Saturday 13 July 2019

"I Was A Doctor Myself Once..."

"...Before the study of androids took over my life."
This 28mm metal miniature of the "outlaw who specialised in androids" is produced by “Black Tree Design", and can be bought as Code DW516 Sharaz Jek from the manufacturer's "Doctor Who" miniatures range. Scarred as a result of "his dealings with Morgus" and cursed "to wear a mask to hide the disfigurement" the facially-mutilated villain appeared in Robert Holmes' March 1984 BBC Television story "The Caves Of Androzani".

Originally primed with two layers of "Citadel" Abaddon Black I actually found this rather slightly-proportioned and diminutive figure of Sharaz Jek something of an enigma in that the sculpt initially appeared to show the former doctor without his famous mask and instead simply depicted the gruesome injuries he suffered following his immersion in boiling hot mud. However, upon a much closer study, all the lumps and bumps over his face were apparently just the small studs seen of his head-wear and had clearly just been over-exaggerated on the miniature. 
"Dungeons & Dragons" WIP - The Froghemoth has been re-based and primed
As a result I carefully applied some "Vallejo" Dead White to his mask, and later delicately washed it with Pale Grey, in an attempt to replicate the rather unique markings of the costume worn by the late Christopher Michael Gable. For sanity's sake however, I didn't attempt to copy the thin-lined pattern precisely, and ultimately settled upon a close approximation which from the tabletop would still clearly earmark the model out as Morgus' ex-business partner.

Unlike the insane terrorist's androids, several of which I've previously painted already, I also decided not to dry-brush his clothing with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal or heavily wash his leather attire in "Citadel" Nuln Black. Instead I simply left the figure predominantly "Citadel" Abbadon Black, with a solitary "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade hand on show crossing his waist.
"Dungeons & Dragons" WIPs - The three Xorn Ravagers have been shaded and dry-brushed
Every now and then a miniature comes across my radar which I simply can't resist, and as I'm already currently in something of a "Dungeons & Dragons" mood, the opportunity to buy a fairly-reasonably priced plastic Froghemoth from "Trixtex Games" was too good to miss, especially as the alien species is one of the original extra-terrestrials discovered on board a crashed interstellar spaceship during the 1980 adventure module "Expedition To The Barrier Peaks".

Absolutely packed full of tentacles and razor-sharp teeth, I've already managed to find a 120mm x 90mm base for the amphibious predator as big as an elephant, and also get the brute primed in "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. In addition, I've hooked out a trio of Xorn Ravagers which I rather embarassingly undercoated a good two and a half years ago. These "outsiders from the Elemental Plane of Earth" have subsequently been shaded and dry-brushed, ready for some detail work to take place...

16 comments:

  1. I'm not a fan of Dungeons and Dragons but I must admit that your D&D minis are superb, especially that Frogemoth. What a beast!

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    1. Thanks very much indeed, Bryan. The Froghemoth is an absolute beast and possibly will be the largest mini I've yet painted when finished.

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  2. Just a bit big that one in the middle, you're going to need a big pot of dip.

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    1. Thanks Skully. I'd forgotten all about painting them!!

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  4. Cracking job maybe lovs the face and how the colours contrast.

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    1. Cheers Simon. I'm pleased with how the face turned out myself.

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  5. Sharaz Jek looks great. I didn't remember him and have just looked him up and you have done a good job of bringing him to life. The Froghemoth looks amazing! That will be a thing of ugly beauty when you finish it! Amazing!!

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    1. Thanks Undercoat. Sharaz Jek was obviously a quick win to finish once I worked out what the lumps were on his face. The Froghemoth is a bit of a long term painting project I fear...

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  6. I had to look up Sharaz Jek as well, but what a great character! Now as for Frogmouth, wow!

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    1. Cheers Michael. Another "Black Tree Design" mini done, but still so many to go. LOL!!

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  7. He looks just as sinister as your androids, great job.
    Really looking forward to see these D&D miniatures painted up too, they look great.

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    1. Thanks very much Wouter. I've a fair few "Dungeons & Dragons" minis on the painting table currently.

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  8. Another great Dr. Who villain (?) that I don't recognise (of course) but the Froghemoth is also unecognisable to my very old Dnd experiences.
    I think the "crab people" look great fun too.

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    1. Cheers Joe. Hopefully the Xorn won't be too far down the painting queue to be finished soon.

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