"This Is A Story Of Long, Long Ago; When The World Was Just Beginning."

"Tumak!"

This metal model of Raquel Scotch is from “Antediluvian Miniatures” range of 28mm Adventurers. The sculpt is clearly based upon the character of Loana, a member of the Shell Tribe from the 1966 Fantasy-Adventure motion picture “One Million Years B.C.”.

Three adventurers battle Hairy Hominids at the Earth's core

The cave woman was initially undercoated with “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone. Her furs were painted using Heavy Sienna and her spear with “Citadel” Doombull Brown. Both of these areas, along with the savage's "Vallejo" Heavy Brown hair were then washed with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. The figure’s flint spear-point was painted using a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Finally all of Loana's areas of skin were given a wash of watered-down Reikland Fleshshade.

Butch Davis WIP - This boxer's colour scheme will be very similar to that of George Foreman

In addition to finishing the third and last of my 'Lost World Adventurers' I have also once again started work on my backlog of partially painted "Chronoscope" figures by "Reaper Miniatures". This sculpt of Butch 'Killer' Davis has been either sat in a drawer or left discarded upon my painting table for quite a few years now and was bought as part of a number of science fiction figures I still hope to use for some games based upon "Gamma World"; "A wacky, wily game of postapocalyptic peril" by "Wizards Of The Coast".

"Well, If We're Not On Earth, Doc, Then Where The Hell Are We?"

"Ra, if your tribe and the others was joined together, you could defeat the Mahars."

This metal model of Shug McClure is from “Antediluvian Miniatures” range of 28mm Adventurers. The sculpt is clearly based upon the character of David Innes, a Victorian mining heir who finances the experimental “Iron Mole” in the 1976 Fantasy-Science Fiction film “At The Earth’s Core”.

Edgar Rice Burrough’s creation was initially undercoated with “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna. His trousers were painted using Charred Brown and his spear “Citadel” Doombull Brown. Both of these areas, along with his “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna waistcoat and hair were then washed with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. The figure’s shirt was painted using a combination of “Vallejo” White and the transparent acrylic Pale Grey. Finally the hero’s metallic spear tip was picked out with “Citadel” Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil.

Crossbowman WIP - This plastic model is becoming increasingly colourful

I’m still progressing my “Frostgrave” warband using “North Star Military Figures”, and hope to have my initial party of fortune hunters finished within the next few weeks. The additional pouches and equipment I’ve adorned my adventurers' with has somewhat slowed down my pace in getting them finished. But I’m finally starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel for this crossbowman...

Re-basing The Undead - Lots of damaged feet and legs have been repainted on these models

Lastly I’m continuing to try and give my considerable collection of old “Copplestone Castings” zombies a new lease on life by rebasing and (in some cases) repainting them. These three are from Code FW4 Plague Zombies, and are part of the company’s Future Wars Range. 

"Have You Met Miss Smith? She's My Best Friend."

"You must complete your mission for the Time Lords!"

This 28mm metal model of Plucky Assistant B is from code SKU: MINI 206 by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and makes for a wonderful proxy of Sarah Jane Smith, the popular plucky reporter who accompanied the Doctor during the 1976 British Science Fiction television program “Doctor Who And The Seeds of Doom”. The miniature was initially given an undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey and then had her denim jeans and top washed with “Citadel” Asurmen Blue. The assistant’s shoes and hair were painted using a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade.

Having viewed several different paint schemes for her blouse, including some impressive looking plaid patterns, I eventually decided upon a nice simple “Vallejo” White base coat, which I then washed with some watered-down “Citadel” Nuln Oil. I had wanted to try and make the garment look a little greyer than I normally paint. But unfortunately the Shade didn’t pool or dry in some areas as well as in others, so the end result is disappointingly murky in places. Sarah Jane is something of a late Zomtober submission, as I’ll be using her as a ‘Survivor’ for my forthcoming remake of “Doctor Who And The Seeds of Doom” using the “Zombicide” rule-set.

Crossbowman WIP - This plastic model is absolutely covered in weapons, armour and equipment

This month as part of Mo’vember I’m trying to paint enough miniatures by “North Star Military Figures” to use as a warband for “Frostgrave”. My enthusiasm for this project has somewhat increased over the past few days as my “Thaw Of The Lich Lord” ‘Nickstarter’ expansion has arrived. As a result I’m trying to get my original selection of models painted as quickly as I can. Although I’m finding them all rather tough going, as the sculpts are all packed full of fiddly tiny details.

I have also been a little underwhelmed by the quality of the game’s official “Frostgrave Soldiers” twenty multi-part hard plastic 28mm figure boxed set. But have found my fervor for this particular Crossbowman renewed by both adding lots of extra bits and pieces to the original model and through giving the figure some additional heft as a result of supergluing some lead pieces to the underneath of its base; there’s just something about painting a weighty model which you just can’t beat in my humble opinion.

Shug McClure WIP - The miniature isn't too far away from gracing the tabletop

 Lastly I have been pottering away on my “Warlords Of Atlantis” mini-project, and have almost finished this cracking sculpt by “Antediluvian Miniatures”. Clearly inspired by the 1976 movie “At The Earth’s Core” and the actor Doug McClure, I hope to have Shug based and varnished very soon.

"Warlords Of Atlantis" - WIP - Part One

Warlords of Atlantis WIPs  - Once washed with Black Shade these models should be fairly straightforward to finish

Despite ‘Mo’vember 2015’ starting this week and my attention primarily turning to a number of heavily-bearded wizards, apprentices and soldiers for "Frostgrave", I have also decided to try and potter away on a number of figures made by “Antediluvian Miniatures” in order to try and replicate the 1978 British Science Fiction/Fantasy film “Warlords Of Atlantis”.

Distributed by Columbia Pictures, this 96 minute-long movie concerned two adventurers discovering the lost city of Atlantis and battling both the advanced civilization’s spear-wielding armored warriors, as well as an assortment of giant sea-monsters. “Antediluvian Miniatures” actually sell a very nice looking range of Crystal Palace-influenced resin and metal dinosaurs. But to begin with I thought I’d try and paint up a number of their Guardians of Lemuria. These cracking 28mm models are absolutely spot on for the motion picture’s Atlantean troopers and their leader, Atmir.

Atlantean Guardian WIPs - These deep-sea soldiers come in five different poses

As usual, when I approach painting a group of the same (or similar figures), I plan to concentrate on one or two test models first. Though on this occasion I’ve decided to also paint the Warlord of Lemuria as well. As a result I’ve painted the rifle-carrying soldiers’ plate armour with “Citadel” Ironbreaker” and their eyeless-helmets with Mithril Silver.

Doug McClure WIP - Early days yet for the American adventurer as I need to finish painting his flesh areas

I have also started to continue painting a couple of other figures by “Antediluvian Miniatures” which I began to work on a couple of months ago. Clearly inspired by the 1976 movie “At The Earth’s Core” and the 1966 'dinosaur flick' "One Million Years B.C." these wonderful sculpts of Doug McClure and Raquel Welch should hopefully be finished within the next few weeks.