Tuesday 1 August 2017

"I Now Have Control Over You, Doctor."

"All I need do is threaten the woman's death for you to obey me."
This 40mm tall metal Cyberman figure is sold by “Warlord Games” and forms part of their awesome "Nightmares In Silver" Cybermen Collector's Set 1966-2013. Sculpted to resemble the "race of cyborgs" after the programme's designers "opted to use converted flight suits for their bodies which were painted silver", this miniature depicts the Doctor's adversaries during the March 1982 television serial "Earthshock"; a four-parter which not only saw the Cybermen crash a space-freighter into the Earth, but also the death of long-running companion, Adric.

The miniature was initially primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before receiving two layers of Ironbreaker and a wash of Nuln Oil. The figure's eyes and square-shaped interior chest-piece were then darkened with a small amount of Abaddon Black, before the entire model was dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker.
Sea Devils WIPs - The Aquatic Silurians have had their legs layered, dry-brushed and washed
Encouraged by the sight of the model's "Into The Time Vortex" publicity photograph, which shows its cyber-gun containing a beautifully detailed red glow, I subsequently painted the area on my figure's weapon similarly using a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red. Alas my own brushwork was far from as successful, and, upon returning the firearm to its earlier 'silver state', I settled upon a compromise, courtesy of a couple of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson washes...  

"Warlord Games" continue to tantalise and tease with its "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" miniatures range, boasting that both a "Time Warrior" and an Eleventh Doctor & Companions boxed set are potential September releases, now 'they've been approved by the BBC.' This seemingly frantic forthcoming release schedule is genuinely proving a real motivator for me to get my half dozen Sea Devils finished, and resultantly, I've already got all the slimy lowers limbs of Jon Pertwee's famous 'Sea Silurians' painted.
Stone Golem WIPs - The "archaic, armoured warrior" has been undercoated, shaded and highlighted
Despite so much focus upon my collection of "Into The Time Vortex" figures, I have still managed to get cracking on a couple of Stone Golem's by "Reaper Miniatures". These construct creatures are from the Lake Dallas-based company's "Bones" Range, and will hopefully spend their time, once flocked appropriately with grass or snow, trampling down adventurers in both my "Metamorphosis Alpha" and "Gamma World" campaigns. 

For now however, the instantly recognisable "Dungeons & Dragons" monsters have simply been primed, washed, and dry-brushed, as well as had the base layer of their aging bronze adornments applied to the relevant areas. To be honest, I was partially tempted to simply leave the 'towering stone automatons' entirely "Citadel" Charadon Granite in colour, but the formidably-sized plastic models arguably deserve a far more impressive paint scheme.

34 comments:

  1. Very nicely done Simon, I like the look of those Sea Devils too.

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    1. Thanks Michael. The Sea Devils are one of "Warlord Games" best imho.

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  2. Another excellent Cyberman, and one of the generation I was most familiar with as a youngster - in other words a 'classic' in my book. Excellent stuff Simon. :)

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    1. Cheers Leon. I've a few more classic Cybermen to post, but next up is that start of "G.I. Joe" month... and we all know who to blame for that!! ;-)

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  3. The cyberman look's great Simon, the sea devil is progressing well. We spoke previously about a green wash over the skin, having found some reference pictures, don't apply to the top of the head or face as this was pure brown, also add small area's of blue wash n the neck and head fins as I've found that in the pics as well. interesting Golems

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    1. Thanks Dave. I have made a bit more progress on my pilot Sea Devil since that WIP was compiled, including putting some of the green around the fins etc. There's a corking "Warlord Games" paint-job with this technique, and I thought it should work as well as I think the limbs did.

      Great idea with the wash though, I'll give that try - I'm so very glad you take the time to give all these top-tips, I need to slow down posting/painting to see what you suggest next :-)

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    2. No problem mate, always happy to help but don't slow your momentum on your projects

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  4. Sea devils are one of my all time Dr Who Favourites. Good to see them getting a look in. If you want to paint more I will not objet!

    The Silver menace is also good. (But Sea Devils win IMHO)

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    1. Cheers Clint. I've got six of the Sea Devils to do, but have cracked on with one model to use as a test piece. More of the "Silver Menace" to come too.

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  5. A nice selection of your current projects Simon, and Cybermen certainly seem to have captured your imagination lately. They are rater impressive though aren`t they. Very interesting and tantalisingly tempting to hear that Warlord Games are planning on a "Time Warrior" and an "Eleventh Doctor & Companions" boxed set. We will give this a miss as we are more than happy with Exterminate as it is, including all the extra stat cards covered in this and the other 2 big box sets. The 10th and 12 Doctor and companion sets more than flesh out this game in the directions we hoped, and as the game is very `combat` oriented, we are happy playnig the game as is, straight out of the box, as a very action based rules lite boardgame. For a more solid rpg experience, we are deeply happy with our more thematically TV show accurate Cubicle 7 RPG game rules, which more than fulfils our needs in that area too, and as our favourite Doctors (and companions) come from the 10th and 12th era anyway, this couldn't wave worked out better for us: as both sets of stat cars are included in teh cool Exterminate box anyway. Fleshing out the Cubicle 7 rpg game is easier, as we ca turn to our existing collection for that (or sculpt them ourselves) to `fill out the corners` with any additional miniature needs. Though I am sure there will be many things WG make in the future we will just HAVE to get for ourselves. Its all about choices really Simon, hehe. WOold love to collect it all, but our current budget is going haywire buying up for Touch of Honour (that`s his baby) and our growing mad passion for Star Wars Imperial Assault: which is eating up all spare cash right now LOL.

