Sneaky Prawns, eh? Power Armoured Crusties!

I've got an in built can opener for that cat food!

The first four completed PA Crusties (power armoured prawns- PAP!).

I wanted to have a lot more completed but unfortunately life got in the way (I worked every single weekend this month!- in addition to working to every day of the working week).  That being said, life didn't suck entirely- I strict pressed 75kg!  Personal best!  Hooray!  Must be the painting!

I've talked a bit about the painting scheme for the PA troops so I won't go much into it.

I'm really happy how they've come together- they really are pretty cool models as far as aliens go (and I'm a massive xenophobe).

So in game terms- they are all carrying pretty hefty weaponry.  The standard rifle toting PAP looks like he's packing a LSW (SAW) equivalent.  The cone shaped weapon I imagine is a plasma anti armour weapon- also I'd imagine highly useful in splatting small areas in fusion goo.  The other PAP- not well shown- is carrying a heavy weapon- I think it's a .50 cal equivalent of alien goodness.

I considered leaving off the power packs/ back packs entirely.  They look cumbersome, those horn things jutting into the air.  I can see them getting caught on door frames, branches, concertina.  I guess if it's alien enough- it could actually be kind of organic and limb like- automatically curling in or ducking back out of the way.

Jets!

I think those jet things provide some mobility for the PAPs in zero G environments and under water.  It doesn't look controllable enough to provide them 'hop' abilities like the Mobile Infantry in Starship Troopers.

As far as how the army is progressing- once I complete the next four PAPs- I'm onto fixing up a single Crusty Tank.  We'll see how it goes.   

More WIP: PA Crusty

Getting dressed for the big night

I haven't updated in over a week as I was stricken with gastroenteritis.  I was laid out for a week- which was shitty.  I was utterly nauseated and glued to the porcelain throne so painting was out of the question.

As I recovered, I picked up Deus Ex and played it to the finish.  Which was a cool diversion- but ultimately the more I played- the more cool I thought the power armoured augs looked.  

Thus, refreshed and energised I'm back on point with the painting.  So there isn't a lot of progress but there is a bit.

I'm serious about getting that cat food

I have to say that the photo makes them look better than they are in real life.

Back packs are being prepped now.

More to follow.

WIP- Power Armoured Crusties

Just an update on what I've been painting this week.

These are GZG power armoured crusties.  I've kept the paint scheme the same as the walkers for consistency.  I have to admit that the scheme makes them look like little green blobs at a distance.  Still, I think it's ok.

The palette was:
1. Undercoat with citadel chaos black
2. I used VGC Dark Green as the base coat

3. Wash with Citadel Athonian Camoshade
4. Highlight with VMC Uniform Green
5.  Very light dry brush with VMC Uniform Green again

6. Then do the whites (knees and shoulders are with Citadel Administratum Grey).  (Weapon with Citadel Celestra Grey).  Highlighted with Citadel Ulthuan Grey.
7. Then do the eyes.

I still have backpacks to do and about a dozen of these little guys to get through, so there will be more to follow.

How Do Your Weapons Work?

I finished my second walker today after a very busy week at work.

Woke up this morning with brilliant autumn sunshine coming through my window and I figured I'd finish this little guy and take some photos.  (My daylight bulbs just don't compare to natural sunlight). 

Stalking forward

Having learned a few key lessons from walker number 1, the whole process wasn't as drawn out and painful.  Knowing how it was going to turn out was a great motivator in getting him complete.

Cool looking weapon

The heavily inspired District 9 -style weaponry looks extra cool.  I've always struggled with reds- finding that my highlights make the whole thing look orange more than red.  But the Khorne Red (maroon) base and bright red highlight and lazy dry brush really helps.

Walking away

I thought about painting a design on the back panel but I lack the artist talent to paint one of those District 9 'gang' signs that the Prawns have on their shacks.

Bright blue eyes

The eyes are serviceable.  I'm not super happy with them- I think OSL (objective source lighting- i.e. 'glow') would make them look super great- but until I find a good (and fast!) way of doing OSL I won't risk mucking up my paint job.

If anyone is interested, the base is a combination of beach sand (Australia has incredibly fine powder like sand on it's beaches) and some "Faller: Streumaterial >>Quarz<<" (Quartz bits) glued on or milliputted on.

I then mixed some watered down Chaos Black and PVA and soap, inked the base and allowed it to dry.  A quick drybrush with Citadel Zandri Dust for dirt and Citadel Administratum Grey for the rocks followed.  Finally there was a touch of Zap-A-Gap for the Citadel Mordheim Tufts.

BTW- if anyone has a good way of obscuring the white plastic base of the tufts, feel free to post a comment.   

Second Walker Work In Progress

In bits

Another walker in the works.

I have to say, I'm always struck by how rubbish miniatures look before they've had a good lick of paint.

I'll aim to complete this fellow by the end of the week.

I'm happy to have found a Tomorrow's War stat sheet for various walkers in the appendix.  It saves me having to design one myself (I am not a terribly creative individual).

Lots of goals for April.  I'll see if I can reach them.