so, i didn't order a couple of Alien Commanders from Papah Miniatures with the intention of making me a bodyguard for a Tau Ambassador (i'm bidding on one on ebay.. leave it alone! :lol: ) :)
the first is a pretty straightforward assembly; some careful assembling and he's carrying the Pulse Carbine
(http://buildyourimagination.co.uk/minis/files/tau.JPG)
dunno ifi should try sculpting an icon into that round plate (chest and shoulerpad) or not :P
the casts are lovely and crisp. some flash to clean, but not a large amount by any stretch of the imagination :D
the second one i'm gonna rework the head so it's not got a scar or bionics and then have the carbine in both hands :)
also got a Kroot knocking about ;D
more pics as they happen :)
;D
Be happy, that the seller doesn't ship internationally and I read that before I decided to ask the seller if he would, because I keep looking for one myself :D
Good luck on the bidding
you got me worried then!
thankfully i'm in the UK :D
I just won a bid on the Tau Ambassador in the US and my Papa's mini recently arrived as well. They were both going to fill the exact roles you have for them, crazy.
Now, if you're planning to round out the warband with a human converted to the greater good and an ancient insane rogue AI then that would just be spooky.
thankfully, that's where this diplomat team separates ;)
in addition to the Kroot, i'm going to be attempting to sculpt an Air Caste Pilot as every team needs a method of transportation :)
i've decided to go for the Vior'la* paint scheme (bone and red with brownish-khaki cloth work) and have the base coat done.. pics later :)
EDIT:
pic now ;)
it's Iyanden Darksun base, gonna be working it upto bone colour :)
(http://buildyourimagination.co.uk/minis/files/tau_02.JPG)
also, what colour is tau hair?
*Por'la Vior'la Mont'ya Korvash Ukos for the diplomat i think :D
i painted my Tau fire warrior's hair black as i can see it been that colour most of the time, how ever commander shadowsun as bright red hair so its really a choice of preference
so, here's Bodyguard One:
(http://buildyourimagination.co.uk/minis/gallery/inq/tau/tau03.jpg)
i've worked the brown upto a greenish-brown highlight and the yellow upto bone :)
i've been sparse with the metallics and markings; there's slight decoration on the sword sheath but i see Tau as the opposite of the Imperium; over-ostentation and honour marks for individuals isn't benefiting The Greater Good :)
the carbine is a strange goldish-gun-metal colour, really hard to describe or photo (boltgun + Mithril + small amount of Vallejo gold)
i also started work on a Kroot Merc to accompany this crew / Lady Jericho :)
(http://buildyourimagination.co.uk/minis/gallery/inq/tau/kroot_01.jpg)
He's been reposed to a more relaxed pose as neither warband look particually active :)
from here, i'm trying to get him to look a bit more distinctive; many people utilise a stock kroot while of all races, each should be individual :)
(http://buildyourimagination.co.uk/minis/gallery/inq/tau/kroot_02.jpg)
I've done more gap-filling and started a leather-stocking for this guy, rather close to Mordak from the Jena / Kal Jericho story arc in Warhammer Monthly :D
still barely started, but it's Progress :D
Liking bodyguard one, something businesslike and efficient about him. Very Tau :).
I didn't realise Tau had hair, I thought they were just blue all over. I guess it stands to reason there'll be variation in hair colour, so whatever you feel looks best. Black blends well with the model, although the armour probably wasn't chosen to go with the hair.
Great work Gav. Looks even better in the flesh!
Will really have to get off my ass and get something finished and get a game organised now.
Beautiful painting. Need more be said?
Loving it! I really must get on to Papah for one of my own...
R.
WOW! I did not know the kroot mini was so BIG? Is that to scale ;) ?
I really recommend Papah's Alien Commander, I got mine and I am starting on my Tau Kill Team (or "To be Killed team") so I need to order a couple Kroot too.