"The Beginning Of A War Between Man And Machines."

"Three billion lives would vanish in an instant."

These four 32mm scale E-800 Exterminators are produced by "Papsikels Miniatures" and were downloaded for free as part of a set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from their "Patreon" The Exterminator December 2022 subscription service, The miniatures were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer and are clearly based upon James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd's science-fiction "Terminator" franchise.

The two heavily damaged, crawling figures are actually both Model L, with one of them simply being 'mirrored' using "Chitubox" Basic. As with all my E-800 Exterminators, I have been using the sculpts to try out some of Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats paint range, so like the others I've previously pigmented, they were all primed with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and subsequently treated to two layers of Sir Coates Silver and a hearty dousing in Oblivion Black Wash.

"Judgment Day."

"Skynet's most famous products" were then carefully dry-brushed with (more) Sir Coates Silver and had their eyes picked out with a spot of Demon Red and a dab of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. Lastly, due to wanting their metallic hand-weapons to somewhat stand out from the rest of the E-800 Exterminators shiny surfaces, I applied a second shade of Oblivion Black Wash over all the firearms.

"Papsikels Miniatures" The Exterminator release is rather extensive, so in order to break up the long line of android assassins I'm still working on, I've turned my attention to some of the company's other STLs I've been sent - primarily focusing upon some treaded probes. Foremost of these to catch my eye is a Papz Industries UOD Explorer from their current Star Entrance release, which looks ideal for investigating the sort of extra-terrestrial portal seen in Roland Emmerich's 1994 science fiction adventure film "Stargate".

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - Papz Industries UOD Explorer and Papz Industries Daloy 9 - Sentry Drones

Likewise, I've 3D printed and based a couple of Papz Industries Daloy 9 - Sentry Drones, which struck me as being inspired by the UA 571-C Automated Sentry Guns from James Cameron's "Aliens" motion picture. All three of these mobile support units have initially been primed in "Vallejo" Heavy Grey to help tie them into the colour scheme I have in mind for some future members of the United States Colonial Marine Corps.

Finally, I have also managed to make a little more progress on the manufacturer's Zelucerean Tamer, Cyber Death and Cyborg Ender Type 5432-0 figures. It's still very much early days on this trio, as I've simply applied some basic shades, base layers and dry-brushes to the miniatures. But with the exception of the flame-headed, chainsaw-wielding Cyberpunk combatant, I hope the other two models will prove pretty straightforward to complete...

"The Future Has Not Been Written."

"There is no fate but what we make for ourselves."

These three 32mm scale E-800 Exterminators are produced by "Papsikels Miniatures" and were downloaded for free as part of a set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from their "Patreon" The Exterminator December 2022 subscription service, The miniatures were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer and are clearly based upon James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd's science-fiction "Terminator" franchise.

Two of the figures are actually Model F, with one of them simply being 'mirrored' using "Chitubox" Basic. The third sculpt with a slightly larger head is Model E, and presumably represents a slightly different incarnation of the basic (not) Skynet bipedal killing machine. I thought the trio would be a good subject with which to try out some more of Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats paint range, so having primed them with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black, I gave each android assassin a double-helping of Sir Coates Silver and a generous splash of Oblivion Black Wash.

"Papsikels Minaitures" WIPs - Colonist Marine Cyborg Hero E-900 Exterminator

The robot endoskeletons were then carefully dry-brushed with (more) Sir Coates Silver and had their eyes picked out with a spot of Demon Red and a dab of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. Finally, due to wanting their metallic hand-weapons to stand out a little bit from the rest of the E-800 Exterminators, I applied a second shade of Oblivion Black Wash to all the firearms.

Alongside my latest submission to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) I have been working on some of the other models by "Papsikels Miniatures" I've recently produced with my Mars 3 Pro 3D printer. One of them is the excellent-looking Colonist Marine Old Cyborg Hero, a battered E-900 Exterminator who I aim to use as a bodyguard which my "X-Crawl" participants can hire to protect them throughout their dungeon-based adventures.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - A Cyborg Ender Type 5432-0, an Omega Zelucerean Tamer and Cyber Death

I've also decided to add to my collection of the company's Omegas by priming their large Zelucerean Tamer. The actual STL file comes with a subdued adult Xenomorph, which the (not) Engineer is apparently overpowering into a semi-sitting position with a single empty hand. As I might use the figure as both an "X-Crawl" contestant and/or wandering encounter, I've decided to just use the model on its own.

