"Excellent, Doctor."

"Envy is the beginning of all true greatness!"

This 28mm scale white metal model is produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as MINI 2390 Devil In Disguise. Sculpted by Ian Mountain, the figure is clearly inspired by Anthony Ainley's long running incarnation of The Master as first seen in the January 1981 BBC television story "The Keeper Of Traken".

Initially primed using two or three layers of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, I did contemplate dry-brushing the Doctor's arch-nemesis with some "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and subsequently dousing him in "Citadel" Nuln Oil - my usual recipe for predominantly black clothing. However, as I've always felt this particular villain's costume was always immaculately dark, I decided to leave it alone, and have the grease from my fingers add some highlights over time whilst handling the miniature instead.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - A Nautican Warrior

This didn't though mean that the evil time traveller was finished, as there were still a few little details which needed 'picking out'. Foremost of these was the intricate collar design, which was treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. In addition, I spotted that a stray flash of flesh was visible on one of the model's arms, so carefully lined the strip the skin using a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshtone.

Lastly, I carefully considered applying a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the chap's eyebrows. These had clearly been sculpted onto the model by Mountain - perhaps in recognition of Ainley's noticeable brow ridges. Yet strangely omitted in the figure's 'official' paint-job; something which I felt made the face appear a little odd to me. As a result I decided to try my best to delicately add a line of "Citadel" Abaddon Black along these details, and hopefully provide the Devil In Disguise with a truly dark, brooding visage.

"Beast In The Broch" WIPs - Alpha One and Alpha Two

Sticking with "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", I have also started to make some proper progress on the first of their Nautican Warriors I own. This particular test-piece will give me a good idea as to how best pigment the rest of the similarly shaped Aquaphibians I own. Although the overall look of these miniatures doesn't appear as strikingly similar to the nefarious "Stingray" minions I once 3D printed in resin using some STL (Standard Triangle Language) files by "Big Mr Tong" a little over three years ago.

Finally, I'm also making some significant headway on the last couple of figures I need to make tabletop ready from the Systemic Units set I own by "Beast In The Broch". Most of the base layers for Alpha One and Alpha Two are now in place, so I am to start applying a few washes on these areas, before 'picking out' the odd wire and computer-related detail on their heavily "Blake's 7" influenced uniforms...