Monday 25 January 2016

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. ;)


37 comments:

  1. It's a lovely range of minis. There defo should be more space botanists!

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    1. Space botanists make so much sense, who's gonna find the strange plants people put in their space yogurts and space smoothies, their space lipsticks (not to mention space marijuana, coke and so on...) ?

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  2. You're doing the figures justice! This guy has the right look for a gnarly old botanist, right down to his tan and traditional safari suit. He'd look great alongside the Bandit from the Adventurers range in some sort of Indiana Jones scenario!

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    1. Here you go, that's the foirst scenario for him !

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  3. So how do I buy these now that I have bequeathed one a name?

    Joe aka the Evil Wizzard Manonknok from Makati Marauders Gaming Club...Philippines.

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    1. They're going to be released in a Kickstarter due for Febuary. Yo'ull be able to get the 6 new models as well as the 6 previous ones in case you missed them the first time. I'll linkto the kickstarter when it's out and you'll hear about it in the usual places without a doubt. ;)

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  4. Space botanist or your local fruit stand attendant :D

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  5. That man looks like he definitely knows the difference between a venus man-trap and a petunia. Well done mec! :D

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    1. "that skull shaped fruit that glows in the dark ? Yeah, pretty sure that one's edible... I think"

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  6. Paint this big 'n cute shoggy now! In flashy pink! Come on, you're painting a lot of things and you still have not painted a gooish stanastic bubblegum of death ? What's wrong with you ?!

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    1. i meant "satanistic", but i was too excited to spell it right

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    2. There must some place in RT for pink satanistic goo, I'll find it ;)

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    3. Sounds like a great count as Space Marine, doesn't it ? I don't see any emperor's children offended to be played with a many-mouthed crawling goo

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  7. Wow, very nice mini ! I love the pose, the hat, the hand holding a strange specimen from a foreign planet. These Colony87 minis are very characterful.
    As for the painting, while still very neat and clean, I can't help but thinking 'fifty shades of brown' while watching him ;) Strangely though, this works very nice !

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  8. Well, that's something different. But certainly a figure full of character. And I like where you've gone with him - the older, grizzled look really suits.

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    1. It is different and I like that. Such a character has opportunities in many games I find.
      Thanks !

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  9. Love it, want it, neeeed it! Nice job JB!

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  10. A botanist! How very "Dune-esqe"! Nice understated colours. Great little range.

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    1. I'd alsmot be tempted to get another and give him a stillsuit for fun. ^^
      Cheers mec !

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  11. Oooh! I didn't see this coming! A proper excuse to explore the alien flora! Besides, someone who will bring flowers for your birthday!

    Cool work, JB!

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    1. What a romantic chap Suber ! Indeed he must be the guy with the most awesome flowers for Valentin's day !

      Cheers my friend !

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  12. you have just nailed everyone of those colony 87 figs!

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    1. Cheers mate, I can still fail on the last 2 ! (fingers crossed)

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  13. Botanist mini could also act as ship's science officer, medic (The future could make use of Flora in medicine) or even cook!

    Fantastic sculpt with a lovely paint job. Great work as usual sir!

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    1. Oh nice! I hadn't thought about cook but I actually have my ratling cook just based and they could fit together indeed !
      Thanks a lot for the idea !

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  14. The tanned leathery skin was definitely the way to go, JB. The plant colours look ace! You're proving to be a bit of a master of colour composition.

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    1. The skin was a no brainer really, then I needed to keep the palette dull for the guy to avoir ckashing with the plants I wanted flashy. I painted them with glazes over white to contrast with the plain colours of the test.
      Cheers Ed !

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  15. You surpass yourself yet again JB. Well done. A character very much suited to the half rpg style of old RT.

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    1. The sculpt has most of the job done !
      I'm eager to use that guy in some Game.
      Cheers.

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  16. Fantastic! I'm looking forward to these. I had erroneously attributed the sculpting of Colony 87 to Jon. The first batch were also sculpted by Michael Anderson I take it?

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    1. Yes, the artists are the same as for the previous wave with Will Beck for the design and Michael Anderson for the sculpting.

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