Although Citadel have only ever produced male Astropaths, it goes without saying that there must be female psykers with the right attributes for the function. Indeed, the ancient crone-like Astropath Moma Parsheen is a notable character in Ian Watson's 'Inquisitor' novel.
My latest Astropath, Syl Moor, is an attempt to redress the balance. I envisage her as one of the more inately talented Astropaths in the service of the Imperium - able to comprehend and intepret messages, rather than just repeat them parrot-fashion.
Syl Moor is based on a Dark Sword Miniatures female mage. I replaced the original head with the bald head from the old Mordheim Sisters of Sigmar Augur, then sculpted the collar and repaired the damage to the shawl. I was aiming for a look evocative of Sly Moore, Palpatine's Advisor from the Star Wars prequel films.
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| Converted model. |
In painting Syl, I wanted to reflect the feminity of the original sculpt. I wanted to give her a colour scheme that both tied into the basic green robe of the other Astropaths, and perhaps indicated greater status. I ended up painting the shawl a light pistachio colour as a contrast to the darker robe and the psychic collar became a great big opulant gold addition.
Syl's waist sash was originally just the light cream colour, but I felt it looked a bit underwhelming. Happily, Matt Verzani's painted version of the original model on the Dark Sword website provided the answer - his sash was covered with a little pink flower design, so I shamelessly copied it! I think the pink adds just the splash of colour needed to lift the figure overall.
I must confess, I struggled a little with the painting - the sculpt is much more delicate than the Citadel figures I'm used to - particularly the hands and folds on the cloth. I think I'm just about happy with the final result though. She also fits in pretty nicely with the other Astropaths I've done to date too.
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| The Astropath choir add to their number. |
The pistachio shawl is a great addition and th epink flower too, pink and green are always a good combo in my book. I really like to see such a diversity in style amongst thse astropaths, you really get they're from different origins.
ReplyDeleteThanks JB. I'm really taken with the idea of Astropaths! I've got the other 3 Citadel ones, plus I have plans for at least two more ;) Hopefully they'll give a cross-section of ranks and styles when they're all done :)
DeleteWonderful work. A great conversion that brings her thematically into the group. She does really sit alongside the others very well, but the extra detail you've painted really make her "pop".
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think the extra level of detail on the sculpt really required the additional colours / painting. I do kind of wish I'd done a few more interesting bits on the first 3 in retrospect!
DeleteLovely Jon. The second green in the scheme makes the miniature look more finished I think. Apart from the fact that this miniature is better posed that any of the other three and is generally less goofy looking overall, the extra colours bring it up a notch.
ReplyDeleteThe samurai-esque decoration on the sash is lovely.
I agree - the additional green really helps. I wasn't really sure where I could put it on the first 3 (perhaps the jacket on Korm?). The Talisman Astropath and Yerl are a bit more limited, although I could have done some edging on their robes.
DeleteI'm glad the sash works out...as I said, she looked a bit plain without it - I think it was needed :)
Quite a good paint job. I like the light green shawl in particular, as it works nicely with the deeper green of the astropath's robe.
ReplyDeleteThe hands though... hers are delicate and well formed, and the three Citadel figures have giant mitt hands, made all the more obvious by the contrast.
Are your further figures contemporary conversions, or conversions of older lead?
I know - hands are the biggest issue :) It's not any better when you compare the later GW astropaths though - the mid-2000s and FW ones have tiny hands (matching hers), whereas the one from the Imperial Guard advisors set has hands somewhere inbetween!
DeleteThe other figures are both contemporary and old lead.
While stylistic differences such as you describe can look egregious when the figures are lined up Usual Suspects (or front regiment rank) style, they don't really matter when individual figures are strewn around a terrain covered skirmishing table.
DeleteWe all draw the line at different points, but I would be perfectly fine with using those figures in the same game. It's all part of the rich tapestry of toy soldiers to me.
The conversion and colours are both perfect - this is a very inspiring conversion!
ReplyDeleteWarburton
Cheers Warburton :)
DeleteBeautifully done. The flower detailing is a great touch, and I love that they all have white sticks.
ReplyDeleteYou've got to have a white stick...how else would we know they're blind? ;)
DeleteFantastic work – like Evo, I love the flower detailing; it adds an exotic touch that helps to reinforce what could be a very neutral model otherwise. A nice way to suggest femininity to differentiate her from the rest of the choir without sexualisation.
ReplyDeleteI really like the astropathic choir project you'e got going on – so much so I've been keeping an eye out for the RT ones myself! Do you have plans for any ceremonial guards, servants or similar?
Ceremonial guards! What a great idea...I'm already envisaging some sort of baroque green and gold armour, adorned with a golden eye. More figures to find and paint!
DeleteIf I remember correctly the ceremonial guards are armed and trained to spot any signs of possession and blow the Astropaths brains out if required.
DeleteI was thinking about using some Spacelords models as attachés for Navigators and Astropaths. They have an interestingly baroque style that isnt quite the usual 40k look, more Dune or similar.
What a fantastic choir.. the delicate and sympathetic painting ..really brings the best out in these sculpts. bravo !
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil :)
DeleteAs everyone said, not ony the idea of the addition is great, but the execution is top notch. I really like this one!
ReplyDeleteCheers Suber - one of those times where the combination of parts came together unexpectedly (I originally was considering using an unmodified figure). :)
DeleteGood choice of mini, with a great paintjob :) I'll try to do something similar like the sash, I just need inspiration what to paint with it...
ReplyDeleteThanks :) Something feminine, elven or oriental should be a good subject for a floral sash!
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