Tuesday 13 October 2015

"It's More Serious Than Death... He's Changing Form."

"What you have done could result in the total destruction of all life on this planet."
These four 28mm metal models by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” are from their code SKU: Deal 87 Spawn and have been painted up as the last of my Krynoid plant-zombies for Zomtober 2015. The models were all initially given an undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Grey before being indiscriminately washed with “Citadel” Thrakka Green and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. Once finished I dry-brushed the extra-terrestrials with more “Vallejo” Heavy Grey and then painted their ‘eyes’, bulges, crab-like claws and blisters using either Heavy Kakhi, Heavy Sienna, Heavy Brown or Heavy Red. All of these areas were then treated to an appropriate “Citadel” coloured wash such as Carroburg Crimson, before I applied a final dry-brush of “Vallejo” Heavy Grey.
"The travel in pairs, like policemen." 
Having finished all the ‘Walkers’ I plan to use for my end-of-month “Doctor Who And The Seeds of Doom” inspired “Zombicide” game, I have now started to paint up seven ‘Runners’ using some of the company’s Failed Experiment miniatures.  For now I’m simply concentrating upon one of their Minion models who will represent the first of Harrison Chase’s infected security guards and uses one of their Failed Experiment Heads and Arms. There’s actually a surprising amount of detail on this sculpt, besides the conversion pieces, such as the hapless fellow’s jumpsuit zip and identity badge. So this chap has actually taken a bit longer to paint than I anticipated.
Experiment WIPs - Plenty of work yet to done on 'Hargreaves' and one of Chase's infected minions
I have also started painting the first of two (Failed Experiment) Scientist models. This one will hopefully represent Chase’s seemingly always unhappy, yet loyal, manservant Hargreaves. The butler actually met a decidedly dodgy death in the 1976 British Science Fiction television program as he was strangled by some of his master’s killer vines in the conservatory. Such a fate won’t befall my version of the black-suited servant however. Instead I’ve given the infected ‘silverware cleaner’ a nice tentacle and a ‘swollen’ large plastic “Games Workshop” hand.

Finally I’ve pushed this cracking sculpt of Chase’s mercenary ‘Scorby’ to the top of my painting queue and managed to get a good portion of the murderous fiend’s grey suit and black polo-neck sweater finished. Considering this character eventually ‘swapped sides’ and aided the Doctor in his battle against the Krynoid invasion, I now plan to use this villain as a gun-toting 'Survivor'. 

28 comments:

  1. I still don't know what to exactly make of those spawn sculpts, if I'm honest. Nicely painted, anyway :)

    The humans look really cool.

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    1. Cheers Roy. I rather like them (obviously) and certainly plan to pick up some more in the future for some other projects (and thus paint-jobs).

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    2. I do have to admit that the figures really are a conundrum to me. I've been sitting here looking at them and I just can't figure out if I like them or hate then, or even understand them. I don't think I've ever sat down and studied a miniature for so long before. I dare say its like when I hear a song for the first time and don't really take to it, but the more I hear it the more I come to appreciate it and then grow to admire.
      What a strange thing to write about little toy soldiers :))

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    3. You make perfect sense Roy. I wasn't that taken with the Scorby mini when I first saw it, and only bought it in order to be a completist. Now I've been painting him though I think he's a cracking sculpt.

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  2. Your Krynoids look very impressive, Simon. You'll be chuffed they're completed now. Fine work on your three WIP figures. I absolutely hate those oversized GW zombie hands but in this case, as a mutation, it works well on Hargreaves.

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    1. Thanks Bryan. I'm delighted that the Krynoids are finished tbh and the infected are far more fun to paint. Glad you like the mutations, I think the GW pieces work rather well for these guys.

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  3. Superb! Now to see them in action!

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    1. Cheers Gordon. November will doubtless see a few BatReps as I've a horde of models I want to get on the tabletop and game with :-)

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  4. More good progress on this project; it's all coming together well.
    I can't help but think of "Captain Haddock" as the figure you're using as "Scorby" !

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    1. Thanks Zabadak. I hadn't thought of Captain Haddock until your comment but I certainly see the similarity now you've mentioned it!! Indeed I quite fancy doing a "Tin Tin" party of survivors at some point now you've put the idea in my head...

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  5. As you've been sneaking in midweek posts, I thought I'd follow suit with one you will definitely find of interest. Great work on your krynoids and the rest of your miniatures are coming along nicely too. Should you require inspiration regarding scenery, specifically for conservatory/greenhouse elements, use this link - http://www.germy.co.uk/finishingconservatory.html - and be suitably impressed. Whilst you're there, take a look at his cybermen conversions, as they're pretty cool too!
    Regards Jez

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    1. Also, colour me disappointed I'm not on your list of blogs. :(

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    2. Cheers Jez. What a brilliant link and those real plants show some serious commitment by Germy. What a cracking conservatory layout :-)

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    3. Hmmm... Not sure why not Jez as I've been following you since I found your site - though do seem to have missed the odd posting!?! I've ensured you're excellent site is on show for all to see now though. Nice work on those Krynoid Fatties ;-)

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    4. Ta very much. Germy's site is well worth a browse, both for ideas to "borrow" and things to aspire to.

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    5. Absolutely. Been a fan of Germy's site since I first started blogging.

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  6. Captain Pugwash more like. XD

    Yet more lovely work mate. Really liking the black polo - grey suit choice.

    Bloody heck.. I was born in 1976....

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    1. Thanks Dai. The colour scheme comes from Scorby's mid-story attire, as he later goes with a grey polo-neck instead. Ah... you're just a nipper then ;-)

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  7. More excellent work on the plant-zombies; they should make for a great game! :)

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    1. Cheers PulpCitizen. Glad they are all done now though. On to the infected... and eventually the game...

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  8. I love the progress you are making Simon, but having now watched the series I can't get over just how good that Scorby is - brilliant.

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    1. Thanks Michael. I'm delighted you've now watched the series (get ready to watch a few more over the coming months as I've a few Doctor Who projects waiting in the wings ;-) ), and that you hopefully like the Scorby model as much as I.

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  9. Nice work Simon, the Krynoids look fab, and the Muto's are going to be showstoppers I think!

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. Its finally starting to take shape and my tabletop slowly starting to clear as we approach the half-way stage of Zomtober...

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  10. Fantastic job on the krynoids Bk! It's good to hear you've finished them. The runners are coming along nicely, the chap in the boilersuit looks really good. Your Scorby survivor looks a great character.
    Really looking forward to seeing this project come to fruition dude.

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    1. Thanks Bob. I'm glad I've finished the Krynoids too :-) Fingers crossed I should have some of the runners completed for Sunday's Zomtober posting, and the start of my fatties too...

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  11. I'd say Hargreaves' silverware polishing days are over.

    It all looks great, BK.

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    1. Cheers Finch. I'm really pleased with the way the conversions have worked out on these "Crooked Dice" sculpts :-)

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