Imagine the struggling victims whose limbs were pulled from their sockets atop the Torture Rack. Imagine the evil knowledge and arcane secrets contained within the volumes and scrolls that grace the Bookcase. Imagine the ill-fitting pantaloons and paisley printed cravats preserved inside the Cupboard!!!
The Cupboard shares many features with the Bookcase, including a single cardboard component of identical dimensions, the same plastic top, and the same selection of decorative features to adorn said top (a skull and a rat). Construction of the plastic replacement for the cardboard was relatively straight forward. A basic box-shaped core was created from four sheets of styrene. These were cut to the same size as the cardboard sheet in order to fit into the same slots on the underside of the lid. Each side was then laminated with multiple layers of styrene to thicken the dimensions of the cabinet and add detail. For instance, the doors were made from separate sheets of styrene, cut to shape and glued to the front panel. The surrounding frame work was then built up around the doors to appear flush, before the hinges and handles were added.
As with the Bookcase, I chose to create some variety with the decorative features for the top. I decided to keep the second rat, given that it was at least in a different pose than the one I had used for the Bookcase. In place of the disappointing stock skull, I constructed a large book with a ribbon. The original cardboard design featured a beast skull on the central arch between the two sets of doors. This was replicated with a piece from the amazing Citadel Skulls box I had mentioned in my previous post on the Torture Rack.
The painting was rather straightforward, albeit time consuming. The wood was painted in the same manner as the bookcase, only using lighter colors to simulate oak. The hinges and handles were painted as wrought iron. The book and rat were welcome splashes of color in the otherwise monotonous process.
And that completes another piece of furniture! Next are the three treasure chests, which will put my patience with non-metallic metals to the test. Slowly chipping away at the components of this amazing game, but still no light at the end of the tunnel. Until next time…
Wood:
Base coated with VMC (Panzer Aces) New Wood (70.311). Dark grain lines were added with VMC Flat Earth (70.983). Highlights along the grain were painted with a 2:1 mix of VMC Desert Yellow (70.977) and the New Wood. Point highlights were added with pure Desert Yellow. Knotholes and cracks were darkened with VMC Chocolate Brown (70.872). Edges of panels were separated and shaded with glazes of VMC Smoke (70.939).
Black Metal:
The metal elements were based with VMC Black (70.950). A non-metallic metal gradient was established with the application of VMC Black Grey (70.862), initially pure, followed by progressive mixes with Schmincke Titanium White. The point highlights were an approximately 1:2 mix of these colors.
Book:
The covers of the book were base coated with VMC Periscopes (70.309). A lighter tone was created with a 1:1 mix of Periscopes and VMC Pale Blue (70.906). This was used to stipple the surface as well as to edge highlight the covers. The areas were then glazed with several thin layers of Periscopes to reduce the brightness of the pattern, followed by a repeat application of the edge highlighting.
The golden corner pieces were painted with a standard non-metallic metal application of VMC German Camo Black Brown (70.822), VGC Heavy Brown (72.153), VGC Heavy Gold Brown (72.151), and VMC Ivory (70.918).
The pages were base coated with VMC Medium Grey (70.987), and then washed with VGC Sepia Ink (72.091). Small highlights and streaks were then added with a reapplication of the pure Medium Grey.
The ribbon was base coated with VMC Black Red (70.859). Layers were applied with a 1:1 mix of Black Red and VMC Flat Red (70.957), followed by pure Flat Red. These areas were toned down with a glaze of Black Red, followed by edge highlighting with a 1:1:1 mix of Black Red, VMC Scarlet (70.817), and VMC Ivory (70.918).
Rat:
The rat’s fur was base coated with VMC Black (70.950). Individual tufts of fur were then picked out with VMC Black Grey (70.862), followed by highlights with the inclusion of some Schmincke Titanium White. The skin was base coated with VGC Heavy Skintone (72.140). This was mixed 1:1 with VGC Pale Flesh (72.003), followed by pure Pale Flesh for highlights. Final point highlights were applied with a 1:1 mix of Pale Flesh and VMC Ivory (70.918).
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