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    1. "Warlord Games" have been incredibly supportive of this blog, Hils, and all thanks to your suggestion to contact then over a dodgy Dalek ;-) As a result I am currently trying to return the favour by publicising all their plans for their "Doctor Who" range, so its great to hear there is some interest in such teases.

      Glad to see you're enjoying "Cubicle 7" RPG game, and I'm delighted it has finally arrived. They did say they had a bit of an order backlog, so its great to know its in your hands at last. Did you take up the stunning "Humble Bundle" offer perchance?

      I almost pulled the trigger on "Test Of Honour" myself the other day, when I saw the new releases, and read some of the background to the characters... and as for "Imperial Assault", well I seem to recall Roger making C-3PO and R2-D2 from that game, my best minis of 2016 :-)

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  6. just a small `touch of Honour` huh Hils hehe ^^ I love it *chuckles*

    Yeah my ToH is pretty complete for the the being, its your bl***y Star Wars Imperial Assault which is wiping us out atm *grins* but I`m not bothered, in fact I`m smiling ear to ear like a Cheshire Cat, as it means when the next wave of "Test of Honour" hits the shelves, its MY TIME babyyyyy, wooot!!!

    Love the Cyber dudes Simon, they sure are growing nicely. The Sea Devils are looking suitably devilish, and your Stone Golem looks staggering. I`ll be interested to see what you finally decide to do with him - simple granite or a more obvious (impressive) paint scheme.

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    1. Thanks Steve, your infectious enthusiasm for "ToH" is tempting me currently, and only a backlog of "Doctor Who" is keeping me strong :-) The Stone Golems will of course contain "a more obvious (impressive) paint scheme" - I hope!!

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    2. Yes I`ll be keeping a close eye out for that Stone Golem, I`m intrigued to see what you do with him. ToH really is very addictive Simon, beware. Once you start it pulls you in, sucking you deeper and deeper into an entire mythology of Japanese wonders... any number of which will thrill, chill, and delight you: probably just inspire you in addictive abundance: from books, films, and amazing fable and fairy tale.

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    3. "Once you start it pulls you in, sucking you deeper and deeper into an entire mythology" - and these sort of comments are helping me stay strong how exactly!?! :-)

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    4. HAHAHAHHAHAahahahahahahaa, point taken ^^

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  7. Excellent brushwork as ever Simon, and the mini "tutorials" describing your technique are much appreciated ta!

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    1. Cheers Wargame Addict. I always like to start with a wee tutorial, even if they just remind me how I painted the model :-)

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  8. The sea devils are looking fab mate and that golem.....phew he's a beaut!

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    1. Thanks Andy. Hopefully the golems will look even more impressive once the bronzework is finished and aged.

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  9. Great work on all of your figures, Simon. You obviously have a great passion for the Warlord Games Doctor Who range, and I can't blame you for that.

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    1. Cheers Bryan. I think our blogs are currently both mirroring the impressive number of "Doctor Who" models "Warlord Games" are currently churning out. Its all good stuff in my books, though part of me wishes they'd slow down a little so I can catch back up!!

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  10. Nice work once again. I do like the little history lessons you include regarding the evolution of the Cyberman, in real world terms.

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    1. Thanks Mark. I always like to include a little bit of 'behind-the-scenes' stuff whenever posting about a TV character. I find it more interesting than the pseudo sci-fi history stuff, and these "Earthshock" Cybermen were stunning on the TV screen imho.

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  11. All nice stuff Simon, I like the Sea Devils (but no I'm not going to buy some). Those golems look at treat, and will look stunning once complete.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. I didn't think you'd be getting into "Into The Time Vortex" just yet, not until the Second Doctor & Companions boxed set is released anyway ;-)

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  12. Either you post flippin often or I read posts at a tortoise-like rate? I seem to be playing catch-up on your blog on a regular basis. :)

    Reaper Bones minis are such a good bargain and are pretty decent quality too as long as you don't want to see the crisp detail your pictured Who minis show. . Golems are always a fun addition to a story, rpg or otherwise. Misfit magics gone awry.

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    1. Thanks Dai. Well I paint at "a tortoise-like rate", so I'm not sure what the answer to your question is ;-) The Stone Golems are splendid additions to my "D&D" collection imho, and once painted, should see quite a bit tabletop action :-)

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  13. Nice work on the DW figures, Simon, especially the Cyberman. Whilst The Sea Devils are accurate likenesses, I was never really a gan of these creatures. However, they're better than the goldfish like Black Tree ones...hmm, now THAT'S an idea...lol.

    As for that Stone Golem, I've had my eye on that figure for a while, either as a 'Living Monolith' proxy or an animated jade statue for Oriental gaming...or maybe both. How tall is it?

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    1. Cheers Jez. Glad you like the Cybermen. I think the Sea Devils are spot on likenesses of their TV counterparts, so if you weren't a fan of them on TV I get that you won't like the minis. As for the Stone Golem, they're 48mm tall and as "Bones" minis vfm imho.

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  14. The "sea devils" I vaguely remember and always good to see more of your cybermen!

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    1. Thanks Joe. I'm a big fan of the sea devils, and there's plenty more Cybermen to come :-)

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  15. Your certainly cranking your way through your DW collection Simon keep up the good work.

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    1. Cheers Simon. These "Into The Time Vortex" minis are very inspirational, so its easy to keep going, and slot a few of the older sculpts into the queue too.

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