Finally, I've started getting some "Vallejo" Prime colours on a pair of Cyberpunk miniatures. This range is a little less consistent in size as the manufacturer's 32mm science-fiction series, as some of the figures are only 28mm in scale. However, their Cyber Death and Cyborg Ender Type 5432-0 match up very well size-wise with the E-800 Exterminators I've painted. In addition, I still plan to pigment a number of their slightly smaller sculpts in the near future, as the mechanically-enhanced denizens just smack of "Shadowrun"...

"Something Got On Board."

"Some kind of... animal... hostile."

These two 32mm scale Proto Keelers are produced by "Papsikels Miniatures" and were sent to me as a free STL (Standard Triangle Language) file as part of their PAPSIPACK Welcome Models subscription set on "Patreon". The miniatures were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer and are clearly inspired by the fledgling xenomorphs seen in Ridley Scott's 2017 science fiction action horror film "Alien: Covenant".

Unfortunately, one of the sculpts' hind legs repeatedly misprinted due to the suction on my build plate causing the area's pre-built supports to fail. So I decided to strengthen the offending limb on each figure by placing a skull produced by "Encounter Terrain" directly behind them. Both models were then super-glued onto a pair of "Citadel" plastic 40mm circular bases, primed using a couple of layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Warm Grey, and shaded with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

 "Killed Ledward..."

I next gave the two miniatures a light dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Warm Grey followed by a lighter dusting of plain White. Disappointingly, disaster struck at this stage with one of the aliens' arms snapping completely off. Luckily, the Water Washable Resin really takes super-glue well, so I was able to reattach the offending limb and continue on my merry way with only a night's delay. In addition, the elbow joint is arguably stronger now than it was before breaking.

In order to try and blend the dry-brushing together a bit better I swamped each miniature with a watered-down wash of (more) "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and subsequently picked out the softly-detailed mouths with a combination of "Vallejo" White and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. Lastly, I decided to bloody the xenomorphs up a bit, as seen in the motion picture, so repeatedly dipped a torn piece of sponge into some diluted "Citadel" Flesh Tearers Red, and sporadically dabbed each model with the Contrast Paint.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - An Omega Yurneyan Exofist, Gigerian Royal Brood Warrior & Exterminator E-800

This 'blotching' technique seemed to work rather well, and also allowed me to 'cover over' any mistakes, as well as the aforementioned broken joint. Once everything was dry. I gave the hapless human skull a coat of "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, drenched it in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and then dry-brushed it with a little (more) "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand and White to bring out all is grim details.

Alongside my latest submission to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) I have been working on all manner of other 32mm scale models by "Papsikels Miniatures", ranging from more Xenomorphs and Exterminator E-800s, through to a trio of Omega Yurneyan Exofist battle golems. In addition, I've started 3D printing, basing and priming a number of the company's 28mm Cyberpunk figures with a view to potentially pigmenting a number of these sculpts next month...

"Now Man-Bat Is More Than Your Equal, Bat-Man!"

"You're not going to steal my bat-powers from me!"

This 28mm scale pre-painted plastic model of Man-Bat was produced by “Wizkids” and is miniature number 040 from their old DC Comics “Heroclix” Hypertime range. Ranked by "Imagine Games Network" in 2017 as the 16th-best Batman villain, Dr. Robert Kirkland Langstrom's alter-ego was created by Frank Robbins, Neal Adams and Julius Schwartz for the June 1970 issue of "Detective Comics" by "DC Comics".

Unceremoniously plucked from the figure's flying 'clicky' base and super-glued upon a plastic 25mm circular base, the super-villain was treated to a double-coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna to help mask its previous paint-job, and subsequently shaded it in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I then heavily dry-brushed the miniature in (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and pigmented the creature's torn trousers with a combination of Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade.

