Yesterday, in my Ape-X post, I mentioned that I had been painting some Gorillas for DUST. These were actually started quite some time ago. Following on from the successful speedpainting of 30 Axis Zombies from DUST in January 2014, I rolled straight into the boxes of Axis Gorillas that I had sitting around. After all – the zombies were easy to do, so how could gorillas (almost entirely furred) be anything different? Fur’s easy to paint, after all!
Alas, It didn’t work out. I got a mental block on two of the aspects of these models – gorilla skin and the “silverbacks”. So they sat there, then got pushed to the side, and eventually ended up in a tub of half-painted models, forgotten forever.
Until this month’s challenge, obviously. They’ve not been a priority to get out and paint at any stage in the interim, since DUST isn’t a game that has gotten much gameplay here, despite it looking like fun. While I’ve been aware that they’re sitting there, even to the point of naming them in the “things I should try to get done this year” post from January, I’d even forgotten about that. So yeah, while rooting around in the tubs, I saw them, and basically had one of those “fuck it, I’m getting these done so I can get them out of here” moments.
At some point, I’d also cracked open the Operation “SeeLöwe” box and added the Kampfaffen hero, Marcus to the horde, as well as Reaper’s Ape-X, which I’d gotten in one of their Bones Kickstarters. Because why not? Marcus isn’t technically part of the squad, but I think he fits in just fine with the overall post as he’s supposed to be used with the grunts. Ape-X just makes for a thematic extra, though he obviously doesn’t have any rules in DUST (there’s probably some homebrew ones out there, though!)
Anyhow, I did my usual thing of checking some photo references for animal skin and hides and then just made myself do what was needed to finish them off. It wasn’t a lot of fun, but it wasn’t that hard. Now they’re done, and if I ever need a cohort of cyber-gorillas for anything, they’re right there and waiting. Marcus had a little bit of extra detailing, so I tried to make him a little more visually interesting by picking them out with some colour in what is otherwise a very drab set of figures.
To finish up, I thought I’d throw in a shot of all the DUST Kampfaffen Gorillas with their buddy, Ape-X thrown in for good measure. 🙂
Azazel's Bitz Box. 
Like ’em! Unit with a difference!
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Thanks! They’re pretty unique. Being DUST/WWWII I’m sure I could somehow shoehorn them into K47 as well.
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They remind me of of the film Congo but they aren’t white and look much better. Ok so the only connection is they are Apes that look mean.
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Well, in context that’s probably enough. 😉
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I like the natural, raw and wild look.
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Thanks – and as Meatloaf said: Two out of three ain’t bad! (Those hands mess up the “natural” part of it) 🙂
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There is literally nothing I do not love about the term ‘cohort of cyber-gorillas’… these are brilliant mate.
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Thanks Alex. Some kind of crazy bodyguard for an Inquisitor or Magos, perhaps?
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Very nice work! Again I told myself I should get some minis of my “unfinished” pile done…
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I have to say – it’s a nice feeling to clear out some of the unfinished models. Doing so is going to continue to be a big part of my 2018 focus.
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I am triing to get things done, new or old, I have to complete work or I’ll never stop being frustrated.
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Yep – makes sense to me. That’s how I feel these days. Need to get stuff finished instead of just starting endless new projects and models!
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Bloody love these mate. They’re so full of character. Reminds me of a book by Matthew Reilly called Hell Island. If you haven’t read it you should. So far fetched but sooooooo cool!
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Thanks, IRO. I’ll google that book as soon as I finish doing the comments. You should see if you can get hold of some of these Gorillas. They’re pretty cheap, and I’m sure you could have some great fun converting them.
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2011/5/18/inhuman-forces/
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I might just do that man.
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Excellent paint job as always. I am really impressed how you achieved that typical skin look on their bellies, while still differentiating the fur and other details. The Ape-X is a perfect addition and fits the other sculpts well.
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Thanks. I just tried to get an effective look by using a lot of different shades of grey in the end, and keeping the ones on their skin different to the ones I used for their fur. The silverback characteristic of male gorillas allowed me a bit more leeway on their fur which helped a lot in differentiating it from their skin.
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How fun!
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Thanks! 🙂
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Nice batch there! I really like the looks of the Kampfaffen model, with the wires. Yet again, you pulled off the fur incredibly well. When GW gets around to releasing Zoo-40K, they got to hire you as their top painter!
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Ha! Thanks for the compliment but I doubt that would ever happen. The wires seemed the best spot to add in some additional interest/colour out of those models.
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Going ape, or bananas, over these. Clearly, you were not monkeying around with these guys. Bungle in the jungle, well that’s alright by me!
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