"This Horned Urz Cub..."

"...Has to be restrained with a zencollar and muzzle for safety."

This 28mm scale metal model of a Horned Urz Cub is sold by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as part of their Alien Pets 2 deal. Sculpted by Andrew May, and originally produced as a freebie to all backers of the company's Colony 87 - The Third Wave - 28mm Sci-Fi Civilians Kickstarter, the creature is designed to be used with the company's other "Colony 87" sci-fi civilian miniatures "for any RPGs and tabletop wargames."

Over twenty foot tall when fully grown, the prized extra-terrestrial bear was initially undercoated using "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, before dabbing the creature's fur in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna using a piece of torn foam. The entire animal was then washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Brown.

"North Star Military Figures" WIPs - The two Shrieking Wolves have been primed, shaded and 'distressed' 

The ferocious predator's zencollar and muzzle were 'picked out' using a combination of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Vallejo" Gunmetal. This restraining device was later shaded in "Citadel" Abaddon Black and carefully highlighted with a touch more "Vallejo" Gunmetal. Finally, the Horned Urz's eyes were spotted with a couple of dabs of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and later washed using a little "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Stepping away from the dizzying heights of "Colony 87" and making a frosty return to the snow-laden ruins of Felsted, I have spent some considerable time recently rummaging through my collection of unpainted models looking for a number of old "Frostgrave" miniatures I own by "North Star Military Figures". It's true that I intend to allocate this fantasy skirmish rule-set's second edition a considerable consignment of my valuable hobby-time over the next few months, in the hopes of pigmenting both a sizeable bestiary and some adventurous warbands.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Big Bot and The Shark are slowly having their details 'picked out'

However, I have also been spurred on by the announcement of it's science-fiction sequel "Stargrave" and the somewhat imminent release of a whole raft of new sculpts to specifically support it. This year I am absolutely determined to see through my New Year pledge of painting at least two models for every new one bought, so with this in mind, I thought I'd best get cracking on churning my way through my "North Star Military Figures" backlog; especially as I'm aware that the Nottingham-based company has already announced they'll be producing three twenty-figure strong boxes of plastic multi-part miniatures to go alongside their official metal range.

In addition, I've been plugging away at some more of my "Supers Unlimited" resin heroes by "Kitbash Games". such as Big Bot and the long-neglected Shark. I've still got quite a few of these super-heroes and villains to finish before I dare visit the manufacturer's store again, but hope to 'break the back' of this particular pile of shame by the end of next month...