“This Mighty Simian May Be The Rare Breed…”

“…King of all he surveys in some remote jungle in an explored corner of the world.”

This 28mm scale resin model of a Giant Ape is produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as SKU: MINI 350. The kit comes in three parts, and immediately reminded me of the “RKO Radio Pictures” 1949 American black and white fantasy film “Mighty Joe Young” due to the figure attaining an overall height of 47mm once assembled.

Having potentially “been carefully bred in captivity, altered by drugs and advanced psycho-conditioning to serve a human master”, the large gorilla was originally primed using a couple of coats of “Citadel” Abaddon Black, before being heavily dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal so as to highlight all of the wonderful fur sculpted onto it.

"A planet where apes evolved from men..?"

I then applied some (additional) "Vallejo "Heavy Charcoal to the Giant Apes' chest, hands, face and feet, before shading these parts with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Finally, I 'picked out' the model’s eyes with a couple of dabs of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to his forehead to indicate that he was a Western gorilla. Some additional "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna was later dry-brushed over this area to help better blend it in.

With the first of my five planned submissions for this month’s Monster May(hem) challenge completed, I also found the time to finish one of six Simian Minions I plan to complete within the next few weeks. Also manufactured by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio”, and available as SKU: MINI 98, the ape soldier was undercoated using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and dry-brushed in Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Talos, Strawman and a Titan

General Ursus’ trooper was subsequently drenched in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, before having his trousers and sleeves pigmented using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Violet and "Citadel" Druchii Violet. Lastly, the Ape with Baton's face, ammunition belt, rifle and strap were treated to a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna", whilst the soldier's wooden stick was painted using some Charred Brown. All of these areas were eventually shaded using "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

Alongside my latest addition to my “Planet Of The Apes” project, I have also been progressing the rest of my larger-sized miniatures for Monster May(hem). As a result, I’ve managed to get some shading applied to my Strawman, as well as a layer of “Vallejo” Bronze and Brass upon my Talos and Titan respectively…