Tuesday 31 January 2017

The Wandering Salesman - Colony 87 Trader

Shady dealings for dodgy goods.
 
Back in July 2014, I started making plans for the first Kickstarter of my Colony 87 miniatures. The very first idea I wanted to make reality was for a nomadic human trader, reminiscent of many human cultures across the world. The very brief description I sent across to Will Beck, who drew the concepts for the Colony 87 range, was this:
 
Human trader - lots of visual cues from nomadic trader types (big hats, baggy, layered clothing, staff). Heavily laden with lots of trade goods.
 
Will immediately grasped the concept, and drew me an almost note-perfect early concept for the figure:
 
'Human Trader' - Colony 87 early concept by Will Beck.

 
The final version of the concept is below. This was sent to Michael Anderson to sculpt, into the 28mm figure:
'Human Trader (Pash Grolin) - Colony 87 final concept by Will Beck
 
 
I've had my version of the figure I eventually named Pash Grolin on my desk for far too long. So I made a commitment to paint him up as one of my first figures of the year. Here he is:
 



I went for a utilitarian look for the paint job in the main - a mid-brown coat and cream padded jacket. Pash Grolin got some splashes of colour on his head cloth and gaiters. The only concessions to personal adornment are the markings on his staff and the gem on his hatband. I confess I totally stole the staff markings from Suber's excellent version (check out the Old School Workshop).



Pash Grolin with other members of the Colony 87 range - Lord and Lady Greiss.

 
I'm aiming to paint up the rest of the Colony 87 range of the course of this year (a long overdue task!). I always need more sci-fi civilians after all!

21 comments:

  1. Really like that guy, your choice of colours is very nice and he fits perfectly with your setting.

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    1. Thanks Asslessman! I wanted something a little more subdued than your excellent pimped out version :D

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  2. He's a great figure, and I do really like the palette you've used on him.

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  3. Rather like one of John Blanche's Confrontation prints.

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    1. It's a similar archetype, although John's Confrontation illustration is much more baroque - middle-eastern almost.

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  4. Cracking job as always mate - such a good range :-)

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    1. Thanks Alex! More to come before the end of the year!

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  5. Dusty colours for a dusty setting - perfect.

    Bloody lovely mini and you've painted him up a treat mate.

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    1. Thanks Dai! I figure he has a hard life in the deserts ;)

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  6. Excellent paint job (as one would expect from the creator!)

    At this rate you will be on Kickstarter 3 or 4 before you finish them all...

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    1. I'm hoping to catch up and have the first 2 sets painted before Wave 3. Fingers crossed ;)

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  7. Absolutely sweet!! I love the desert colours, they totally fit in the character. Haha, I'm so glad of having served you as inspiration! :D
    I still have the whole Wave 2 looking at me angrily, shame on me!

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    1. The colour of his coat isn't too far away from your version either Suber!

      You're ahead of me - I've got 9 figures plus the 3 familiars still to do!

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  8. Those illustrations are lovely. Nice painting too Axiom :)

    As you know, I also have the C87 range staring back at me. I must say that despite the description, I never imagine that figure in earthy colours.

    I must illustrate in miniature sooner rather than later.

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    1. Knock yourself out with bright colours and textures - I'm intrigued to see how he might look! I've seen him painted at least 10 times and every single one is different. He's very versatile!

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  9. Brilliantly executed Axiom! Great choice of colours too.

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