Friday 5 January 2018

"The Ogrons Are Mercenaries."

"Other life forms use them to do their dirty work."
These 35mm tall "pewter" models of three Ogrons are produced by “Warlord Games” as part of their "Into The Time Vortex" range. Employed for their services by likes of the Daleks and the Master, these "ape-like hominids" attempted to help start a war between Draconia and Earth in the February 1973 BBC television story “Frontier In Space”, and have much more recently appeared in the "Big Finish" audio dramas "Return of the Daleks" and "The Romance Of Crime".

Initially primed with two coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, these miniatures were all heavily dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and had their trousers layered using some Heavy Brown. The 22nd Century "police officers" then had their shirt sleeves painted with Iraqi Sand and their belts, straps and wrist bands layered with Heavy Sienna. All of these areas were subsequently washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.
Sea Devils WIPs - Jon Pertwee's famous foes still need a little work on their faces and tunics
With the larger areas of the Ogrons completed I applied a combination of "Vallejo" Charred Brown and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade to their hair and arms. I also dry-brushed some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna across each brute's furry face and hands, but later washed these facial areas with "Citadel" Nuln Oil in order to darken them quite considerably. Finally, the super-strong extra-terrestrials had their disintegrator guns 'picked out' with Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil.

Staying with the Nottingham-based manufacturer and their "Doctor Who: Exterminate" miniatures game, I have made plenty of progress on the last three Sea Devils that I own. These relatives to the Silurians have been sat on my painting desk unfinished for the past three months, but now that the Recruitment Cards for their faction have been teased (featuring Sea Devil Ancients and an Overlord), I have been galvanised into action.
Darkseid WIPs - Jack Kirby's creation still needs his face finishing before being varnished and having his base flocked
Likewise, my "Wizkids" figure of Darkseid has been patiently stood waiting on my panting table for exactly a year, having been started during the first few weeks for last year's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. I was absolutely aghast at the cost of "the tyrannical ruler of the planet Apokolips" when "Knight Models" released his "white metal kit" in April 2017, as despite his formidable size, a £40 price tag for a single miniature is arguably extortionate.

The Spanish company have now admittedly released the self-same model in "high quality resin" for half the money as part of them "switching over to Pre-Coloured Plastic/Restic/Resin for their DC & Batman range". But as I already own this, admittedly less impressive-looking, "Heroclix" sculpt of Darkseid I thought I'd stick to what I've got and get him ready for the tabletop instead.

16 comments:

  1. Great work on the Ogryn's and Sea Devils Simon, and very nice work on Darkseid

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    1. Thanks Dave. The Ogrons have been sat around a while, so its good to get them finished, and the same will be said for the Sea Devils once I've got them completed this weekend. Darkseid is a nice simple sculpt, with just some layering and washes. He's actually finished now and just being varnished and flocked :-)

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  2. I have to agree with Dave here - great work on all of these figures. I, too, have a backlog of Warlord Games "Doctor Who" figures waiting to get painted. Your posts are a valuable resource on working out what colours to use and although I primarily use Foundry paints, I can still find good matches to the colours you use.

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    1. Cheers Bryan. The Ogrons' sleeves was the hardest match tbh, as they look rather green in some tv stills I've seen, but should be a dirty light brown in others. Plus I've changed from a "Vallejo" Charred Brown to Heavy Sienna for their faces, as I thought the first three's skin colour was too dark. I've since gone back and repainted the first three so they all match.

      Perhaps a large-scale BatRep involving most of my "Doctor Who" miniatures by "Warlord Games" will encourage you with your backlog ;-)

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  3. Another interesting read. I cant wait to see the Ogrons in a game and how they work alongside the Daleks. I have always loved your Sea Devils and think they look superb and these are no different. The clothing is particularly well done and they look very like the screen versions indeed, good work sir. My knowledge of Darkseid is a bit limited, but I do know he is a mega baddy who is hard to defeat and I agree with you that the Knight Models sculpt is better. However this version still has a lot of character and I like what you are doing with him, definitely in my top ten for the year so far!!! Lots of Dr Who again? I forsee a theme for the rest of the year, but don't forget your other counters - that Boromite total is achingly close after all.

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    1. Thanks Undercoat. The Ogrons are now all ready for the tabletop, so should be fighting alongside the Daleks very soon; even if I end up using my own rules for them ;-) Plus once these Sea Devils are finished, they too can take to the battlefield.

      I'm hoping to do some big "DC Comics" battles in the future, and Darkseid is definitely one of their biggest villains. I guess though, I'll have to do Superman soon too, as the pair are the greatest of rivals.

      I'm just finishing off a few "Doctor Who" minis from last month, and then it'll be predominantly "Heroclix" for the next few weeks, with perhaps some room for some "Beyond The Gates Of Antares"...

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  4. That sounds awesome. I see Warlord are showing off some new daleks today, which look terrific so keep the Dr Who coming! Likewise the super heroes, a great genre to see painted up.

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    1. Marvellous news. More additions to my Dalek Faction are always welcome :-)

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  5. Of all the Dr. Who enemies that I don't know, I think the Sea Devils are my favoourite brushwork of your;s even in a semi-finished stae they look superb!
    The Orgrons seem bit bland in comparison to many other and appear fairly run of the mill. Darkseid looks like he may well be a good villain though

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    1. I'm a huge fan of the Sea Devils myself, Joe, so I'm really pleased that you like them. The Ogrons are rather... brown tbh, hence their blandness. I think the look rather good on the tabletop, especially when intermixed with the gold of the Daleks.

      Darkseid killed Batman once, so he's as top tier a villain as you can get and certainly up there with Jack Kirby's other New Gods.

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  6. Ogrons look rather nice dude. The Sea Devils clothing looks rather good its almost got like a shimmer like effect to it.

    Darkseid is off to a good start.

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    1. Cheers Simon. The Sea Devils should be finished soon, and Darkseid is just being flocked for my next posting :-)

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  7. Every time you post up a Heroclix figure repaint it really makes me want to dig through my box and give it a go. Someday :) Cracking stuff as usual!

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    1. Thanks Ivor. Darkseid's now finished, and should lead my next posting, if the Sea Devils don't jump the queue ;-)

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  8. I do love the colours you have used for the “devils” Simon. Darkseid is one fierce dude to take out the Dark Knight of Gotham...

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    1. Cheers Andy. This'll be nine Sea Devils once I've finished painting the final one. Darkseid is formidable indeed, and will be on the tabletop leading my "DC Comics" villains invasion force very soon ;-)

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