There are some models that just speak to you, crying out to be painted. This is one of those for me. I have always loved the Star Wars AT-ST affectionately known as the "chicken walker" by many, and last year my mom got me one for Star Wars Legion. She picked it as it was one of her favourite Star Wars models as well, having loved watching one get smashed by the Ewoks as we watched the movies over and over again when I was a kid.
Even though I got it last year, and promptly got it assembled, it has sat since then. Mainly due to covid hitting and not being able to get together with friends to play, but also since I knew it would be an awesome show piece model for the challenge. Since I wasn't playing games, there was no rush to get it done, so it sat until now, waiting....
Honestly, I was also a bit intimidated by it. It is well know that I hate painting flesh, but I also hate painting vehicles (even though I feel I am ok at it). I just am never sure where to start or end with weathering, and either always feel I under do it or over do it. So, I had a bit of trepidation starting on this model.
I started by priming black and then airbrushing in white primer where all the highlights would be, and then into the center of the panels where it would be lighter. Next I applied a few thin layers of a neutral grey over the entire model, and with that the base layer should have been done. As usual though, I applied it a bit to thick and it lacked a bit of contrast and shadow, so I had to go back and airbrush in some dark grey into shadow areas and around panels, and a bit of light blue grey as a filter onto the panels to make it look right to me.
Next I clear coated the whole thing with a few layers of gloss to prep for the next step, oil paint washes and rust effects. I first used super thin (1 part paint, 8 parts thinner) black to pin wash all the panel line edges and details. Then pulled out a nice dark red brown rust coloured "oil brusher" from AK (think of a mascara tube but full of oil paint) and put dots of it around all areas I wanted a rust colour to appear. I then used white spirits to pull the colour where I wanted, around details, or as faded runs where I thought it might reasonably go. Now, I don't know what an AT-ST would be made of, and it probably wouldn't be anything that rusts (most likely some kind of ceramic type armour), but screw it, I like the rust look!
Once that was done, I went back with another oil brusher called space ship filth that looked like oily grim and an oil wash from AK called exhaust. I used them to apply oil type marks around the joints on the legs and exhaust marks around the vents on the back. Again, no idea if they are exhaust vents or intakes, but I went with what I thought looked good. I played around with all the oil effect adding more, taking them away, or thinning the effect until it looked right, using a clean brush and white spirits.
After all that was done I clear coated it again, and then started applying the sand coloured oil wash that I normally use on my Storm Troopers. I applied several thin layers on the feet and worked it up to about half way up the legs. I probably could have applied a few more layers as it still looks a bit too little, but I didn't want to over do it. It was then just basing and a final clear coat left, and it was done.
Last up was another unit of Storm Troopers, but I already described how I did the Snow Troopers earlier this challenge so will not waste time again.
Not sure what to call it for points though. SWL is 36mm scale so I am
assuming it counts as 40mm as that is than 28mm, but this thing is huge
at 8" tall so I am claiming 30 points for him rather than the allocated
25. If Curt or the minions feel differently, they are welcome change
it. So that should make this submission worth 65 points.
Overall, I am super happy with how this model came out, which is rare for me as I am always very critical of my own work. While there are some minor things that I could touch again, maybe a bit more or less weathering, a bit more sand look, I am honestly very happy with it as is, so am calling it done.
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What a great stonking beast that AT-ST is! A very impressive build Bryon and you have absolutely nailed it - the weathering and detailing is just spot on. I know exactly the trepidation you mention - I try to remind myself that I can always strip it if I bungle the job, but its hard after putting hours into the different layers. Your use of oils and pin washes has really paid dividends too.
This is just fantastic - may it blast many pesky rebels and turn them into bantha fodder! I am awarding a few extra points for the superb work. The stormtroopers are very nice also - pity they cant hit anything :-)
Cap'n Wednesday