"Wizkids" WIPs - The Crimson Dynamo and Squirrel Girl

I did consider giving Man-Bat's shredded clothing a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue to add some rough highlights. But in the end settled upon leaving the "Citadel" Shade alone. Instead, I simply 'picked out' the brute's sharp teeth and claws with some "Vallejo" White, and then dirtied these areas up with some splashes of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Having completed a model which has rather embarrassingly laid half-done in a drawer for several years, I've dug out a few more "Heroclix" figures to potter about with in between other projects. Most of these are quite old now, and probably need re-painting from scratch as they're got chipped/battered since I first started working on them. However, they should make some nice single-hobby session ventures when both the mood and time allows.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - These three E-800 Exterminators have been base-coated and shaded

In addition, I have been busy printing and applying some basic layers on seven more E-800 Exterminators by "Papsikels Miniatures". I've really fallen for this Patreon-based company in a big way, and am slowly trying to work my way through their extensive science fiction catalogue - something which is actually hard to do considering just how many new STL (Standard Triangle Language) files they release every four/five weeks.

Furthermore, I'd really like to do some sort of campaign using elements of the televised game-show extreme dungeon-crawling Role Playing Game called "X-Crawl" by "Goodman Games", and think the (not) Terminators would fit into that quite well as wandering monsters. Indeed, I think it might be fun to have the option/opportunity for a party of adventurers to take a certain model into the dungeon with them as a bodyguard...

"That Thing Is Thirty Minutes Old!"

"In a few hours it'll grow up.  If it reaches a place with people..."

This 32mm scale Xeno Brood Sentry is sculpted by Micha Gerhardt and can be downloaded for free as an STL (Standard Triangle Language) file from "Papsikels Miniatures" PAPSIPACK Welcome Models subscription set on "Patreon". Clearly inspired by H.R.Giger's infamous deadly xenomorphs, the figure was produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer.

Inspired by a statue of a xenomorph crouched on all fours which H.R. Giger had exhibited at the opening of the Austrian Ars Electronica institute in 2013, the brutal-looking extra-terrestrial was super-glued to a "Citadel" 60mm circular base and primed in Doom Death Black by "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats". I then gave the model an enthusiastic dry-brush of Scorched Earth and shaded it with Oblivion Black Wash to help make the creature's base layer look very dark indeed.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - The Afrika Korps have been dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Desert Yellow

I next (re)dry-brushed the miniature with (more) Scorched Earth, before applying a light highlight of Dust Bowl across all the prominent raised areas. Finally, to help blend all the different browns together, I heartily splashed Battle Mud Wash all over it. This left me just needing to 'pick out' all the alien's metal teeth with a combination of Sir Coates Silver and Oblivion Black Wash, as well as apply a coat of Doom Death Black (and later "Coat D'arms" Gloss Varnish) across its forehead and scorpion-like stinger tail.

Alongside my latest submission to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) I have continued to make some progress upon the first batch of six 28mm plastic German soldiers by "Warlord Games" I have planned for "Bolt Action". I'm actually trying a 'patient factory process' with these figures by simply pigmenting a certain part of each miniature each day (e.g. applying a shade or picking out all their boots).

"Wizkids" WIPs - Groot Thor has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

This way I hope to not get too overwhelmed by all their fiddly little details, like water bottles, pouches, combat knives and goggles, as I ordinarily would when facing such 'complicated' hobby pieces. So far this process is working really well, albeit having primed, shaded and dry-brushed my 'dirty half dozen' I'm only now getting to work on their footwear. However, it is allowing me to methodically paint a bit of each infantryman per hobby session, without them distracting me for too long from the call of my current science-fiction craving...

Lastly, and perhaps not unsurprisingly considering my present enthusiasm for all things super-hero based, I have started working on another 28mm pre-painted plastic "Heroclix" model by "Wizkids" predominantly using colours chosen from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" range. This time round I've gone for the rather large Groot Thor from the New Jersey-based company's The Mighty Thor Marvel Heroclix collection, as I rather fancied something a bit different from the norm - and a member of the Thor Corps from Battleworld fits that bill rather nicely.

"Sauron Was A Brilliant Argentinian Hypnotherapist."

"He also became a human-pteranodon hybrid and would-be-conqueror of the "Savage Land"

This 28mm scale pre-painted plastic model of Sauron was produced by “Wizkids” and is miniature number 029 from their Marvel “Heroclix” Wolverine & The X-Men range. After being bitten by mutant pterodactyls, physician Doctor Karl Lykos was transformed into a humanoid Pteranodon, who was "able to absorb the life force of others through touch." Created by Roy Thomas and Neal Adams, the Savage Lands mutate made its first appearance in the September 1969 issue of "The X-Men by "Marvel Comics".

