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| "When Star One is gone it is finished, Blake. And I want it finished." |
This 28mm model of "an embezzler and computer
expert, recently escaped from captivity", is produced by “Crooked Dice Game
Design Studio” and can be bought together with "a female psychic, full of
hatred for the Federated Security" and their "Box supercomputer"
as code SKU: Deal 44 from their Future Freedom Fighters range. Grim-faced and
adorned in a costume similar to that worn by actor Paul Darrow in the February
1978 "Blake's Seven" television episode "Project Avalon",
the miniature makes a terrific proxy for the Liberator crewman Kerr Avon.
As
the figure was predominantly black he was initially undercoated with
"Citadel" Abaddon Black before his trousers were heavily dry-brushed
with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal. This area was then heavily washed with
"Citadel" Nuln Oil. In order to make his belt and pouches stand out a
little from his tunic, these items were also painted "Vallejo" Heavy
Charcoal and shaded with "Citadel Nuln Oil". Avon's belt-buckle,
teleporter bracelet and inner garment were given an appropriate coat of
"Citadel" Ironbreaker" or “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey, and
then (once again) washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The Liberator's
communicator was additionally treated to some “The Army Painter” Strong
Tone Quickshade so as to make it appear somewhat bronze in colour, as per the
bracelets' appearance in the BBC science fiction programme.
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| Re-basing The Undead - Lots of damaged legs have been repainted on these models |
In addition to
finishing my model of Kerr Avon I have re-based and re-painted three more of
my old “Copplestone Castings” figures in order to help get them back onto my
tabletop. Two of the models come from Code FW4 Plague Zombies, and simply
required some work on their belt buckles, trousers, gashed knees as well as the
odd bloody lower leg. Whilst the third figure is from Code FW23 Zombie Trooper
and required a far more substantial re-paint on his firearm, bloody arm and
trousers.
I've just a few more of these long-time suffering miniatures left to
re-work and then I'm hoping to start adding to my already sizable Undead horde
with some more "Copplestone Castings" walking cadavers that I never
got round to painting the first time. I'm planning that all these models, along
with several other packets from Mark's Future Wars range, will help me populate
some grisly tabletops inspired by the 2015 motion picture "Mad Max: Fury
Road".
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| Weird West WIPs - Black undercoat with a Heavy Charcoal dry-brush has helped bring out these models' details |
Finally, thanks entirely to the fiendishly diabolical
Bryan Scott over at "Vampifan's World Of The Undead", I have started
another (smallish) project concerning the Weird West using the wonderfully
detailed resin sculpts produced by "Black Scorpion Miniatures".
To
begin with I've limited myself to the company's original four Earps (already
OOP and replaced by their Earps II post "Salute 2016"), five Outlaws
and four Wild West Horrors. As the figures will be painted predominantly black,
brown and green respectively, I am sort of hoping that they won't take too long
before they're finished...
Very nice Simon, I do like the way you pretend that the crooked dice figures are just coincidentally identical to the TV B7 cast (no copy write infringement there eh!)
ReplyDeleteI do like those Copplestone Zom's, perhaps I should have picked some of them up at Salute as well with my pre-order, And those cowboys are little stars, I've seen them on Bryan's site and do like the look of them.
But isn't there something else you should be posting about....
Cheers Roger.
Many thanks Roger. Its good to get another of the Liberator Crew done, and such a nicely sculpted mini of him too. Just in time for the posting of my latest "AvB7" BatRep too ;-)
DeleteI would send you some of my "Copplestone Castings zeds. But I'm going to have need of them. However the next time I order some "Future Wars" from "North Star Military Figures" I'll be sure you get some for you if you want? Least I can do for you my friend :-)
Bryan is clearly a very bad influence on me. but hopefully these Weird West minis will be momentary distractions, and will paint up both swiftly and soon, so I can concentrate upon other projects. I do fancy a "Pillow A-Go-Go" Old Wild West style though ;-)
"Forgotten Heroes" is definitely not eh... forgotten, Roger. I simply didn't feel that three pictures of "Heroclix" Lackeys with bobble hats would do your and Jez's idea justice, until they were at least partially painted. Sunday's posting will be far more heavily influenced with that challenge I assure you.
That is terribly kind of you sir, but I couldn't ask you to do that, especially as I can't seem to find the copy of "Avon a terrible aspect" I was going to send you anywhere, I have a horrible feeling it went to the charity shop a while back.
DeleteCheers Roger.
Its not a problem Roger as it won't be happening any time soon, due to me owning so many other "Copplestone Castings" minis I want to paint first. Thanks for thinking of me Ref Avon book. I'll be keeping an eye for that one myself.
DeleteVery nice, Simon. That's the trouble with visiting Bryan's blog - you see it there and before you know it, it's on your doormat! I now want some 70's cops and robbers AND some Chibi figures...
