Friday 20 March 2020

"There’s No Hard Proof These Creatures Exist."

"There are hundreds of footprints and thousands of sightings."
This 64mm tall plastic model of an Abominable Snowman is produced by “Wizkids” and is promotional miniature number WK-005. Based upon the "folkloric ape-like creature taller than an average human, that is said to inhabit the Himalayan mountains" this exclusive figure was actually produced for the New Jersey-based company's 2015 Holiday Monthly Organised Play Kit, and was accompanied by both its character card and an instruction sheet for participating retailers that wanted to sponsor the event in their store.

Generally regarded by the scientific community "as a legend, given the lack of evidence of its existence", the model was initially primed using a couple of coats of "Vallejo" White, and later treated to a splash of Pale Grey. To be honest, although I'm a big fan of this "Vallejo" transparent acrylic wash, the Pale Grey does tend to noticeably bubble whilst drying, and can resultantly leave something of a disagreeable dusty look to a miniature.
"...Other locations may be compromised as well."
In an effort to avoid this, I therefore carefully applied the "Vallejo" Pale Grey in slow downward strokes, so as to minimise any of the aforementioned bubbling. The Yeti was then enthusiastically dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo White, and had its face, fingers and toes layered with "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

These areas were later treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and (a double dose of) "Citadel" Nuln Oil, before delicately dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey. Finally, I dotted the shaggy beast's incredibly tiny eyes with a couple of dots of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, and applied some White to its teeth. These gnashers were subsequently stained with a little "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.
"Wizkids" WIPs - Five "Heroclix" G.C.P.D. figures are at various stages of completion
With the Tenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge finally coming to an end, and the last of my entrants sat patiently upon a shelf awaiting posting, I've had an opportunity to start planning out some of the genres and rule-sets I want to hit my tabletop with for the rest of the year. Disappointingly, I haven't yet managed to publish a single Battle Report during 2020 and therefore 'spotlight' some of the many different games I'm currently playing or learning the ropes to, such as "Warcry" by "Games Workshop" and "7TV" by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio".

Perhaps unsurprisingly therefore, having recently finished adding to my "Heroclix" Dire Wraith invasion force, the first thing I've decided upon is to set-up a small campaign based upon the "Marvel Worldwide" extraterrestrial species attempting to conquer the Earth using my homemade rules "M.I.S.S." This should make things pretty straightforward to organise and encourage me to finally complete some more plastic "Wizkids" miniatures which have been sat patiently waiting in the aisles for ages, like some additional G.C.P.D. figures to use as generic police officers...

16 comments:

  1. 64mm now that's a big yeti! or should I say not just a big foot but a big everything!

    You can never have too many policemen (unless you are as criminal of course) ;-)

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thanks very much indeed, Roger. If you think 64mm is tall though, wait for my next posting ;-) I'be been a bit lax in painting up both my "Heroclix" Police and Military forces. Something I hope to correct over the next few weeks.

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  2. I approve if the Yeti, I need to paint an armoured polar bear for a Norse Bloodbowl Team so I may well steal this method.

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    1. Cheers Phil. I painted up a "Copplestone" Polar Bear using a homemade cream coloured wash a couple of years ago, if you want to consider an alternative palette?

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    2. I saw that post, I think I shall try the warmer palette.

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    3. I look forward to seeing how it turns out, Phil.

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  3. Nice Yeti! Great work on the fur, looks really awesome. How was your experience on the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge? Hope you had fun.

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    1. Thanks Undercoat. I'm hoping to do some sort of "Heroclix" Monster Mash with him at some point ;-) The AHPC helped me have one of my most productive opening quarters to year ever. But this'll be my last one for sure. I find the relentless need to paint minis to keep the score going draining, and as a result I haven't played anywhere near as many games as I'd have liked.

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  4. A lot of great stuff. I love the Yeti model! Have some snow hunters and have to buy Yeti!

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    1. Cheers Michal. Much appreciated. Don't let the fact he's a "Heroclix" promo mini put you off price-wise, as I got him dirt cheap from across the Pond.

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  5. Great work on the snowman Simon, look forward to seeing how the year's projects develop

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    1. Thanks Dave. More playing, less painting is what's planned for at least the rest of 2020.

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  6. You don't do things by half do you ? 64mm! - What an imposing monster and it looks good too !

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    1. Cheers Joe. Really enjoying painting all these larger "Wizkids" minis currently. Of course, I'll clearly need to do an even more imposing monster for my next post now ;-)

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  7. Loving that the yeti is so large! Looks great from here.

    Lotsa good stuff here mate

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    1. Thanks Dai. The Yeti is quite the beast, and was good fun to paint with all that white fur. Few things on the go at the moment, which will hopefully take your fancy :-)

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