Clipped from the figure's 'clicky' base and super-glued upon a plastic 25mm circular base, the super-villain was treated to a double-coat of Ethereal Green from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" paint range so as to cover up its previous paint-job, shaded in Battle Mud Wash, and thoroughly dry-brushed with (more) Ethereal Green. I then 'picked out' his tongue using a combination of Sanguine Scarlet and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, before dotting in the energy vampire's mesmerising eyes with a smidgeon of "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow over a "Citadel" Abaddon Black base layer.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - The Afrika Korps have been primed with "Vallejo" Desert Yellow

Finally, I applied two layers of Sorceror's Cloak from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" over Lykos' torn loin-cloth and shaded it with "Citadel" Druchii Violet. To be honest I had originally intended to pigment the garment in yellow, as per the miniature's 'official' paint scheme. But having recently played quite a bit of the computer game "Marvel Snap", I decided to go with the colour he wears on his digital card instead.

Along with my latest offering for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I have also assembled and primed half a dozen 28mm plastic German soldiers by "Warlord Games" to use with their "Bolt Action" World War Two (Second Edition) rule-set. Admittedly, the last thing I currently need is another project, but to begin with I'll only be using a single figure to represent a unit of infantrymen, so the temporary distraction shouldn't be too severe.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - The Afrika Korps have been shaded with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade

As I already own a sizeable German Eastern Front Army (in 10mm) and a burgeoning D-Day Defence Force (in 15mm), I thought I'd move to a much hotter theatre of battle by building a contingent of Afrika Korps. However, I can't say I'm particularly impressed by the poses offered by the Nottingham-based manufacturer's thirty-figure Infantry boxed set, as most of them seem to be stumbling forward with their heads down, or lying on the ground.

Admittedly, this probably makes a lot of sense in real life, as you'd want to keep yourself low to the sand dunes with all those bullets and bombs whizzing about. However, from a painting perspective it means I'm going to have to reach my brush-tip up into some quite confined areas, which will probably never see the light of day once on the battlefield. As a result, I wish a few of the plastic models were actually stood upright, and may well stand them on the odd rock in future, simply so their faces are more accessible...

“Beachhead" Showcase 2023

The Main Floor and Solent Hall (Wargames Tournaments) 

Having not visited the Bournemouth International Centre in Dorset for a few years I was rather looking forward to once again attending "one of the South Coast's top convention centres" this past Saturday, and managed to find both a parking space near the event, as well as a local eatery serving breakfast, before its doors had even opened, In the past, the venue has always 'thrown up' some new range of miniatures by an aspiring entrepreneur I've 'bought big into' or seduced me to finally purchase a game/genre I've previously managed to keep at arms bay.

Unfortunately, this simply wasn't the case this time round, and I left the show wondering whether I would be willing to pay another tenner for a similar experience again. In fact, this seemingly sudden standard cost of entry is really putting me off shows, as I was only there for just over an hour, and surprisingly walked away with nothing but a handful of manufacturer's advertising leaflets and flyers. That's not value for money in my books.

"Shiver" by "Parable Games" and "Zoontalis: Battle Royale" by "Dice Heads"

I think one of the main problems was that "Beachhead" didn't really offer me anything that I couldn't purchase with far less hassle over the internet. The usual trading suspects were somewhat out in force in the shape of "Warlord Games", "Blotz", "Great Escape Games", "Peter Pig", "TT Combat" and "Grubby Tanks". Whilst the second-hand dealers were charging an absolute fortune for many of their wares - most notably the old(er) boxed sets by "Games Workshop", which were (perhaps unsurprisingly) priced in the hundreds of pounds. Furthermore, I'd suggest the event's huge array of wargames tournaments (in both the Solent Hall and the Bourne Lounge) were perhaps its biggest draw, and such competitive play isn't for me. 

Having said all that though, there were a few notable attendees who definitely caught my attention, and quite possibly in less frugal financial times may well have had me opening my wallet. Foremost of these was the "roleplaying in the strange and unknown" rule-set entitled "Shiver" by "Parable Games". This horror game definitely intrigued me with its mix of spooky shenanigans, excellent artwork and dedicated dice mechanics. However, as I already own numerous versions/expansions of "7TV" by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" I didn't feel I wanted to fork out another large wodge of dosh on a core game book which brings "their favourite scary movies, spooky television shows, and horror stories to life". I was sorely tempted though...

