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| "And I have brought my biggest combat spoon -- to eat your tasty brains!!!" |
This 60mm tall model of Ape-X is produced by “Reaper Miniatures” and can be bought as Sku: 80001 from their Chronoscope range. Sculpted by Jason Wiebe, this polymer model appears to be a post-apocalyptic descendent of one of the "shaggy, intelligent apes" known as Dakon, which originally appeared in the 1981 edition of the "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" product the "Fiend Folio".
Super-glued onto a 50mm circular lipped based the figure was primed using two coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, drowned in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and enthusiastically dry-brushed with (more) Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal. I then applied "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the giant monkey's chest, belly, toes and fingers, layered these areas with some additional "Vallejo" Charcoal, and finally blended them into its fur with extra "Citadel" Nuln Oil.
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| "Mantic Games" WIPs - Dexter, Axel and a zombie |
All of Ape-X's cybernetic implants and adornments were first 'picked out' with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and subsequently treated to a combination of Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. They were then dry-brushed with some (more) Ironbreaker before being tactically dabbed with a touch of “Mig Productions” Extreme Rust Wash. This application was later ‘toned’ down with another dry-brush of “Citadel” Ironbreaker and a considerable splash of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade.
Finally, the bionic Dakon's teeth were treated to a coat of "Vallejo" White, followed by a dash of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade, and his tongue pigmented using a "Vallejo" Heavy Red basecoat and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson wash. Interestingly, it was whilst painting the giant gorilla's mouth that I realised just how much of the sculpt's detail had been lost in its transition from metal to "Bones", for in all the old pictures I was using as a reference guide, the primate's individual lower teeth could clearly be seen. Whereas on the plastic version of Ape-X I was painting, his bottom molars consisted of just a solid single line running right along the mouth...
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| "Modiphius Entertainment" WIPs - Three female Borg drones from the collective |
Having completed my latest model for my "Gamma World" campaign, I have also been making some progress on my Prisoner faction for "The Walking Dead: Call To Arms" by "Mantic Games". I still have some way to go with Axel, but have added a lone zombie miniature into the painting mix simply to help break up the monotonous orange jumpsuits worn by all four of the inmates I want to field.
Lastly, I have completed all the base layers to my first three drones from the "Star Trek Adventures" Borg Collective boxed set by "Modiphius Entertainment". These resin miniatures now just need their cybernetic weaponry, tubing, eye attachments, body armour and pale grey flesh to be washed, before some minor metallic dry-brushed and "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey highlighting will see them done.
Great work on Ape-X Simon, nice progress on your Walking Dead and Borg, when you wash the flesh on the borg try a purple or blue wash, you could also try a glaze of pale flesh on the high points of the face to give some nice contrast
ReplyDeleteCheers Dave, it seems like a long time since I first bought Ape-X to paint him, which of course it is, so I'm really pleased he's finished. I've actually just finished the Borg, and went with a simple "Citadel" Nuln Oil wash with "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey highlight. But I'll have a look at the purple and blue washes for some of the others :-)
DeleteAnother productive week. All very nice indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil :-)
DeleteBones is cheaper for a reason. THough their new Bones Black range seems to hold detail far better (I got some Giant Frogs this weekend in this material.). Regardless, I think the Ape looks great - he'd fit in with some sort of DC setting just fine.
ReplyDeleteGood to see that your painting drive is in full gear!
Cheers Dai, I think Ape-X has turned out well enough too, despite losing some detail as a result of being cast in "Bones". Your spot on with your DC Setting too - as this posting's quote is none other than from Gorilla Grodd himself!!
DeleteJeeese I feel old. I can remember reading about "The Ecology of the Dakon" way back in Dragon, 1992/3 or something. But strangely I don't recall if from The Fiend Folio, but strangely it IS included in the OSRIC retro clone, so must have been in the 1st ed. I must have forgotten about it being there is all.
ReplyDeleteWould that OSRIC retro clone happen to be the one you so rightly convinced me to purchase a couple of years ago, Steve? That's an absolute corking publication imho, and I'll need to go back and look the Dakon up in it if it is :-)
Deletehehe yeah its one and the same. Great book isn't it :-))
DeleteIt is indeed, Steve. I'll have to dig it out and have a read now :-)
Delete"And I have brought my biggest combat spoon -- to eat your tasty bananas!!!" Possibly misheard! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSmashing work on Ape X and good progress on the TWD figures and the Borg Drones.
Thanks very much indeed, Bryan, much appreciated misquote too!! LOL!!. The first three Borg drones are now finished, as is Dexter too, so hopefully they'll start being posted towards the end of this week :-)
Delete"And I have brought my biggest combat spoon -- to eat your tasty brains!!!"
ReplyDeleteYou always have such great post titles :) nice painting on the Ape.
Cheers Vagabond, glad you approve of the title and paint-job :-)
DeleteVery nice indeed. Ape X looks great, especially the rusty metal which you seem to have perfected in your painting. I too chuckled about the combat spoon. Great line. The TWD minis look very good and I can't wait to see them finished. I like the Borg, but think I prefer the Romulan sculpts, which is odd as I prefer the Borg in the TV shows!
ReplyDeleteThanks Undercoat. I must confess to thinking Ape-X has turned out very nicely indeed and looks especially good in the flesh. These Borg sculpts are all female, with the male drones being significantly larger and more chunky, so I'll be interested in your opinion of them when I post them :-)
DeleteLovely work on the Borg ladies, the colours you choose are almost a perfect fit.
ReplyDeleteCheers Wouter. Hopefully you'll like the male Borg drones too when I post some of them up.
Deletehmmm I do like that giant Ape, which really reminds me, Stevie bought back a simply huge giant ape {in resin cast} when he visited Dave. It was a miscast and he kindly gave it to Stevie in case he could do anything with it. Wow, I`m just thinking what a fabulous Cthulhu monstrosity it might make for a horror style game: with a big of green stuff to make the arm repair it would be ideal. Thank you for the brain nudge Simon, its filled my head with a cool ideas now. The model of yours look especially mighty as well. Rather scary looking beastie. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much indeed, Tarot. Spookily, I own Dave's ape myself, as I bought one just as soon as Dave offered them for sale and it has sadly sat on my painting table ever since. Ape-X is a much lighter version to paint, imho ;-)
DeleteI`d love to see your Dave version when completed. I`ll do mine too sometime (unless T gets to it first lol), and we can compare notes. Mine will be all horrific, oozy and bloody most likely, but yours will probably be more detailed :-)
DeleteI doubt mine will look much different to Ape-X tbh, Steve, except some blood where he's been gouged (as memory serves), and some brown on the head - which seems to be a natural colour for Silverbacks in the wild.
DeleteI have a "Crooked Dice" gorilla to do first as a test piece, which may arrive sooner than you think now Ape-X is completed and they've announced two more silverback sculpts to be released soon.
The Ape is a greeatsculpt, pity some of the detail was lost, but nevertheless it it still a formidable figure.
ReplyDeleteThe mantic sculpts, to me at least, still look strange, but when surrounded by the many excellent zombie sculpts they'll probably look great.
Borg still looking superb.
Cheers Joe. I must confess to being rather dubious about "The Walking Dead" sculpts myself, but I've now finished one, so we'll see what the final result is like after I've varnished and flocked one. More Borg to come buddy.
DeleteI do like the Ape-X figure. I've been thinking of adding him to my own gaming universe.
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely recommend him, Natholeon.
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