Tuesday 8 October 2019

"Escape Area 51!"

"The popularisation of... the Grey alien is commonly associated with the Barney and Betty Hill abduction claim."
This 28mm scale model of 'The Visitor' was produced by “Spectre Miniatures” and was only available as a strictly limited edition figure for a short time on the company’s website in September 2019. Strongly influenced by the "purported extraterrestrial beings" known as Grey Aliens or Roswell Grays, the "metal cast" sculpt was promoted by the Nottingham-based manufacturer as needing the wargamer's help to both "return home", and "maybe atomise some agency staff on the way."

Having been super-glued onto a 28mm circular lipped base, the Zeta Reticulan was primed using two layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The miniature was then dry-brushed with some (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, before being washed with some additional, albeit heavily watered-down, "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Finally, the figure was given a second, incredibly light dusting of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and had its large, oval eyes 'picked out' with "Citadel" Abaddon Black.
"Wizkids" WIPs - The Lab Gorilla is slowly having all its gory detail picked out
With the bulk of the Gray completed, I turned my attention to the alien's deadly death-ray. The 'official' paint-job depicts the Flash Gordon-like weapon in a sort of mottled brass, but due to its shape resembling that of an old Buster Crabbe rocket I was sorely tempted to go with a bright red. In the end, however, having realised my own palette choice had made the Visitor much darker than that advertised by "Spectre Miniatures" I went with a simple combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil...

Recently I've unearthed a reasonably sized pot of partially-painted and re-based "Wizkids" miniatures, which I have slowly started to 'chip away' at. One such figure, initially destined to join The Riddler's gang as a significant heavy during my early 2017 "Mutants & Death Ray Guns" Gotham City campaign, was an old "Horrorclix" model of a badly-mutilated Lab Gorilla; unsurprisingly sold as part of the range's The Lab Expansion.
"Warcry" WIPs - The Ogor Breacher just needs his armour to be painted metallic red to be finished
Despite needing to be attached to a larger base than the 28mm circular stand I had initially super-glued the ape too, the killer primate's vacant eyes, bleeding incisions and exposed brain immediately struck me as making him the superb subject of a "Zomtober" 2019 entry. So following an undercoat of "Vallejo" Dark Grey, a wash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and subsequent dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Dark Grey, I am hoping to get the hairy undead beast ready for a weekend varnish.

Lastly, I am definitely on the home run to complete my Iron Golems' Ogor Breacher for "Warcry". In many ways this incredibly detailed, and resultantly incredibly frustrating to paint, "Games Workshop" Chaos warrior has proved a real painting antagonist over the past few weeks. But now the end is in sight, and the first of my three Iron Legionaries is progressing nicely I'm hoping to put all the re-paints and touch-ups behind me and get the entire warband "hailing from the Ferrium Mountains in Chamon" ready for the tabletop...

14 comments:

  1. Cool looking mini. Paintjob brings him to life nicely

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    1. Thanks very much Simon. Trying to mix some straightforward paint-jobs in with the more complicated "Warcry" ones :-)

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  2. That limited edition Grey is a quality miniature! painting the Lab Gorilla for Zomtober really is an inspired choice. Great work on both of them, Simon.

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    1. Thanks Bryan. Its a shame "Spectre Miniatures" aren't planning on expanding their Gray range, as I'd definitely be interested in more poses etc. As for the lab gorilla, well I simply thought it was about time :-)

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  3. The Grey is a great scul, with a lot more character than I've seen in other softer (almost comic) sculpts and well rendered by you brush. I'm also pleased you didn't go with a red 'ray-gun', a bit too quaint and obvious a Sci-fi trope.
    The gorilla is another good sculpt and should paint up well (not green this time hopefully), but I feel your pain with some of the detail you've set yourself on the other figures - good luck with them.

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    1. Cheers Joe. The Gray is a cracker imho, as is the lab gorilla. I must admit to being increasingly put off by "Games Workshop" with these latest sculpts. They are not for the timid gamer by any stretch of the imagination, imho.

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  4. I do like a good 'grey' miniature, cracking job Simon and you did well to snaffle one of those.

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    1. Thank you kindly, Michael. I'm not at all sure why its release was so short-lived, as I'd have thought "Spectre Miniatures" would sell them by the dozen.

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  5. That grey doesn't look as friendly as Paul, but nicely painted Simon. Interesting choice for Zombtober

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    1. Cheers Dave. I thought I'd try to get at least one proper zed in for "Zomtober", along with my Borg.

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  6. The alien looks quite nice. You do have an eclectic collection of minis! That Gorilla sounds horrible! Exposed brain, cuts etc. Who could do such a thing!! However, great choice for Zombtober! Keep plugging away with the Warcry, you will get there!!

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    1. Thanks Undercoat. The lab gorilla is a long time coming tbh. The "Warcry" will undoubtedly continue. The Ogor is now finished and should be posted soon as a result.

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