"And Now, Young Skywalker… You Will Die."

"Once more the Sith will rule the galaxy, and we shall have peace."

This 35mm tall hard plastic miniature of Darth Sidious is produced by “Fantasy Flight Games” and can be found inside the company's Emperor Palpatine Commander Expansion for "Star Wars: Legion". "Scheming, powerful, and evil to the core", the Sith Lord was originally played by actress Marjorie Eaton in Irvin Kershner's 1980 American epic space opera film "The Empire Strikes Back", with Clive Revill providing his voice.

The "primary antagonist of the Star Wars franchise” was initially undercoated using a double layer of "Vallejo" Black and then heavily dry-brushed with some Heavy Charcoal. I then applied some “Citadel” Nuln Oil to the Emperor’s inner clothing so as to darken it down, but decided against applying any shading to his outer robes in the hope it would provide the figure with something akin to the bluish hue the character is often seen emanating…

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - A Giant Ape and X-Commando

I took some excellent advice from Dave Stone (“The Game Cupboard") and ‘picked out’ the former Supreme Chancellor’s skin using a combination of “Citadel” Rakarth Flesh and Reikland Fleshshade, before applying a tiny amount of Druchii Violet beneath Sheev’s sunken eyes. Finally, I pigmented Palpatine’s walking staff with “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and later washed it with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade.

Stepping away from science fiction to horror hobbying, I have recently found myself playing a few games of the “Resident Evil 2: The Board Game” by “Steamforged Games”, and despite enjoying the rules enormously have found myself significantly underwhelmed by its slightly under-sized, soft plastic miniatures. Having previously settled upon “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” to help sate my desire for replacement models, I have started work on a quartet of the company’s (Department) X-Commandos for my heroes, and their formidably-sized Giant Ape as a potential danger which may be encountered lurking within the abandoned Umbrella Corporation central laboratory…

"Toon Realms" WIPs - Lord Rascal, an Icky Spider and Pootle the Wizard

In addition, I have taken ownership of (yet) another consignment of figures from “Lucid Eye Publications” so as to help me complete my twenty-four point strong ‘Evil Army’ for “Dragon Rampant”. Amongst these ‘reinforcements’ were a consignment of Lord Rascal’s Icky Spiders, and I have resultantly spent a little time testing out a straightforward paint scheme on one of the not so little arachnids.

Ultimately I intend to field two six-model strong Lesser Warbeast units of these furry fiends, and planned on pigmenting them in a myriad of eye-watering colours. However, having permanently based the spiders and ascertained just how little clearance my brush tip will have in order to reach their underbellies I’m currently erring on the side of sanity with a simple dry-brushed black(ish) palette with angry red eyes and off-white fangs. I have though decided to also progress the great Necromancer himself, Lord Rascal, as well as his arch-magical nemesis, Pootle The Wizard, and hope to have at least one of these ‘mystic art masters’ far more colourfully attired.