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| "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.
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| 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”.
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| 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".
I do love that toad! However how on earth does an amphibian survive/move around in snow? :-P
ReplyDeleteThanks 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!! :-)
DeleteExcellent work on the Ice Toad. :)
ReplyDeleteCheers PulpCitizen. Slowly making my way through the "Frostgrave" bestiary.
DeleteThe ice toad looks superb Michael, now where did I leave my face blusher pad? :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael. A face blusher pad is now an essential part of my painting kit I assure you :-)
DeleteThe toads are excellent!
ReplyDeleteCheers Fran. Much appreciated :-)
DeleteA 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..."
ReplyDeleteMany 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 ;-)
DeleteGreat job on the Ice Toad...that's a particularly necrotic shade of white you've got there!
ReplyDeleteCheers Gordon. I was very tempted just to paint him green tbh. But now am glad I stuck with white and a grey wash.
DeleteYep, 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.
ReplyDeleteEighteen more Nagrubs! you don't do things by halves do you!.
Cheers Roger.
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.
Delete"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
180 to be exact.
DeletePrecisely :-)
DeleteAs 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.
ReplyDeleteCheers 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 ;-)
DeleteAwesome 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
ReplyDeleteThanks 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 :-)
DeleteThe toad looks ace, Simon. The face-blusher-pad's new to me. Just the thing for the job, it seems.
ReplyDeleteCheers Finch. The face blusher certainly lets you blend in colours both quickly and, imho, effectively.
DeleteI believe that toad has a side career as a mime!
ReplyDeleteLove it though, frog(toad)'s leg's is back on the menu boys!
Thanks Dai. The Ice Toad is a great sculpt :-)
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