Some of the demonstration games laid out on the Main Floor

Furthermore, I discovered "Zoontalis: Battle Royale" by "Dice Heads", which on face value struck me as being a much more fantasy-based variant of "Burrows & Badgers" by "Oathsworn Miniatures". I was initially going to pass this particular vendor by, seeing as I already own an embarrassingly large amount of metal and resin anthropomorphic animals. But then I spotted some of the larger figures, and was told that the figures can be obtained as STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from the company's 3D print subscription service on "MyMiniFactory". This offer also includes free access to the various models' Character Statistic Cards, the game's Rulebook and some starter scenarios - another highly tempting future prospect...

Lastly, I was rather taken by some of the numerous display and demonstration games dotted throughout the main floor area. Two particular tables offered an awesome-looking "Hit The Beach - Bougainville" island hopping battle by the US Third Marine Division and the Thirty-Seventh Infantry Division against the Japanese Fifty-Forth Infantry Battalion. I actually spent quite a while talking to one of the informative gents running the game, and was surprised to hear how tea leaves had proved a prominent ingredient in the models' basing. Splendid stuff.

"Don't Let The Nickname Fool You."

"The B2-series battle droid wasn't really all that super."

These four 32mm scale B2 Droids are by "Nyverdale Tabletop" and can be downloaded for free as part of Duncan's fifteen-figure strong B2 Droids Collection (Fan Art) of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files on "Cults". Clearly based upon the Super Battle Droids from "Star Wars", they were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer.

Having spent a significant amount of time scraping off and sanding down a staggering number of printing 'pimples' on each figure's front (which quite badly battered the odd droid's torso), they were individually based upon 25mm round bases and primed with a coat of "Citadel" Abaddon Black. I then treated them to a generous application of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, heavily washed them with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed the lot with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - Three E-800 Exterminators at various painting stages

Whether as a result of me using a flat make-up brush for these 'rough' highlights or not, I disappointingly discovered that the process really emphasised all the pits, dents and deformities of the heavy troops' production, so I initially went back and gave each of the quartet's heads an extra splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil and 'picked out' their softly-detailed eyes with a line of Abaddon Black. Frustratingly, this didn't seem to distract the eye from each figure's flaws, so ultimately I decided to simply apply a second shade of "Citadel" Nuln Oil over the quartet to darken their overall tone.

In addition, I attempted to contrast some of the Baktoid Combat Automata-built robots' joints, heads and midriff with a further application of "Citadel" Nuln Oil (as I did when pigmenting some 28mm plastic Battle Droids by "Wizards Of The Coast" in April 2019. Infuriatingly, this didn't really work either, so eventually I settled upon carefully painting their waists with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and 'spotting' a light-emitting diode on one of their chests using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - These E-800 Exterminators have been primed and shaded.

Setting aside all my grievances with this latest submission to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I have started working on a number of E-800 Exterminators by "Papsikels Miniatures". These models are causing me the odd 3D printing failure on account of some dubious pre-supports. But in the main I've been really happy with both the success rate and quality of the sculpting; especially when you consider how complicated the (not) Terminators are with all their pistons and tubing.

Furthermore, the models are giving me another opportunity to settle down with "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" paint range - most notably his winning combination of Sir Coates Silver and Doom Death Black. Hopefully, these futuristic automatons will prove pretty quick to complete, as, having subsequently joined "Papsikels Miniatures" Cyberpunk tier on "Patreon" with a view to using many of the "Shadowrun" styled combatants for "X-Crawl", I am quite quickly building up an intimidating backlog of their figures.

"His Mind Focused On The Dread Imperial Troops..."

"...The killers without mercy, the soldier-fanatics of the Padishah Emperor."

These four 28mm scale Sardaukar were sculpted by "Big Mr Tong" and can be downloaded for free as part of a ten-figure set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from his "Patreon" subscription service. Based upon David Lynch's vision of the Emperor's elite warriors as first seen in his 1984 American science-fiction film "Dune", the miniatures were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer.