ReplyDeleteAnd Roger - this is Simon we're talking about... he'll knock up a quartet of supers before month's end AND finish off half a dozen other figures AND announce another "little project" AND post at least one Batrep. He might even slip in a reference to 'The Seeds of Doom', as in "I really ought to finish...;-)
Most kind of you Jez. Sadly I have already succumbed to the Seventies Cops/Robbers and Chibi figures. So expect them soon as "another 'little project'" ;-)
DeleteI've a few "Heroclix" models I'm waiting on for "Forgotten Heroes". But to start I'm looking at five simple Lackeys, given bobble hats, so they can work for as Sixties goons for Mister Freeze. Plus I've been saving my Imperator Furiosa conversion for this month too. Hopefully once they're painted, some of my bits & bobs will have arrived.
The third (and final) part of my latest "AvB7" BatRep is simply waiting for me to hit the publish button, so expect that next week some time, and you're quite right, I do have the first of my "Cosmic Cube Wars" AARs to do this month too ;-)
"Seeds Of Doom" is also on the horizon, if I can just find the time to settle down and batch paint a load of "Mantic" scenery. And then there are the other five or so projects I need to get working on... including more "Doctor Who", "Battlestar Galactica" and "Dice Masters"!?!
I am really struggling not to place na order with Crooked Dice at the memento and seeing Avon is really not helping Simon! Lovely work Sir.
ReplyDeleteCheers Michael. I'm a huge fan of "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", so rarely don't immediately order their new releases. That was the case with Avon... though its taken a few years to finally paint him up!!
DeleteCrooked Dice's Blake's 7 stuff has always been high on my wish list. Lovely job on Avon! Also look forward to seeing the Weird West gunslingers all painted up!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gordon. Much appreciated. I too am looking forward to (finally) having some Western gunslingers painted and on my tabletop.
DeleteYou're so busy Simon and your output is phenomenal!
ReplyDeleteCheers Andy. Its chaps like you that keep me busy... tempting me with all your "Bushido" minis ;-)
DeleteI am such a bad influence, aren't I? *Chuckles maniacally!* It's great to see all of these figures you're working on, Simon. The CDG figure is a perfect replica for Kerr Avon.
ReplyDeleteZombies in a "Mad Max: Fury Road" setting certainly attracted my attention. This sounds like a really fun project that'll be right up my street. Bring it on!
Mmmm, as you know I am a huge fan of Black Scorpion's "Tombstone" range. Indeed it is fair to say that I want them all and I'm looking forward to the launch of their "Tombstone" Kickstarter coming later this year. Apparently, they'll be producing 100 new figures (maybe more) plus a rulebook to go with them. Sounds good to me. Your starter sets you have are all excellent choices. I look forward to seeing them finished. What a terrific post!
Many thanks Bryan. Glad you enjoyed the post. Lots going on and I'm certainly hoping to have Avon feature in a BatRep soon. "Mad Max: Fury Road" should pick up some pace this month as my Furiosa is painted as part of the "Forgotten Heroes" challenge. Plus I'd like to have some of these "Black Scorpion" minis finished quickly, so I can assess whether a "Tombstone" kickstarter is good to go or not. Bearing in mind I also really want to get going with "Rum'N'Bones" before "Rail Raiders" arrives...
DeleteNicely done on Avon. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite member of the cast as I was introduced to them 9in a series after Blake was no longer there). :)
Nice work on the Undead too. :)
Cheers PulpCitizen. I too am was a post-Blake devotee of the show. Although I've since watched the first season more times than I care to remember; especially the opening three episodes - classic stuff. Glad you like the Undead too. Still a few more to re-base and re-paint. But I'm getting there :-)
DeleteCall me culturally deprived, but my only knowledge of "Blake's Seven" comes from your posts. Terrific looking mini though.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your continuing efforts to resurrect those Copplestone undead.
Thanks Finch. At least my "Blake's Seven" posts have made you aware of one of the classic BBC TV sci-fi shows of all-time, and I'm glad you're enjoying the minis. The "Copplestone Castings" repaints/re-basing are labours of love without a doubt, and will be well worth it, once they're done and on the tabletop.
DeletePainting any figure that's predominantly black is difficult, but you done an excellent job on your version of "aon" - a charaxcter I never really liked, but then again iirc we weren't meant to !
ReplyDeleteCheers Joe, glad you (dis)like Avon. Hopefully he'll be able to convince you otherwise in a BatRep or two ;-)
DeleteKerr is a great addition. I like his pose.
ReplyDeleteThose zombies certainly delighted my son. Apparently now, I have to get him some. Thanks a bunch.
Black Scorpion make some fine western sculpts. Have yet to find a reason to do so, but I have some western theme'd Reaper Bones minis sat in my queue to paint up. But why, when I have so many other things to get through first? Heh.
Thanks Dai. I actually didn't like this mini when I first saw it, as the "Crooked Dice" painted version is wearing green for some reason. However, once I realised he should be in one of his infamous black costumes I thought he was great. The Season Four Avon though is an absolute cracker too.
DeleteHah! You can never have too many zeds my friend, and despite many seemingly disliking Mark Copplestone's old sculpts, I think they're great - I certainly wouldn't be re-basing/re-painting them, so as to give them a second life if I thought them substandard.
The only reason I thought I'd buy some "Black Scorpion" was Bryan posting his on his blog. They looked so good!! I've seen the "Reaper" ones as well though, and reckon they'd make a nice diversion from your ACW and Winter Russians ;-)