Thursday 8 August 2019

"I've Gone Mad."

"My name's Sullivan. Surgeon Lieutenant Harry Sullivan, actually."
This 28mm metal miniature of U.N.I.T.'s medical officer is manufactured by “Black Tree Design", and can be purchased as DW422 Harry Sullivan from the company’s "Doctor Who" miniatures range. Instructed to attend to the freshly regenerated Fourth Doctor by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, the "rather old-fashioned" naval officer made his first appearance in Terrance Dicks' December 1974 BBC Television story "Robot" and ended up travelling aboard the TARDIS with Sarah Jane Smith "for several subsequent adventures."

Initially primed with a double layer of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, the figure's trousers were painted in "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed using some (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey. Described as being "rather old-fashioned and stereo-typically English in his attitudes", I applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Blue to Harry's coat, splashed it with "Citadel" Nuln Oil" and dry-brushed it using (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue.  
"Star Trek Adventures" WIPs - Two Romulan Uhlans and a Romulan Commander
I then 'picked out' all of the garment's buttons with a combination of "Vallejo" Gold and The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. Before 'highlighting' the visible edges of his shirt and its collar, and shading them with a drop of "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. Finally, Surgeon Lieutenant Sullivan's hair and sizeable side-burns were pigmented in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and considerably darkened using "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Sticking with science fiction, albeit stepping across to Gene Roddenberry's futuristic vision, I have managed to make some substantial progress on the first pair of Uhlans from the Romulan Strike Team boxed set by "Modiphius Entertainment". These two "Star Trek Adventures" miniatures have so impressed me that I've already assembled some more of the "lowly" members of the Romulan Guard, as well as cracked on with the faction's Commander.
"The Walking Dead: Call To Arms" WIPs - Dexter is slowly having his straps, vest, side-bags and weapons painted
Currently I'm actually in two minds as to how to paint the pointy-eared Starfleet Captain equivalent, as I'd really like the figure to stand out that extra bit on the tabletop, so was thinking of giving her the blonde locks of the ever-devious Sela. However, I'm also a big fan of the likes of Toreth, commander of the warbird IRW Khazara and have recently been encouraged that Denise Crosby's fair-haired character might receive her own specific model should "Modiphius Entertainment" decide to produce a second Iconic Villains boxed set...

Lastly, I have spent some time patiently applying a brush-tip to all the straps, pouches and pieces of vest poking out on my Dexter mode for "The Walking Dead: Call To Arms". Just like a couple of sprouts in a roast dinner, I've tackled this particular "Mantic Games" miniature first, as he looked like the most difficult to get through, but now I'm fairly happy with all the leather-work and clothing being blocked in, I am hoping to get the "towering, physically intimidating inmate" of Meriwether County Correctional Facility finished quite quickly.

20 comments:

  1. Harry was unfortunate. I heard they wrote him up as an action man/ romantic draw because they thought the main role would go to an older actor rather than Tom Baker. Nice work on Dexter and the Romulans. Are you going with the TNG era uniform? I tried to paint mine in the Enterprise/Nemesis scheme.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Horridperson. I heard the same thing about Harry, and that the producers regretted getting rid of him so early, as he seemed to work so well with Sarah Jane Smith. I certainly liked him and its a shame Ian Marter died so young, otherwise I'm sure he'd be far more popular a character nowadays. The Romulans will be TNG style, so tbh, the Uhlans are almost done as I don't plan on picking out each square on their tunics.

      Delete
  2. Impressive hairy chops on Harry! Good stuff.

    Romulans are my 2nd most fav alien species in Star Trek (Next to Cardassians. Of course.) so I'm really liking these minis.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dai. Harry looks a lot more doe-eyed in the photos than he does to the naked eye, but even on the tabletop you can see his side-burns from a mile!!

      Plenty of Romulans to come, and a Cardassian too, as I've managed to get hold of Gul Dukat. Hopefully that's indicative of an actual Cardassian boxed set being released soon - and perhaps a Deep Space Nine crew one too :-)

      Delete
  3. Another very good mix of figures here, Simon. Of them all I like Dexter the best. I must admit I find that painting Mantic's TWD figures an absolute joy. They are all beautifully sculpted with lots of detail. I've yet to paint my prison inmates. :-( sad face!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Bryan. Much appreciated. After the photo made Harry look so doe-eyed I did go back to see if I could reduce the size of his eyes but in the end decided to leave well enough alone as I simply couldn't see the problem.

      Dexter was a bit of a nightmare imho, as I found his details rather soft and actually thought that was an axe at his side not a pistol until I saw a pic of a painted mini. Still, I'd like to think the hard part is done on him now, and hope to have all four inmates finished in time for a "TWD" game next Friday.

      Delete
  4. Great job on Harry Simon, he looks perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great work on Harry Simon, The Romulans are progressing well, would save the blonde hair for if they release a model specifically, and great start on Dexter

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Dave. I've actually realised that I can do Sela now, and if "Modiphius Entertainment" do then produce her as a character mini I can just paint the hair black!! LOL!!

      Delete
  6. Once work on Harry mate. Nice to see some Walking Dead on the paint table. I need to return to those at some point not touched any since last summer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Simon. I'm enjoying painting the "TWD". Almost as much as seeing your current immersion into the "Crooked Dice" Beastmen.

      Delete
  7. Harry looks really nice, great job. I do like those Romulan minis enormously, they look awesome. Glad to see some progress on Dexter, looking good! You will be facing the Woodbury militia next time!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Undercoat. Hopefully I'll have some of the Romulans finished soon. Looking forward to seeing what the Woodbury militia have to offer in our next game :-)

      Delete
  8. Three very interesting minis, for different reasons. Sullivan ia imho a very uninspiring sculpt, but no doubt looking like his namesake, unlke the very excellent perfectly proportioned Romulan.
    I don't lnow why, but Dexter's(?) syance just looks inherently wrong !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Joe. Harry is indeed in his typical pose, albeit he was a bit more of an action-hero than his reputation permits, imho. Lots more "Star Trek" to come, three Borg are already finished. I entirely agree about Dexter's pose, although once painted I'm hoping his stance looks a little better - he's apparently looking down the barrel of his gun but I think the angle is slightly off.

      Delete
  9. Lovely to see some Star Trek miniatures here and I look forward to the rest you're planning to purchase/Paint up.
    For myself I kind of wished I had bought some 15mm ones from Astro miniatures when they we're still around.

    The Harry Sullivan model is a great miniature, totally like the naval uniform he's wearing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks very much Wouter, I'm hoping to do the "Star Trek" minis justice after a few months of failing my monthly themes, and everything looks on track currently.

      I too like the Harry Sullivan mini by "Black Tree Design" - I just wish the photo didn't make that right eye look so doe-eyed.

      Delete