Monday 7 May 2018

These ARE the droids you have been looking for.

One of the joys of diving headlong into Imperial Assault was opening a big box and finding a mass of Star Wars characters in it, add to this the prospect of enhancing the core box with booster packs and I was transported back in time to that young boy who greedily ripped open the packaging of his action figures; not appreciating that to keep them in mint condition was the way forward!  
Greed is worth reflecting on here, as there is a danger that we end up coveting the next big thing without really considering if we actually need them.  I certainly didn't need to be buying booster packs, but I unashamedly wanted them!  Having acknowledged that Imperial Assault was always going to be pure self indulgence, thereby absolving me of all guilt, one of the fist packs that I picked up was that of R2-D2 and C3-PO; two of the most iconic characters in the franchise.* 
*I have to confess that I don't like the word franchise here, I appreciate that it is a financial concern, but like to think of Start Wars as something more special, at least to me anyway.
I immediately ripped open the packet, taking care to keep the proof of purchase badges,  although for the life of me I don't know why, and put the cards and skirmish map to one side.  As I picked up the plastic miniatures, I could immediately hear the chirps and beeps of the loveable R2 unit and the heavy clunk as C3-PO gave his rumbustious counterpart a kick - oh the joy!  
Of course I now needed to paint them and at this point I need to make special mention of the 'Sorastro's Painting Tutorials'; I can sit and watch this series YouTube videos for hours!  Never patronising, Sorastro's commentary is clear and deceptively simple as he takes the novice painter through a series of stages to produce wonderful results.  He does, however use a lot of 'Games Workshop' washes, glazes and specialist paints which I didn't have.  A little bit of web based research unearthed a paint matching chart and I was heartened to find that I could match most of the colours that he used used with my Vallejo pots, but the subject of the washes was a sticking point.  In the end I decided that I would give them a go and ordered some up, by my word the price made my eyes water!
I shall refrain from detailing the painting process here as I simply followed the tutorial to the letter.  I did, however have to come to terms with a white undercoat, a departure from my using method, and looking at the photographs I am somewhat frustrated to see that my tired eyes missed a substantial mould line that runs down the front of R2D2.  I shall share one joyous moment that whilst painting  C3-PO silver I was instructed to coat him with sepia wash, it was as if I had learnt the secrets of alchemy as the golden body of the much maligned protocol droid magically appeared in front of me!
So my fist efforts have hit the table and I have to say that I am rather pleased with the results; more to follow shortly! 

45 comments:

  1. Ah! Excellent work sir! My favourite robot duo in the galaxy :)

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    1. Thank you MichaƂ, they are certainly two of my favourite characters.

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  2. These look tremendous, if watching youtube videos gives you these results I'm going to have to sign up. Although I think more than a modicum of skill rests with the hand wielding the brush. :)
    Greed and want are interesting concepts and I think you have just convinced me to spend more money on something I want but don't need. Thanks for helping me make a good decision.

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    1. Thank you. I really can't praise the videos enough, I am certainly picking up lots of tips.

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  3. Absolutely fantastic renditions of the robot duo Michael, agree the price on GW washes can bring a tear to the eye ( and wallet) but is the one set I would actually recommend,that and there glazes, like you with the paints prefer Vallejo

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    1. Thank you Dave, the washes really do work well and I am sure that I will start to incorporate them in future projects.

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  4. Lovely stuff, Michael. They are a corking duo imho, and I had a lot of fun painting mine up a couple of years ago. Looking forward to seeing them make an appearance in "Star Wars: Legions" ;-)

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    1. Thank you Simon, thrilled with how they have turned out.

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  5. Very nice. I have a confession. Don't like star wars. Last 2 have been good but previous 7 were rubbish. I shall go and hide now

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    1. Thank you Martin, I have to confess I am not a huge fan of episodes one to three, but will still sit three them if given half the chance.

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  6. Wonderful brushwork Sir M. Yep those are the droids you've been looking for!

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  7. Great post Micheal & yes you're right we should always think joy for Starwars not franchise :) I have to admit at having a giggle when you talked about white undercoat & washes as not been a great painter myself that's how I paint nearly all my models :)

    The paint job you've done on the two guys is class & not only did they come to life before your eye's but mine also, so thanks for that, as to want & need if we live like that we'd have no toys at all lol.

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    1. Thank you so much Frank, what a lovely comment.

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  8. Lovely work, Michael. It's always good to try new painting techniques and have them come out exactly as you'd hoped. I may have been painting robots myself today, although mine are somewhat more militant and don't have any legs...

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    1. Thank you Jez, I wasn't sure about the technique to begin with, but really pleased with the outcome and will certainly have a look at a couple more. Curious about your robots now.

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  9. Beautiful work Michael. I've used his tutorials for my stormtroopers and it worked marvelously. Nonetheless, I can completely sympathize with your trepidation in using a white undercoat - it goes against all my painting instincts!

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    1. Thank you Curt, the man is a genius! I need to give the Stormtroopers a go myself, but that will mean more white undercoat - I shudder at the thought. :)

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  10. Fantastic to see you finally getting to these figures Michael! It also appears you've gone & gotten some of the 3D elements that make the game POP! Still need to order these myself!

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    1. Thank you Terry, really enjoying these and yes you have spotted some of my Combatzone scenery. I shall have to do a quick post on them at some point this month.

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  11. Great start on this Star Wars project! Regardless of the missed moldline, I think you've done a lovely job on these two. Glad you remembered the silver leg. :)

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  12. Excellent stuff. I've watched some of his tutorials and backed him on Patreon for a while. You've certainly done them justice! I had to step back from this for a while as I was picking up a new blister every now and then on Amazon while feeling bored or stressed. Probably not the best thing to be doing ;)

    I do want all the Rebels characters though

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  13. They look great. It sounds like you’ve gone through the same process that I have to impulse buy Star Wars: Legion without being sure I’ll ever play it.

    Nostalgia value rules the roost for me at the moment.

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  14. Lovely work indeed Micheal!

    Christopher

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  15. Nice droids Michael :)

    I do enjoy watching Sorastro's vids, even though the subjects aren't games that I play.

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  16. Up to your high standards.

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  17. Great stuff....although not a game I was planning to get into, will watch your collection grow 🙂

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  18. Very nice paintwork !

    I know the feel....

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  19. Great work, Michael! These were some of my favourite figures to paint as well.

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  20. Fantastic work Michael. They both look excellent and make fine additions to the game.

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  21. what with the beautiful results Simon got with his followed by your equally splendid results, I can categorically state that I am never painting Artoo and Threepio.

    ;-b

    Cheers Roger.

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  22. Very cool minis and nicely painted.

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  23. Outstanding work bringing these two iconic Star Wars characters to life.

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  24. Very nice work.

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  25. At this scale, your work is simply amazing sir!

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  26. Stunning work Michael, these are looking exactly as they should be.

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