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Showing posts with label X Wing Repaints. Show all posts

Sunday, November 16, 2014

X-Wing - AT-AT and AT-ST Models

An AT-AT from the '8th Iron Legion' strides through the low-lands of Dandoran...

... And a rendevous with an Imperial Shuttle ready to disembark a squad of feared Dark Troopers...

Hey! Long time no blog ;)

I decided it was about time I got the armoured might of the Emperor's '8th Iron Legion' painted and based up ready for the table-top (I have plans for these fellas in a forthcoming themed game)

So, let's crack on and head to the Walker Factory...

The bases were cut from 3mm MDF. Size wise, they match the dimensions of two large X-Wing ship bases positioned end to end. For flexibility, I wanted to create modular scenic bases (more on this in a minute), so the walkers needed a way to slot on and off their bases. Fortunately, the Action Fleet toys already had suitable holes positioned in their feet, so it was a case of creating 'pegs' with a width that provided a firm enough fit to allow the model to stay securely on it's base, whilst being able to be removed with a slight tug...

The AT-STs bases match the size of standard X-Wing ship bases...

The AT-AT is lowers into position

With the main bases constructed, it was time to move on to the scenic 'over-lays'...

The modular over-lays were cut from plasti-card. For the first batch, I went for a woodland / jungle finish. These were created by gluing on modelling sand, a couple of coats of mud effect paint and a suitable dry-brush highlight. Once dry, I patch covered the bases with two different types of flock, one light and one dark, to add a bit of contrast. The final touch was to glue on some foliage clusters from Woodland Scenics.

As a test run, I also created an alternate Hoth / snow world base for one of the AT-ATs. This was built in much the same way, but this time finished off with Army Painter snow effect...

The finished bases...

Right, now onto the minis.

Like many galactic nuts, I've been playing a lot of Star Wars: Commander on the ol' dog n' bone recently and I've been inspired by the lush forest setting of Dandoran...

The planet Dandoran. Home to Simon Le Bon.

I've also been inspired by the Imperial Veteran units and in particular, the bad-ass looking black AT-ATs...

The Veteran AT-AT received a blast of black car primer, followed by a gradual highlight of GWs Dawnstone grey. The glowing red command view-port was painted before the undercoat and masked off with tape. A whole lot easier to paint that way :)

Rancor. Even AT-STs need to fear what awaits in the woods...

The paint job for both the standard AT-ATs and the AT-STs pretty much followed the same approach, apart from this time, they all got a blast of grey car car primer ;). The models then all received a wash of GW's Nuln Oil, followed by a highlight of Administratum Grey mixed with a little White Scar...

The '8th Iron Legion' ready to crush the Rebellion...

All that's left now is to build a board for the Legion to wage war on...

Until next time ;)

X-Wing - AT-AT and AT-ST Models

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

X Wing - Black Sun Y-Wing Re-Paint

Inspired by FFG's recently announced Scum & Villainy faction for X-Wing, I decided to knock up a Y-Wing in the colours of those tyrannical ass-hats, the Black Sun Crime Syndicate...

The owner of this particular Y-Wing has added his fair share of modifications, including extensive reworking to the standard fit Koensayr R200's ion jet engines...

Black Sun Bosses discuss the latest financial projections...

The ship also sports a 360o Auto Blaster turret for warding off anything that get's too close and personal, alongside the on-board astromech who provides the pilot with welcome targeting and repair support...

Until next time,

Cheers ;)

X Wing - Black Sun Y-Wing Re-Paint

Saturday, August 16, 2014

X Wing - Darth Vader Re-Paint

Don't know about you, but I always thought Vader's TIE Advanced always looked a bit boring. Of course, as a Dark Lord of the Sith, he probably had more pressing issues to deal with than thinking about pimping his ride...

Still, had Vader found himself on the Imperial throne one day, reading his copy of Max Power, maybe he would have felt inspired to get the boyz down at the Sienar Custom Shop to do a spot of modding... Starting with a re-spray in his colour of choice. Black...

The re-paint for Vader's ship was inspired by the big man's iconic armour; The persistent blackness broken up by areas of both matt finish and high gloss sheen...

"'Back in black, I hit the sack. I been to long I'm glad to be back..."

Vader reliably informs me that he loves the look of his new ride and that Rebel scum everywhere are even more terrified when they catch sight of him in their wing mirrors. Good on ya Darth!

"....Yes, I think you might!"

Until next time ;) X Wing - Darth Vader Re-Paint

Friday, June 20, 2014

X-Wing - ULTIMATE HOBBY SHOWCASE

Like many X-Wing hobby nuts, I've long admired the many and varied re-paints, conversions and scratch builds that the community, right across the world, have been inspired to create. I've also thought how wonderful it would be if these individual pieces of artistic greatness could be brought together and showcased in one place. A (Jedi) Master Gallery if you will, of the finest examples of X-Wing minis on the web-o-sphere.

And then I stopped thinking about it and started doing something about it.

I drew up a list of twenty or so ‘artists’. Each of whom, I believed, brought something unique and inspiring to the table; Be that artisan levels of painting, expert modelling and conversion skills or just out right sheer inventiveness in terms of breaking the X-Wing hobby mould.

I then contacted them all:

I'm Dan (a.k.a. TUZ) and run the blog Hobby Before I Die!

I'm hoping to do a post that celebrates and brings together images from around the web of the very best X-Wing re-paints and conversions - And yours are, without question, some of the best!

To this end, I'm seeking your approval to re-post some images of your work, all of which will be rightly and appropriately attributed and copyrighted to you as the artist.

Let me know if you're OK with the proposed post and thanks for your consideration :)

Cheers, Dan.

I couldn't have hoped for a better response. Every artist I contacted was gracious, enthusiastic and wholly supportive of the idea. From some, I even received admiration for my own work (Too kind guys, too kind ;)). Above all, I had some great conversations with like minded hobbyists who all shared a mutual passion for both the X-Wing game and the hobby in general.

Note: At the end of this gallery you will find details of all the featured artists, along with links to their blogs or forum pages. Please respect the copyright of their work and take the time to show your appreciation by checking out their other fantastic work. You will not be disappointed.

And so, here we are. What follows isn't exhaustive by any means. I know there are many other examples of X-Wing hobby greatness out there, that for differing reasons, I couldn't include in this showcase. Maybe, in the future, there will be opportunity for a second gallery?

In the meantime, sit back, pour yourself a fine glass of Double-Dip Outer Rim Rumdrop and marvel at the artistry of the X-Wing hobby community…