Cyclops update - part five

The leather areas were painted in a rich red leather colour with pale or even white fur trim and the skulls were painted in a pale skeleton colour. the hair was picked out in a very dark brown, almost black colour.

The groundwork has been painted in my usual Typhon base colour - a very pale cream highlighted with white with odd stones picked out in grey highlighted white and then given a light wash.

I have used a number of light washes to add depth to the skin and leather areas before varnishing with Galleria mat varnish and gloss varnish for the eye.

I just need to add decoration to the base and this Cyclops is finished.

Tony

Cyclops update - part four

The latest update shows the painted skin colour - I was looking for an insipid, unhealthy skin colour and went for this pale purple colouring. The inspiration came from an image I found on the internet - see below and was built up in layers and using thin washes.

The last image shows the rear of the partially painted Cyclops. I used a stippling technique to show skin mottling. 

Hopefully, I can get some more painting done today.

Tony

Cyclops update - part three

I have basecoated the whole model with a dark brown/black mix and added some zenithal highlighting by using a lighter brown across the upper surfaces before 'washing' the miniature with a dark brown wash. In the past I would have used a black basecoat, but recently I have found that I prefer a dark brown base to build up my painting.

The next step will be the flesh areas and I have been searching the internet for inspiration.

Tony

Cyclops update

The Cyclops was mounted on to a 50mm metal washer (may last one - I will have to pick some up the next time I'm shopping) and the groundwork was built up with terracotta Milliput. Sieved stones and sand was then added over PVA glue and sealed with a mix of diluted PVA to which I have added some washing up liquid.

I thought the toy sculpt was a little lacking in features so added a couple of plastic skulls and built up the fur with green stuff following an illustration I found on the internet.

My next step will be to undercoat the model and I'm also looking at more illustrations to help me decide on the flesh colour - the flesh on this simple paint scheme looks to artificial - I want a more putrid flesh colour.

Expect more updates soon.

Tony

Another Cyclops for my 40mm Typhon Project

On a recent City Break holiday to Lucca, Italy I picked up this toy Cyclops. The model is from the Del Prado range of Greek Mythology figures and to the best of my knowledge has never been released in the UK. The monster stands just over 80mm tall and as such will be perfect to fight against my 40mm Spartan or Hoplite figures which I use in my games of Typhon (from Alternative Armies). The Cyclops cost just 5 Euros which I thought was a real bargain.

The resin or strong plastic Cyclops was mounted on a metal oval base, but when I tried to saw the base off, it fell away (as can be seen in the above image). The paint scheme is pretty basic and my plan is to re-mount the monster on to a round washer base and paint the figure in a more realistic colour scheme.

The final image shows the Cyclops alongside on of my 40mm Hoplites and a bottle of Army Painter Quickshade shown for scale comparison.

I'll try to post regular updates showing both work-in-progress and my chosen colour scheme.

Tony

A lucky magazine find

This issue of Narrow Gauge & Industrial Railway Modelling Review was picked up in a second hand store for just 50p. The reason it was so cheap is that the cover has become loose, but the magazine contents were all in good order and I'm sure I can repair the damage.

A second hand issue No. 55 would normally go for around £5.00 - if you could find it as the magazine is rarely found on e-bay.

The contents were a great read while flying to Pisa, Italy on a short city-break holiday.

Tony

The Spanish Aeronef - Miniature Wargames issue 481

Issue 481 of Miniature Wargames ((May 2023) features an article written by me showing how I scratch built this Spanish Aeronef for use in my re-imagined Battle of Lepanto using huge steam driven, lighter than air Skyships to re-fight this encounter in a Victorian Science Fiction 'What-if'.

The model used the drop tank from a 1/32nd scale Tornado fighter jet and loads of scrap plastic to built a steam driven Aeronef. The model was painted with standard acrylics and mounted on to a scratch built flying base.

The image above shows the Spanish Skyship alongside one of my Ottoman Empire Dirigibles (or Digs). Full details can be found in the magazine or by searching MW issue 481. Or click here.

Tony