Colony 87 Botanist

Dr. C.R Beachcomber, Egregious Professor of Cruel and Unusual Botany

I guess it will come as a habit now,  here's another model from the coming Colony 87 range by Jon/Axiom. After the recordist last time, here's another character from the scientific field. Take a look at the splendid sketch by Will Beck :

Like the other models of the range, it's been sculpted by Michael Anderson and it's an absolute pleasure to paint. Painting a lot of models from a single sculptor really helps understand how he approaches things. I've always been familiar with the work of Jes Goodwin and have got used to Bob Olley's unique style these last few years but getting to work on Michael's work is proving just as pleasant. It's great to have model that bear the touch of their creator. Though I full y get the need for coherence in a model line, I do miss a little personnal touch in some modern productions. Here, you have something with a bit more soul. As always on the models from Michael, the face is absolutely great.

I've decided to keep rather simple colours on the clothes and equipement because I wanted to make the bright colours from the plants stand out. I've ried to avoid haveing too much green since after all a space botanist is more than likely to find specimens which don't use photosynthesis with chlorophyle...

Don't ask me why but since I had started ethnic diversity in the group, I thought I could also add age diversity as well so I decided to paint the botanist a bit older. I gave him a slightly tanned and matt skin tone which suited the way I imagined the guy.

For some reason I found it was better to let him have an old fashioned look to make the bionic hand and eye stand. It's also a (cheap) way to make him immediately recognisable on the table top.  I've actually thought of some cool additions to place him in hostile environments and to let him have objectives in games. Some Old Ral Partha Chtlulian creatures and  tyranid bits will be just perfect I guess.

The idea of having a space botanist roam planets to find new species could be very nice, especially if you think of the consequences of failure :

Nice perspective isn't it, if only I knew someone who has space tree people to act as villains in such a story...

With so many entries about the Fauna and Flora in the Rogue Trader Rulebook, there must be a use for a botanist or biologist in games right ?

Just because I'm nice, here's a shot of the 4 models so far, that's 4 out of 6 done. Next ones will be a little different in style and background. ;)