Tuesday 18 November 2014

A Long Legged Bird!




My apologies for the shamelessly provocative title and teaser picture, it was just too good an opportunity to miss - although I might get some disappointed, casual visitors and as a result.


'Dinovember' continues apace as I try to clear the painting table of prehistoric prowlers ahead of the commencement of the 'Vth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge' - now with its own weblog!  This then a Terrorbird from the mighty 'Wargames Foundry'.  I forget when I picked up this particular long legged bird up* , the memory not being what it was, but just a cursory look on the Foundry site would suggest that they no longer cast them, a pity as this was a splendid chunk of metal and a delight to work on. 
*certainly not a phrase to be uttered in the presence of the Saintly Mrs. Awdry!


Requiring very little in the way of preparation, something I am always grateful for, this apparently flightless creature stands tall and proud, not dissimilar in appearance to an ostrich, but with a frighteningly large beak!  Some web based research saw a working palette discerned and before long the Phorusrhacos, another denizen of the 'Lost World', was complete. 


Just as a brief aside, I had another play with the Vallejo Mica flake gel on the base to create the impression of leaf litter on the jungle floor.  Having based the Terrorbird on a 'Warbases' 40mm disc, the usual rock, pebbles and pumice were applied, but when dry I added the Mica flakes, this time teasing it out a little more so that the shapes of the substance were clearly defined.  Once dry it is simply primed and painted as any other product.  Still some more experimenting to be done before I'm completely satisfied that I know what I'm doing with it, but it is certainly showing promise.


67 comments:

  1. A lesser mortal would have included a girlie shot as well. But you have kept it pure! (Drat!!!!) A nice beast towering over the explorer it looks really good, I especially like the beak.

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    1. Thank you Clint and I have to confess the addition of a pinup shot was considered, albeit briefly. ;)

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  2. Lovely painting; gorgeous blending on the beak.

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    1. Thank you Herbert, I was certainly pleased with the beak although it did take a long time.

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  3. really good job, great shading!
    such a beast is a great adding to your collection.
    bye

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    1. Thank you Luca, the orange and red seemed to work well.

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  4. Great, especially for me the lags, claws and beak...

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    1. Thank you Phil, certainly my favourite bits to do too.

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  5. Mean looking bird there indeed! But great looking when all painted up! Love that mica flakes on the base.. might have to pinch that idea myself!

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    1. Thank you Mr. Lee and I would certainly be interested to see what you do with the Mica flakes.

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  6. Looks good and properly menacing.

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    1. Thank you, he certainly has height on his side.

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  7. Gorgeous poultry - just in time for Thanksgiving ;0)

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    1. Not sure I'd what to be the one to try and stuff him! Thank you though.

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  8. Superb rendition of this beast and alongside the human one wonders which is the hunter and which is the prey.

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    1. I couldn't agree more, Lofty is definitely in trouble!

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  9. Great brushwork as always, Michael. I love the genre - although I'd hate to be on the other end of that beak - not to mention the talons!

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    1. Thank you Dean and he certainly is a fearsome creature.

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  10. The Terrorbird is one of my favorite prehistoric creatures and I think your color scheme is perfect. I like the leaf litter effect with the mica flakes and I'll keep a watch for your further efforts as its something that I've wanted to experiment with as well.

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    1. Thank you Brian, I'm so pleased you like him. The mica flakes are definitely worth an experiment or two further as I'm not sure I've tapped their true potential yet.

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  11. Lovely job Michael. I was looking at some smaller versions of these terrorbirds and wandering if they would make good mounts for goblins!

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    1. Thank you Simon and great idea for Goblin mounts, I can just see them hanging on for dear life as the bird goes charging off into the enemy.

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  12. Excellent work. With Foundry re-releasing old castings maybe this avian fiend will make a reappearance. I must have a look at this mica flake gel myself, I'm intrigued!

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    1. Thank you Mark and I certainly wouldn't be surprised if he makes a reappearance to the Foundry ranks. I think they did some other dinosaurs, so will definitely be on the lookout.

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  13. Wonderful work, Michael, especially the beak.

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    1. Thank you Stefan, the beak was my favourite bit too.

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  14. Superb!
    That would serve a few for Xmas dinner.

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  15. Stunning Michael. You've done it again.

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  16. Now that's a seriously big budgie (sorry - all I could think of having read all the Xmas dinner comments!) :-)

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    1. You should see the size of the cuttlefish we have to put in his cage! :D

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  17. Hunters shouldn't wear thick lensed eye glasses!

    Excellent rendering, sir. This project of yours has just been elevated to one-of-my "Michael's-best-paintings!"

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  18. I'm so glad you did that closeup of the legs. I'm very impressed with the way you achieved the mottled look to those feathers. The blends on that beak are outstanding as well. Perfect transitions from dark to light.

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    1. Thank you so much, that means a lot to me. The transitions are something, I don't always attempt, often preferring to block paint on such small miniatures, but the beak just seemed to cry out for it.

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  19. Attention to the detail. The gem of an effort.
    Nice and subtle shading Michael, you're one of the best in the hobby. :)

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    1. Thanos that is incredibly high praise, I am truly humbled by your kind words.

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  20. I was expecting some Loki-esque boobie shots as well but you managed to resist Sir. That's some mighty fine bird you have there. A shame it isn't produced anymore. Pecker and legs look particular awesome.

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    1. I have to confess that the thought had crossed my mind. ;) It is such a great sculpt that I wouldn't mind adding another one or two of them to the collection at some time if Foundry do get round to recasting it.

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  21. That is one heck of a leggy bird there mate, but truly it has been painted wonderfully bringing the best out in it.

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    1. Thank you Pete, certainly wouldn't want to get caught in open ground with this one!

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  22. Your beakwork is extraordinary! Wonderful painting and basing. I have a new Awdry favorite, until next week at least. ;-)

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    1. "Your beakwork is extraordinary", now there's a phrase that I wasn't expecting to hear, thank you Monty. :)

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  23. You've got a cracking bird there are no mistake mate!

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    1. Thank you my good man, just make sure the wife doesn't hear you say things like that though.

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  24. Another excellent paint job! I like how you did the legs. Now this fine feathered fiend looks more menacing than the previous pair of prehistoric beasts. But maybe they could distract it long enough for Lofty to get a good shot or 2 first.

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    1. Thank you and there is definite menace in this one's eyes. 'Decoy Dinos' - I love it!

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  25. p.s. for more prehistoric beasts Acheson Creations has their Primaeval Designs. I have a few of their mammoths, aurochs, Irish elk, etc.

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    1. Just had a look and they do look rather splendid, I wonder if the have a UK distributor?

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  26. Ooooo nice! As long as it isn't Big Bird I am fine. I loved Sesame Street as a child but hated that yellow avian do-goody. Give me Count Dracula anytime. I am so way off topic here, sorry. :)

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    1. I never warmed to Big Bird either, far too saccharin sweet for me. ;)

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  27. Hola
    Que chulada de figura,lo as echo muy bien
    un saludo

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  28. He ain't no dinosaur! He is very well done just like that great film Mysterious Island. Where's coach Awdry?

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    1. Surely we can count him under the prehistoric banner? Coach Awdry now finished and published. ;)

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  29. It's a lovely bird - the original Angry Bird, I suspect, and beautifully painted. Others have commented on the beak, which is first rate, but I especially like the banding on the legs. Well done sir. Three Squawks from this critic!

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  30. Lovely model, & your paint job on it is astoundingly good!

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