Bluestone 42 - Gallery

This was a very long project that was running in the background for a way too long, so I was happy to finally see it finished. Completely scratch built using Magic Sculp (two part epoxy putty), inspired by the British comedy series Bluestone 42. Overall - very much an exercise in sculplting and painting MTP camouflage.

The diorama is a liberal interpertation of a scene from Episode 5 of the 3rd season where two privates settle a bet of which gladiator weapon is the most effective (after all it was the SA 80 assault rifle with a bayonet attached proved to be better than the trident). In the background there are remains of the bomb disposal robot 'Arthur' - a nod to the pilot episode of the series.

Bluestone 42 - part 3

Piece of MDF was used as a base. For the ground I used virtually everything within my reach. Started off with multi-purpose filler, then added sieved earth with PVA glue, and a bit of baking soda on top to make the fine sand appearance.

Airbrushed with Tamiya's XF-59 Desert yellow. Brown very diluted oil wash and some drybrushing with oil buff colour. 

Close-up on the remains of 'Arthur' - the EOD robot from early episodes of the series.

Figures painting started off with Surfacer 1200, then airbrushed rough shadows and highlights. Nothing too detailed. Sort of pre-shading. Actual painting started off with fleshy parts - faces and hands. Multiple very, very, very diluted acrylics.

For brush applications I tend to sticks with Citadel paints. They have fantastic covering qualities, and when diluted with acrylic fluid retarder easy to blend.

Successive layers upon layers of paint.

MTP camoufage painted with various mixes of Citadel's: 'Abaddon Black', 'Pallid Wych Flesh', 'Zandri Dust', 'Dryad Bark' and 'Bleached Bone'. Quite a different range than Tamiya's greys, drabs and tans.

Tiny bit of oil wash around sleeves, and deep crevices.

Figures fixed om the base. Overall coat of very diluted oil 'buff' colour to act as a filter. Just to visually blend everything together.

Bit of dust made out of sanded down dry pastels. Cheap alternative to ready made pigments when specific mix of colour is required.