This 44mm tall metal model of a Bear rearing to attack is produced by “North Star Military Figures” and can be bought as code FGX005 from their “Frostgrave" range. Somewhat reminiscent of the illustration found on page 178 of the skirmish wargame’s Second Edition rulebook, albeit disappointingly without that particular carnivoran mammal’s numerous scars and battered ear, the animal is a potential “unhappy” random encounter for any adventurer who dares enter the wintry ruins of Felstad.
The figure was initially undercoated with two layers of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna, before being shaded with a combination of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. The Bear was then thoroughly dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna. As a final touch I ‘picked out’ the creature’s nose, eyes and claws with a little “Citadel” Abaddon Black, as well as its teeth using some “Vallejo” White and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.
Sticking with Joseph A. McCullough’s fantasy wargame in the Frozen City, I have managed to assemble and start working on a Stone Golem by “Zealot Miniatures”. This two-piece resin magical construct “stands 65mm to the top of its head”, and has taken a little while to put together on account of my waiting upon a circular 60mm lipped base to arrive from a disappointingly slow eBay seller.
Originally, I was going to simply paint the living monolith in just my usual “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil recipe. But having now successfully applied this palette to the figure, I plan to add some additional weathering to the stony sentinel’s surface, and ‘pick out’ its bracelets in either “Vallejo” Bronze or Brass so as to suggest these adornments are what imbue the statue with its unnatural life.
Lastly, I am continuing to progress the additional “Games Workshop” metal miniatures I need to field a 500-point Isengard Force for the Nottingham-based manufacturer’s Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game. One of this army’s components I’m especially keen to expand upon are some extra Uruk-hai Bezerkers, who are accompanied with a number of formidable Special Rules in the “Armies Of The Lord Of The Rings” rule-book.
As a result I have been busy rummaging through my backlog of old models and managed to unearth four more of the barbarous orcs to help swell the ranks of my previously-painted three-figure strong unit. Just like my basic Uruk-hai Warriors however, I am going to have to turn to my modern-day collection of “Scale 75” range of "Metal N' Alchemy" water-based acrylics in order to replicate the now well OOP “Citadel” colours I used over a decade ago…
The statue looks great so far and the metal bracelets will add a bit of contrast to all the grey. I have to admit, I agree with other commenters that the bear's pose is a bit unrealistic but it still looks terrifying!
I see what undercoat means, the body on the bear looks a little flat to me, a shame as the head is really well done too.
That Golem is a very nice piece, and your work on it so far has just enhanced it further, I like the idea of magical bracelets.
Cheers Roger.
There is something not quite right with the sculpt of the bear. Paint job is fine but the head and pose seem wrong.
The stone golem thing looks fantastic and your ideas seem very good.
More Uruks! Yes please. I do think the forges of Isengard need to make straighter swords though!! I suspect they are old models you have dug out and they have had a hard life. Look good though, very fearsome.
Great work on the bear and statue Simon, like the idea of adding some gold to the model, should give it a good pop of colour, maybe add a green glow to the eyes, to give it an unnatural life to it.
Nice berserker models, but they have some bendy swords, put some sponge in the jaws of a pair of pliers, and you should be able to squeeze them flat.