Tuesday 8 November 2016

"In Some Mythologies, The Grim Reaper Causes The Victim's Death By Coming To Collect Him."

"People in some stories try to hold on to life by avoiding Death's visit."
This terrifyingly chilling 28mm scale resin statue of the Grim Reaper is made by "Wargames Terrain Workshop" and can be purchased from their Graveyard Scenery range. The model is an impressive 98mm tall and has been based on one of the thin-lipped 40mm circular bases I use as stands for my scenery/objective markers.

The figure was initially undercoated with an old pot of "Citadel" Adeptus Battlegrey and washed with Nuln Oil. It was then dry-brushed with more Adeptus Battlegrey and given a final highlight of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey. With the actual stone statue finished I painted the Grim Reaper's famous great scythe with a combination of "Vallejo" Brass and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. The over-sized farming tool was then dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Brass before its blade was partially washed with "Citadel" Nihilakh Oxide. These areas were subsequently, once again, dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Brass.
Apprentice WIPs - The amateur Wizard is slowly being painted from his grey leggings upwards
Despite my Mo'Vember challenge only really having just started I am already making some good progress on the third of my four submissions; a “Frostgrave” Apprentice (Enchanter) by “North Star Military Figures”. Slightly less-detailed than his wizardly master, this understudy's sculpt still packs plenty of craftsman's tools around his waist with which to test the impatient painter.

Fortunately, as with the Transmuter's model, I have decided to simply ‘pick out’ each of the amateur Imbuer's items one at a time as I work my way up the miniature. In addition I have decided to veer somewhat away from the Apprentice's colour scheme as illustrated within the "Frostgrave" rule-book, and replace his light brown garb with light grey so as to better mimic the clothing of his mentor.
Criminal Element WIPs - These clown-masked goons have simply been based and primed
Finally I have given in to temptation and purchased a handful of the new Criminal Element models from "Spectre Miniatures" "comprehensive range of extremely accurate modern 28mm miniatures and vehicles." These clown-faced heavily-armed thugs immediately struck me as being highly reminiscent of the not so jolly bank robbers depicted at the start of the 2008 super-hero movie "The Dark Knight", with the sculpt for Criminal Element Commando - Bravo making a suitable proxy for a 'realistic' Clown Prince of Crime.

As a result I plan to paint up a few of the rubber-headed goons, along with some appropriate 'Gotham-like' law enforcement specialists, and start using my "Battle Systems" Urban Apocalypse Terrain for some shoot-out shenanigans; potentially using either the recently updated "Kill Team" rules by "Games Workshop" or "7TV"... 

22 comments:

  1. I do like that Grim Reaper sculpture and great spot with the Spectre Miniatures. I might have to have a closer look at those myself.

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    1. Thanks Michael. A simple enough paint-job on a terrific sculpt!! Thought you might like the "Spectre Miniatures" models. I have a load from their Kickstarter gathering dust, so was desperately trying to avoid buying any more. But I could resist the Jokerz ;-)

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    1. Cheers Leon. More characterful scenery is always good in my books.

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  3. Love those Spectre minis Simon! The apprentice is coming along nicely. The grim reaper looks nice mate, nice work on the stone

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    1. Thanks Andy. Looks like both of us were painting statues this week :-)

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  4. Everything seems to be coming along very nicely.

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    1. Cheers Clint. I like to keep a few projects trickling along at once if I can.

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  5. A very impressive Grim Reaper. Those mask wearing goons are so cool. I have a few Spectre miniatures myself and they produce some very good figures.

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    1. Thanks Bryan. I must finish off that wonderful "Horrorclix" Grim Reaper you kindly gifted me. He's currently on my table just awaiting some TLC. You may see a lot of "Spectre Miniatures" on my blog in 2017 if I can get the momentum going.

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  6. love the clowns and the grim reaper is a nice piece of work, think Homer Simpson was better Grim Reaper though

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  7. The grim reaper is a cracking figure!

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    1. Thanks Fran. Much appreciated and great VFM.

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  8. These all look good to me, *save for the reaper over-sized scythe)

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    1. Cheers Joe. If you're gonna go through, it might as well be courtesy of a gigantic scythe ;-)

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  9. When do we get to see a full on graveyard? Between the gravestones and gargoyles and now Reaper you should be able to set up quite a sullen display by now eh?

    Nice work on the apprentice. Little by little - that's the best way to tackle lots of potentially overbearing detail in my experience.

    I really like those clown masked robbers mate. Never seen the sculpts before, but they are dead on representations for the thugs in the Batman film for sure. I'm off to check out to see what else Specter offers.

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    1. Many thanks Dai. I have some walls, a mausoleum, more gargoyles and gates to paint yet, but there will be a group shot soon... just before the Doctor and Sarah Jane enter to battle the Krynoids ;-)

      The Apprentice is coming along slowly but surely - I hope!!

      "Spectre Miniatures" have a whole range of models I really like, so there should be plenty of WIPs to tempt you over the next few months.

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  10. The Criminal Elements figs are brilliant!

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