Wednesday 23 October 2019

"This Is Not A High-Brain. It Is A Primitive."

"Class three one nine eight. Selected male, Doctor-Gond."
These three 28mm metal Kroton models are manufactured by “Black Tree Design” and can be purchased as Code DW214 - Kroton Armed from their "Doctor Who" miniatures range. Having "evolved from predatory quasi-organic tellurium based crystals which could mimic their prey's abilities", these aliens enslaved the Gonds for several generations and made their first appearance in Robert Holmes’ December 1968 BBC Television story "The Krotons".

Plagued with "poor eyesight in daylight" the trio were primed using "Citadel" Abaddon Black and layered with two coats of Ironbreaker. Each figure was then washed with Nuln Oil and some Drakenhof Nightshade, before being dry-brushed with (more) Ironbreaker.
"Warcry" WIPs - This Iron Legionary has had all his brass and red armoured 'picked out'
As with the previous pair of Krotons I've painted I 'picked out' their featureless crystal heads with some "Vallejo" Dead White, shaded them with some heavily-watered down "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, and subsequently gave them a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Dead White. In addition, having perused some 'official' photographs of the extra-terrestrials in their "combat-shape configuration", I realised that the tubing to their pincer arm needed to be pigmented "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

Moving across to some infinitely more complicated (and resultantly much more difficult) miniatures, I have been slogging my way through my Iron Legionaries for "Warcry" by "Games Workshop". With hindsight I really should have pigmented these Iron Golems in sub-assemblies, as their multiple tiny hammers and sweeping chainmail have consistently blocked my brush-tip from getting anywhere close to some of the figures' nooks and crannies.
"Heroclix" WIPs - These Skrulls have all been re-based and primed
In addition, my utterly mad decision to attach a ball and chain onto each model's hip has caused me some considerable consternation too, with the 'spare' weapon blocking access to a fair bit of each warrior's lower limbs and leg armour. Hopefully however, the rest of my warband's poses are infinitely more accessible, and I feel I am slowly getting better at pushing the "Citadel" Flesh Tearers Red Contrast paint around each sculpt's detail...

Lastly, I have dug out a handful of unbased "Wizkids" miniatures from my pre-painted plastic mountain to work on as adversaries for my Fantastic Four super-team to battle. The old "Heroclix" Skrull Commandos are admittedly a little two-dimensional, but their formidably powered leader, the Super Skrull, should prove a far more colourful subject to work on...

14 comments:

  1. Another wonderful piece, but I shall need to go back and watch the episode. Just a smidge before my time.

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    1. Thanks Michael. The Kroton sculpts are definitely showing their age, but the TV story is one of faves, and Robert Holmes' first for "Doctor Who".

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  2. Great work on the Krotons Simon, keep plugging at your Warcry and you'll get there. Interesting Skrull, look forward to seeing what you do with these

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    1. Cheers Dave. Hopefully I'll have the Iron Legionary finished soon, as the others in the warband don't look quite as tricksy to finish.

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  3. I'm sorry to say that none of the figures here really grab me but I am very interested in your notice for the "Zombicide RPG". Suffice to say I've backed it. I'm assuming you have too, otherwise why advertise it. For me it is a must have so thank you for bringing it to my attention.

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    1. You're more than welcome, Bryan. I am backing it as I rather like the sound of the "Zombicide" RPG and the opportunity to still use the first edition stuff with this second edition KS.

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  4. Do like me some Skrulls, especially after the Civil War when Spider Woman showed her true colours.

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    1. Thanks Dai. I'm hoping to get a few more "Heroclix" repainted over the coming weeks as they make much easier painting subjects than the "Warcry" stuff.

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  5. The Dr Who croutons look nice, especially the effect you have achieved on the crystal. The Iron Legionaire looks great and whilst I do like GW minis I agree they can be too detailed at times! Those Skrull look interesting, I presume some are changing shape, otherwise the proportions are a bit odd! Nice eclectic collection of minis once again.

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    1. Thanks Undercoat. If only "Black Tree Design" were more reliable I'd probably order more Krotons, as they're one of my fave Patrick Troughton monsters. Hopefully I'm a short time away from finishing another "Warcry" mini, and the Super Skrull in the centre is indeed transforming into the Fantastic Four!!

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  6. The robot still brings a wry smile to my face and no matter your excellent brushwork, it still reminds me of "Awesomemo" (South Park).
    I must admit that I'm a bit surprised by the War Cry figures, they look excellent sculpts and without overly large weapons - great paint job too, btw.
    The Skrulls (?) look great fun. looking forward to seeing what you do with these.

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    1. Cheers Joe. Much appreciated praise. The Iron Golems are a major pain to paint, imho, but I'm slowly getting there. Hopefully the Skrulls will be finished soon as I want to get them on the tabletop :-)

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