"Quarry In Range. Eliminate."

"Target detected."

This 28mm scale pre-painted plastic model of TESS-One is by “Wizkids” and can be bought as number 027 from their Marvel “Heroclix” Age Of Ultron range. Created and published by both Mark Gruenwald and artist Mike Zeck in September 1986, this giant "special robot" was built by Professor Schumann in case an army of super-soldiers, like Captain America, returned home after World War Two and took over the United States. Eventually abandoned in a bomb shelter underneath its late inventor's residence, the  Adamantium-armoured machine would be activated and attempt to neutralise the Sentinel of Liberty in "Captain America" Annual 8.

"TESS-One battles Captain America and some New York City cops

90mm in height, TESS-One was first 'cut' from it's somewhat diminutive 'clicky-base' and super-glued to a "Games Workshop" 50mm circular stand. The model was primed with two coats of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and subsequently washed with Nuln Oil. I then spent a good thirty minutes patiently dry-brushing Schumann's robot with more Ironbreaker. The sculpt's detail was rather soft in places so I ensured that there was very little paint on my brush each time I drew it across the figure preferring to build-up the 'effect' rather than lazily apply a single heavy application. Once this process was complete, I used the same brush to 'polish' the flatter areas of the model. Finally I 'picked out' the automaton's face plate with Abaddon Black and applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to its menacing eye-sensors.

Grey Aliens WIPs - The extra-terrestrials have all been undercoat with "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey

In addition to my submission for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge Armour Bonus Round I have also 'pulled out' the next selection of miniatures by "Copplestone Castings" I plan to paint as part of my "Mad Max" project. Like the Terminator Robots I've previously finished, these Grey Aliens are part of Mark's "Non-Humans" "Future Wars" range, and should prove relatively straightforward to finish on account of their diminutive size.

Likewise I've dipped into my "Black Tree Design" drawer for some more "Doctor Who" themed models, and inspired by the "Big Finish" audio story "Domain Of The Voord" have prepped, primed and started painting Yartek and six of his fellow Voord. With the exception of their "commando-style knives" the semi-aquatic extra-terrestrials are actually entirely black in colour on account of their scuba-diving bodysuits, and such make for a rather uninspiring painting subject.

Voord WIPs - The plunderers of Marinus have been primed, dry-brushed and had some details 'picked out'

However, in order to try and break up their monochromatic monotony I have decided to pick out their eye lenses, belts and small diving weights with grey and their belt-buckles in silver. The entire models will also be dry-brushed in Charcoal and finally be washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil to try and tie all the different pigments together.

Fortunately, the model of the Voord's leader isn't quite so 'dull' a subject to paint as "Black Tree Design" have sculpted him wearing the robe of Arbitan; the Keeper of the Conscience of Marinus, whom the alien brutally murdered and momentarily replaced. Admittedly his 'imperious' gown is still predominantly one colour, but he's also wearing the guardian's nicely detailed golden medallion of office, and this should make a good contrast to the rest of the grey-scale frogmen.