Each figure was undercoated in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and heavily dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal. The super-human soldiers' belts were then 'picked out using a little "Vallejo" Steel Blue, and their firearms with Gunmetal. Finally, each model was entirely 'drowned' in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and the Sardaukar's distinctive green face-visor realised using a combination of "Scalecolor" White Alchemy and the "Citadel" Contrast paint Warp Lightning.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - This Yurneyan Golem Exofist Mask has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

Alongside the last of my Sardaukar for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I have been progressing three more models produced by "Papsikels Miniatures" as part of their PAPSIPACK Welcome Models subscription set on "Patreon". I actually produced four of the Yurneyan Golem Exofist Mask figures. But during the printing process one of them sadly lost an arm.

The miniatures are strongly influenced by the look of the Engineers from the Alien movie franchise, and are absolutely crammed full of fine detail as a result. Like the vast majority of the company's considerably-sized science fiction range I am planning on using them to try out my "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats", so have settled upon a somewhat simple, predominantly blue-grey paint-scheme for the "beneficent creators of sorts."

"Wizkids" WIPs - Sauron has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

In addition, I seem to have found myself caught up in the digital "fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping, strategic card battler" known as "Marvel Snap" by "Second Dinner". This frighteningly addictive computer game has definitely got me highly enthused for super-heroes, so having had a rummage around my "Heroclix" backlog, I thought I'd put my passion to good use by pigmenting an old plastic figure of Doctor Karl Lykos' villainous alter-ego I've had gathering dust for many a year.

I'm hoping that by focusing upon this single miniature I will stave off any possibility of me abandoning my painting plans for this month and suddenly diving headlong down a rabbit hole crammed full of Marvel, DC Comics and other Indie comic book characters. Albeit, I have 3D printed a handful of "C27 Studio" sculpts, just in case I fancy tackling a few more of their 40mm scale metahumans...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Papsikels Miniatures” February 2023

"Do You Have Any Faith, Sister?"

After last month's dismal effort to reduce my peak of plastic by supposedly focusing upon the remaining 15mm World War Two Germans by “Battlefront Miniatures” I need to complete my 50-point strong “Flames Of War” German Beach Defence Company, I thought I'd spend the next four weeks concentrating upon a range of figures I'm currently 3D printing like the Volkswagen Wolfsburg Plant - namely, "Papsikels Miniatures”.

This company actually have two different Patreon subscriptions covering Science Fiction and Cyberpunk models, which can both be accessed via their penny-saving "Add On" pledge. I'm currently still working my way through their backlog of super-generous welcome packs and monthly releases with an eye upon playing some "Aliens verses Predator verses Terminator" games in the near future.

Papsikels Miniatures WIPs - Some figures being progressed from the "Papsikels Massive Sci-Fi Welcome Pack"

In addition, their Shadowrun-flavoured Cyberpunk models have got me interested in revisiting "X-Crawl" by "Goodman Games", so I have already started producing some Cyber Ravager sculpts on my "Elegoo" Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer to use as a potential band of "superstar athletes taking their chances in a live-on-pay-per-view death sport." For starters though, I'll be sticking with the plethora of various Xenomorphs and E-1000 Annihilators I've already got on my painting table, with the notion that I can always use them as futuristic 'dungeon denizens' at a later date.

Of course I still have a fair few other 'irons in the fire' too with a handful of Sardaukar by "Big Mr Tong", B2 Droids by "Nyverdale Tabletop" and a ton of Golemmar Gnomes by "Artisan Guild" waiting in the wings. But most of these figures are actually close to completion and should be ready for next week's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) submission window. Indeed, if things go to plan then I should be able to enter some twenty plus 28mm-32mm scale figures into the event as 'a one hundred point bomb.'

January 2023 - "Big Mr Tong" has already taken a strong lead after just one month

The AHPC has certainly sparked a major increase in my output over the past month, with me experiencing one of my most productive starts to a year since I first began recording my output almost a decade ago. This success has predominantly been due to the large number of “Big Mr Tong” sculpts I've pigmented, most notably their aforementioned "Dune" inspired Sardaukar, as well as his marvellous Sentry Robots (from "The Black Hole).

However, I did also surprise myself by painting a few old 28mm metal models from my "The Lord Of The Rings" collection by "Games Workshop". Admittedly, I am hoping to play some more of the Nottingham-based manufacturer's "Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game" once I've reinforced my Isengard army with some Warg Riders. But much of the motivation to revisit Middle Earth principally came from the opportunity to collect some bonus points during the AHPC - something I had previously promised myself I wouldn't get distracted by...