Avatar Dropship

A quick video overview of a Deep Space Shuttlecraft from Fantastic Plastic (from the Avatar Movie).  Details on the youtube video.  It is 1/300 scale (Epic / Battletech), however I think it would work fine for 15mm as a drop ship because it is simply massive.

15mm Terrain Work Continues for Salute.

Here are some photos from this weeks Sunday garage-workshop session. It was a long session and a lot of painting was completed.  @inrepose, @internalclock , @neilcford and Russ all turned up to help paint and work thought the detailing stages of the terrain.   

There are still another 3 weeks work here, with super detailing, some static grass to apply to the desert layout and additional drop on buildings and models to create.  The Mesa resin terrain from Critical Mass Games was used on the first layout below and is a great way to rapidly put a rock restricted fire table together for Battletech or any other 15mm / 28mm gaming.  I have integrated them into the board for a diorama type feel, however the resin mesa could be painted on their own and used as drop on terrain that can be moved around for different layouts. 

Desert Terrain. Base sand colour and initial drybrush applied. Some use of Mig pigments "dark brown" applied to the sides of the Mesa.  The two flat Messa toward the back of the board are going to hold an integrated landing platform. 

Using lighter brown MIG pigment to blend some of the edges of the initial dark brown. If you use water to apply the pigment it will allow you to re-blend again when you apply the lighter pigment.  Once these pigments are applied additional dry-brushing will bring out the texture again, whilst leaving the shading and tones on the board. 

A small crashed space vessel. This is a model from Dark Realm miniatures. It will be painted and detailed with some dark burn marks behind the engine in the sand.  It is a 6mm scale sci-fi model (epic scale) but it will look like some sort crashed drone in 15mm.  I will probably also use the board for 6mm gaming. Small details adds some interest to the layout and when painted it will draw the eye into the detail.

Starting to paint the ash waste terrain with craters on the separate board.  Just the first edges in darker grey have been added and full grey layer will be applied and will also blend in the darker areas. 

MIG Pigments for weathering.

MIG produce some nice washes, oils and pigments which you can use to add detail to models in 15mm and other scales. I think this is an Antenocitis Workshop trash / garbage bin in 28mm scale. I airbrushed it a basic yellow and then simply washed it with various GW inks.  

I then used some Turps in a small mixing pot (a drop or two) and then added the weathering power. Weathering powder is very fine power which unlike paint does not dissolve totally, so you can build up a texture.  Once applied with turps or thinner you can then add a tiny drop or two of pigment fixer. It is an enamel based fixer which locks the pigment in place.

In this example I am using the new Industrial pigment from MIG which dries to a much lighter colour than the dark area on the left of the garbage bins front.

Trash bin with added MIG pigment on the front left.

I have used pigments for a few years and you can see some in action on the top of these buildings. The circular buildings from Old Crow and the mech hanger beside the King Crab Battltech mech both have pigment washes blended on the tops.  Pigments can be used like washes with a bit of thinners or turps and the result is a smooth well blended shade which is super matte and dusty looking and less harsh than an ink or GW type wash. 

I think the technique will work well in 15mm scale, especially on tanks and anything that needs weathering or mud adding.  MIG also provide a thicker resin based pigment fixer which can be mixed in to create chunky mud finishes. I have never used it but will certainly try it on a tank track soon to create a fresh mud look.

Terrain layout with MIG Pigments used on the tops of buildings.