Tuesday 23 February 2016

"This Whole Thing Was A Trap."

"Besides it looks like the bones were bent straight out."
This rather large 40mm pre-painted plastic "Wizkids" model of an Alien is from the "Horrorclix" AVP Alien Verses Predator: Aliens Collector's Set. The sculpt is based upon the extra-terrestrials which attacked Charles Bishop's doomed expedition to Antarctica in the 2004 science-fiction horror film "Alien Verses Predator", and like the vast majority of my "Horrorclix" collection was generously gifted to me by Bryan from the "Vampifan's World Of The Undead" website.

The miniature originally came complete with a hapless scientist as part of a small vignette. But as I initially planned on just using the Alien I removed it from the model's 'clicky base' and set about trying to work out whether I could also detach the "serpent" as well. After a bit of head-scratching it became evident that the creature would be hard to place upon an essentially flat-surfaced stand without it's pose looking especially odd. So I eventually decided to leave the monster attached to his ornately carved Inca-inspired stone column and simply superglue the assemble onto a thin-lipped circular 40mm bases in order for me to use it as an Alien spawn marker.
"The hunters would battle with these great serpents to prove themselves worthy to carry the mark."
Having decided how I was going to use the model on the tabletop I gave the vicious monster an undercoat of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and subsequently dry-brushed the model with "Vallejo" German Grey. Once I was satisfied I had 'highlighted' all of the Alien's well-sculpted detail I washed the figure with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and then applied a second, significantly lighter dry-brush of "Vallejo" German Grey over its more prominently raised surfaces. The Alien's mouth was painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, whilst its head's carapace was given a coat of Abaddon Black.


Finally I painted the Alien's stone column using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. This piece of scenery was then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Heavy Brown.

In addition to my Alien spawn marker I have also painted three more of the Xenomorph drones which Weyland and his team encountered deep beneath Bouvet Island. These Aliens were all painted in exactly the same way as all my other "Horrorclix" models of the endoparasitoid extraterrestrial arthropodal species.
Daughter Of S.H.I.V.A. WIPs - These masters of unarmed combat will all be dressed in purple with grey fur
With the Sixth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge now heading towards its home straight I have started to turn my attention towards the last of the miniatures I want to submit as entries into one of the event's side-challenges, namely the Pulp Challenge. This four-way 'fist-fight' will determine who can paint the most points in Pulp adventure figures, with the competition's winner receiving a painted figure from each of the vanquished.

To begin with I'll actually be starting with three models I only purchased recently, on account of "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" finally (and fleetingly) making their Daughter of S.H.I.V.A. (classic) sculpts available again. Ultimately, when I can purchase some additional models, I plan to use these "lithe, beautiful, agile and extremely deadly... female assassins" as minions for my "Heroclix" Lady Shiva. But for now they'll simply suffice as some of the more colourfully-costumed pulp goons for my Evil Mastermind.

24 comments:

  1. Lovely aliens again mate!

    The ladies look like 60's business. Not for fun at all.

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    1. Thanks Dai. Really happy with how they've turned out. They've certainly encouraged me to pick up some of the new resin sculpts from "Prodos" so I can add to their number and variety. All they need is a female nemesis to take them on ;-)

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  2. Liking the Aliens.

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  3. Those Aliens really are good Simon, now about this 'fist fight'! Cracking start on the ladies, looking forward to more pulpy goodness.

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    1. Cheers Michael. Early days on the Pulpy ladies yet, and I've a few "Frostgrave" figures to finish off too. But I've a fair half a dozen sets of Bob Murch minis marching your way ;-)

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  4. Those girls mean business! Lovely sculpts

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  5. I think you were right both to leave the first Alien you showed on the pillar and to remove the human. Good call!
    I do like your Daughters of Shiva but I'm not sure I need them. I have spent quite a lot on CDG figures this month already so my wallet would appreciate a break! :-)

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    1. Cheers Bryan, and once again many thanks for sending me these wonderful minis. Hopefully I've done them justice. The human was simply too large to fit in with the rest of my "Heroclix" so sadly had to go. Unfortunately I could only get three of the daughters of Shiva before they sold out again, so your wallet is safe... for now ;-)

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  6. Looking good, Simon.

    It's a nice pose on the alien clinging to the column. You made the right choice leaving him as is

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    1. Thanks Finch. I certainly think it makes for an excellent Alien spawn marker.

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  7. Aliens are looking excellent mate. :)

    Right chocie to keep the column I think. :)

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    1. Cheers Pulp Citizen. I was torn about doing it tbh as I wanted the Alien as a mini as opposed to a Spawn marker. but now I've got my hands on some of the "Prodos" Aliens, I feel much better about the decision.

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  8. More Alien goodness from Mr Moore! So, which Ripley are you going to go for? Crooked Dice, Hasslefree or eM-4? Of course, Hasslefree has Newt as well...
    And I have to say I prefer the 'classic' Daughters of Shiva over the newer sculpts, so good choice.
    And don't worry, I will actually be posting some figures this week, rather than fiction, including something rather...monstrous.

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    1. Thanks Jez. Dai is very kindly sending me my not-Ripley as a gift, so you'll have to wait and see :-) The size difference between the classic and updated daughters is quite pronounced, and although infinitely more dynamic I don't like the new ones as much as the old either - I do have them all though. Looking forward to seeing what you come up, and hopefully I'll find a slot to post those Nagrubs some time soon (they're finished already!!).

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  9. Nice stuff as always Simon, that alien spawn marker is superb, and the Shiva girls are fun (in the Tarantino sense of course!!).

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. The Aliens have come out well as a group, and I'm looking forward to getting them involved in a BatRep as soon as I can. The SHIVA girls are nice aren't they :-)

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  10. Got to love them bugs they look so menacing. Great start on the Daughters as well. I must try and get some of them!

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    1. Thanks Simon. Hoping to get some of the "Prodos" Aliens painted up in the near future too. The classic daughters of SHIVA are a bit frustrating tbh for as soon as "Crooked Dice" get some more the classic sculpts cast than they're out of stock :-/

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  11. Lovely looking xenomorphs Simon! The one on the pillar is a spectacular model. I do hope we'll see them in action soon. I really like the purple you've gone for on the daughters. Can't wait to see them finished.

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    1. Cheers Bob. I'm delighted with the Aliens too, and a big shout out to Vampifan for such an awesome gift :-) Delighted you like the purple colour scheme of the SHIVA daughters. Hopefully it'll make them stand out on the tabletop - unless they're teamed up with the Joker of course ;-)

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