch, as I've mentioned the quality control on Westfalia products really is top notch.

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  21. The weird and wonderful are once more brought to life by your paintbrush.. Splendi, truly splendid.

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  22. Very nice figures and as usual wonderfully painted my good man. Lovely entries again.

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  23. These are just lovely, Michael. As a couple of comments have mentioned, they really reminded me of "Doomsday" as well - another film where Sean Pertwee dies a nasty death! I love the collection of figure - another great submission!

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  24. Very nice paint job on all of them AND I was particularly impressed by the scars skin tone on the 'man-skirt guy'. :)

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  25. Excellent work Sir Michael! FYI Mad Robot do something very similar, they would make superb footsoldiers if your looking to expand the gang.

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  26. Where can I buy a Master Blaster miniature?

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