Friday 19 February 2016

"These Large And Ponderous Amphibians Have Devastatingly Powerful Jaws..."

"It is generally best to avoid them."
This 28mm metal model of an Ice Toad is made by “North Star Military Figures” and can be bought together with a Snow Leopard as code FGV301 from their “Frostgrave” range. The model was given an undercoat of “Vallejo” White before being heavily washed with Pale Grey. The back of the short stout-bodied beast was then dabbed with more White using a face blusher pad. Finally its sharp pointed teeth were painted using a combination of White and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade.
Templar WIPs - The soldier now just needs his waist-dagger, sword and amour painted
Sticking with this month’s “Frostgrave” theme I have been persevering with the painting on my warband's Templar. Having decided that I was going to paint the mail armoured soldier's tunic pure white, I have been busy shadowing the garment with "Vallejo" Pale Grey. In addition I have used some Heavy Sienna to pick out his belt and shoulder strap. Now all I need do it apply some metallic paints and appropriate washes to his waist-dagger, chain mail, two-handed sword and helmet, and the warrior will be finished...

One of my (many) ongoing side-projects is to paint up a sizeable force of plastic "Wizkids" Alien models from the company's "Horrorclix" AVP Alien Verses Predator: Aliens Collector's Set to use as replacement 'toxic zombies' for some H.R. Giger-inspired games of “Zombicide”.
Marrden Nagrub WIPs - These H.R. Giger-inspired models simply need a black wash to be finished
I was actually close to finishing this 'diversion' and had thought the four plastic 40mm miniatures I was planning on posting next week would be the end of the matter. Clearly Jez of "Carrion Crow's Buffet" fame had other ideas for me though, and very kindly sent me three "Heroscape" Marrden Nagrub figures to bolster my aggressive extra-terrestrial forces. 

These wonderful "Wizards Of The Coast" sculpts were originally pre-painted bone with green chitinous armour. But as I thought they'd make excellent Alien dog-creatures, and act as 'toxic runners' for "Zombicide", I have undercoated them black and highlighted them with "Vallejo" German Grey in exactly the same way as I have with my "Horrorclix" Aliens. All these evil-looking canines now need is some additional washing with "Citadel" Nuln Oil in order to be finished... and a good job too as I have another eighteen currently making their way to me from across the Pond courtesy of the store "All Things Herocape".

24 comments:

  1. I do love that toad! However how on earth does an amphibian survive/move around in snow? :-P

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    1. Thanks Andy. Well they can only move 3" to say a Snow Leopard's 8". Though the model does suggest it simply sits there and waits for someone to pass by so it can gobble them up. Their attacks cause triple damage!! :-)

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  2. Excellent work on the Ice Toad. :)

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    1. Cheers PulpCitizen. Slowly making my way through the "Frostgrave" bestiary.

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  3. The ice toad looks superb Michael, now where did I leave my face blusher pad? :D

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    1. Thanks Michael. A face blusher pad is now an essential part of my painting kit I assure you :-)

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  4. A bit of a monochrome theme this week? Nice work on the ice toad, Simon, and I'll admit I was surprised to see the Nagrubs painted so quickly. But they are lovely sculpts and fit in well with your other Aliens, as I thought they might. And 18 more on the way? "We're gonna need bigger guns..."

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    1. Many many thanks for sending me the Nagrubs, Jez. They really are very much appreciated and, as you've gathered from me buying a few more, really inspired me to expand my Alien forces. These models were re-based, gritted and undercoated within hours of arriving... and yes, Roj Blake is going to need some bigger guns ;-)

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  5. Great job on the Ice Toad...that's a particularly necrotic shade of white you've got there!

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    1. Cheers Gordon. I was very tempted just to paint him green tbh. But now am glad I stuck with white and a grey wash.

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  6. Yep, that toad if suitable menacing (still hate frogs though!), and that Templar should look great when finished, I'm reading a good novel about them at the moment "Knights of the black and white", so very apt.

    Eighteen more Nagrubs! you don't do things by halves do you!.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thanks Roger. I was actually a little underwhelmed by the size of the Ice Toad when he first arrived, as I was expecting something somewhat bigger. But he's certainly grown on me since I started painting him. I'm hoping to have the Templar finished this weekend, and get him submitted to the AHPC along with my completed Medium Construct.

      "You don't do things by halves" says the man who bought a 100 "Heroclix" just to get a model of Professor X just so he could convert him :-P

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  7. As others have said, the toad has turned out very well indeed. I've never seen the Marrden Nagrubs before but you're right about them looking suitably Giger-esque. Good call! They'll fit in well with your other Aliens.

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    1. Cheers Bryan. I too had never seen the Nagrubs before Jez posted them to me. But they are so Giger-esque that it seemed rude not to give them a similar colour scheme to my other Aliens. You've really started a snowballing project for me by sending me those "Horrorclix" of yours, so a huge thanks to you once again as this well now be the Year of the Alien in blogging terms for me. You should see why over the coming weeks ;-)

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  8. Awesome love the Ice Toad I quite like those Nagrubs as well they would look good as pred hounds if you did them in a different paint scheme

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    1. Thanks Simon. I did briefly consider the Nagrubs for Predator Hounds. But see that "Prodos" now sell the official models as part of their "AVP" resin range... Something I've just dipped my toe in with my usual gusto :-)

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  9. The toad looks ace, Simon. The face-blusher-pad's new to me. Just the thing for the job, it seems.

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    1. Cheers Finch. The face blusher certainly lets you blend in colours both quickly and, imho, effectively.

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  10. I believe that toad has a side career as a mime!

    Love it though, frog(toad)'s leg's is back on the menu boys!

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    1. Thanks Dai. The Ice Toad is a great sculpt :-)

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