Saturday 19 October 2019

"Put ‘Em On The Endangered Species List!”

"There's no such thing as a grey gorilla."
This 51mm tall plastic “Wizkids” model of a Lab Gorilla is miniature number 061 from The Lab “Horrorclix” expansion set, and depicts an “unstoppable… Mankiller” presumably escaping captivity from Pandora Labs. Released in January 2007 as part of an initial 96 figure-strong expansion set with “a sci-fi/horror theme”, this miniature is another of my entries in this year’s “Zomtober” Challenge.

Hacked from the undersized 28mm circular stand I had previously super-glued the figure onto, and subsequently attached to a far more accommodating 40mm lipped circular base, the “beast’ was undercoated using two layers of “Vallejo” Dark Grey and enthusiastically covered in “Citadel” Nuln Oil. The ape was then heavily dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Dark Grey, before his fur was treated to an additional highlight using a mixture of three parts Dark Grey and one part Dead White.
"Someone's not dead until they're completely dead."
With the bulk of the Lab Gorilla finished, I ‘picked out’ all the model’s flesh with “Vallejo” Dark Grey and its metal sutures with a little “Citadel” Ironbreaker. Both of these areas were shaded “Citadel” Nuln Oil. I also applied a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Red and “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson to the brute’s partially-closed wounds, and then gave the front of the undead experiment a generous dry-brush of (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Red so as to suggest just how much blood the animal had lost whilst it was alive.

The monster’s neck bolts, presumably connected to the primate’s “Vallejo” Squid Pink brain, were pigmented with a little “Vallejo” Brass and dash of The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. Whilst the miniatures rotting teeth were given a coat of “Vallejo” Iraqi Sand and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade. As something of a final touch, the walking corpse’s eyes were simply spotted using “Vallejo” Dead White.
"Enter the ultimate competitive miniatures game with the Warhammer Underworlds: Beastgrave core set."
Lastly, the steel cage door was primed with “Citadel” Abaddon Black and coated twice with Ironbreaker. It was then shaded using plenty of Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) Ironbreaker. As I wanted the animal pen to look rather run-down, I also applied some spots of heavy corrosion to the metalwork, courtesy of “Mig Productions” Extreme Rust Wash, and gave the entire ensemble a second dry-brush of “Citadel” Ironbreaker to help tie-it all together.

This week has also seen me assemble both Grashrak’s Ravagers and Skaeth’s Wild Hunt from the "Warhammer Underworlds: Beastgrave" core set, as well as all the hard plastic scenic pieces from the "Warhammer Underworlds: Beastgrave – Primal Lair" box too. I'm not sure just when I'll get around to actually priming or painting any of these "Games Workshop" miniatures, but the "thematic scenery elements" look very useful for any fantasy-based tabletop, and not just exclusively for a hex-grid game.

16 comments:

  1. Great work on the ape Simon, not a huge fan of the scenery shown with it's 3D blockiness but could see them being useful

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    1. Thanks very much Dave. All the Beastgrave scenery seems to be based upon the hexagonal crystalline pattern painted onto the game's boards - hence its blockiness. I guess those are the rock formations "Games Workshop" has decided to litter its Beastman world with...

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  2. A great line up in the middle photo.

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    1. Cheers Phil. Not a graveyard I would like to inadvertently enter for sure!!! LOL!!

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  3. Great job on the ape, really like him. Love the way he is holding the cage, looks ace! Beastgrave doesn't interest me, but I would be interested in your thoughts on it.

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    1. Thanks Undercoat. I'm not a fan of the "Beastgrave" minis myself tbh, but hope to get some games in sooner rather than later.

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  4. That gorilla is a brilliant piece of work!

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    1. Cheers Fran. The ape came out rather well in the end, imho.

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  5. What a great miniature, I just love the broken lab cage - such a good idea. I see the Zombicide Kickstarter button, have you gone all in?

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    1. Thanks Michael. I have gone all in for now on "Zombicide". I was expecting to back the "Fighting Fantasy" KS but the minis are horribly expensive imho, and then my plans to get the "Judge Dredd" Miniatures Game were sidelined when I saw the minis were going to be Warlord Games' new resin - which I've not seen in the flesh yet properly. That meant I could afford "Zombicide" :-)

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  6. I do like the gotilla, but having an attached bedstead (or whatever) doesn't appeal.

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    1. Cheers Joe. I suppose you could always cut the cage door off, and its hands wouldn't look too odd.

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  7. Angry gorillas, always a great thing for the tabletop 😀 I think I need one!

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    1. Quite right, Ivor, and yes you do need one :-)

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  8. Gorilla is a cool sculpt and looks very nice.

    Beastgrave has some amazing looking new (not)elves and I'm liking GW's design aesthetic on them very much. Just a shame I can't get into the game rules...

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    1. Thanks Dai. I'm hoping to get the "Beastgrave" scenery painted next month, and hopefully that'll help encourage me to paint some of the game's minis.

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