Thursday, December 20, 2012

The First Cut - Lord Asano, Daimyo of the 47 Ronin - The 3rd Annual Painting Challenge Begins (oh, and 5 points...)


Well, I thought it only proper that since I'm the host of the Painting Challenge I should try to open with the first submission. Similar to last year I burned a bit of midnight oil and powered through this figure to get it done quickly (literally powered, with a hair dryer - the texture gel was still quite soft when I took these photos).


This is a Perry casting from their excellent 28mm samurai range. 


I quite like the dynamic yet mannered pose of this sculpt. When I first saw it I knew I wanted to use it to depict Lord Asano, the tragic feudal lord (daimyo) of the 47 Ronin, at the moment when he lost his temper, striking out at Kira Yoshinaka who had bated him. This action , in turn, sparked the legend of the 47 Ronin as Asano was forced to commit ritual suicide (seppuku)  for this breach of discipline.


I made an attempt to replicate the Asano clan crest on the back of his kimono. My hand is not as steady as it used to be so I hope I haven't made a complete hash of it. Otherwise I kept the paint scheme fairly minimalist.



This figure will give me 5 points (and the crowd goes wild).

Alright everyone, let the fun begin!


Posted by Curt at 3:30 AM
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62 comments:

  1. DaveDecember 20, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    He looks great Curt. I especially like the blue of the jacket.

    cheers,

    DaveR

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 9:59 AM

      Thanks Dave. I was in a bit of a quandary of what to do with colour but sometimes simple is best.

      Delete
  2. Sidney RoundwoodDecember 20, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    A splendid start. And you're in the lead!!!

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    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 9:54 AM

      Oh, that will end soon. You should see my IN Box on my email... but thank you!

      Delete
  3. Vladdd309December 20, 2012 at 8:51 AM

    Great stuff! And we're off!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 10:02 AM

      Out of the gates hot and heavy! I already have a waiting list of submissions to go up today!

      Delete
  4. GharakDecember 20, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    Good start. Unfortunately i'm still at work and away this weekend with plenty to do before i go. I'm not hopeful that I'll actually submit anything until the new year.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ubique MattDecember 20, 2012 at 9:23 AM

    Great looking figure, nice basing. Good luck with the challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  6. IannickDecember 20, 2012 at 9:24 AM

    It's on!

    (and nice painting there)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mike WhitakerDecember 20, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    Very nice. Did I miss the note of how you want your Samurai based, BTW? obviously that one's a bit special, but...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 9:56 AM

      Thanks Mike. Actually, if you leave the basing to me that would be great. Otherwise on round washers would be fine.

      Delete
    2. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)December 20, 2012 at 1:47 PM

      Great that was one of the questions I had.:-)

      Christopher

      Delete
  8. john de terre neuveDecember 20, 2012 at 9:44 AM

    Well done, it is always best to draw the first blood.

    John

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    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 10:00 AM

      Cheers John! Now, where are the first of your Brunswickers?

      Delete
  9. KevDecember 20, 2012 at 9:55 AM

    Epic, Love it...

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    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 10:01 AM

      Thanks, this figure was just crying out to be done first.

      Delete
  10. IanDecember 20, 2012 at 10:36 AM

    Well that's a great figure, your typically tight with the points for yourself again though. I'm working on batch #2 and #3 at the moment. Well back to the table ;-)

    Ian

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    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 10:46 AM

      Thanks Ian, glad you like it. Depending on work I should have your submission up in a little while.

      Delete
  11. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 10:45 AM

    Cheers Andrew!

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  12. Ray RousellDecember 20, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    A great start Curt!! What a beautiful figure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 11:07 AM

      Thanks Ray, I thought it important to have a good kick-off. Now, you pitter-patter and get-at-'er!

      Delete
  13. DaveDDecember 20, 2012 at 11:24 AM

    A cracker to get us off the mark well done

    ReplyDelete
  14. DiggerDecember 20, 2012 at 11:25 AM

    Curt,
    What a superb figure - dynamic pose and beautiful painting. And great photography too. You've set the bar high.
    Kevin S.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 1:38 PM

      Thanks Kevin, your kind words are much appreciated.

      Delete
  15. Anibal InvictusDecember 20, 2012 at 11:43 AM

    It's a very exciting contest, even if I'm not a participant!!
    It's also going viral through the wargaming bloggosphere
    Nice start, Curt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 1:39 PM

      Thanks Benito! I want you in for next year's for sure.

      Delete
  16. ClintDecember 20, 2012 at 11:56 AM

    Nice One Curt. Figure looks really good. I am enjoying the Buzz of the competition.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 1:40 PM

      Thanks Clint. I hope the Challenge helps to keep folks entertained over the next few months.

      Delete
  17. ScottswargamingDecember 20, 2012 at 1:02 PM

    Great start Curt. That design looks very nice. Interesting basing - I expect thats to protect the lunging pose and projecting sword.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 2:09 PM

      Thanks Scott. Yeah, I wanted to mitigate accidental damage to the arm and sword as much as possible.

      Delete
  18. PhyllionDecember 20, 2012 at 1:50 PM

    Lovely stuff. Fitting that you will have 47 Ronin after your own effort, too

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    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 2:10 PM

      Thanks Phil! Yeah, like last year's Vikings the Ronin will be a great momento of the 3rd Challenge.

      Delete
  19. jmilesrDecember 20, 2012 at 1:50 PM

    Nicely done - give yourself another .25 points!

    I really like the mini

    ReplyDelete
  20. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)December 20, 2012 at 1:51 PM

    Wonderful work Curt and a great kick off! You pulled the Mon off great! Like Scott said nice planning on the base.;-)

    Christopher

    ReplyDelete
  21. BroedersDecember 20, 2012 at 2:16 PM

    Really nice.

    I hope you don't mind mine being crap in comparison!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 20, 2012 at 7:00 PM

      Thanks Phil! Your's will be awesome, I know it.

      Delete
  22. Juan MancheñoDecember 20, 2012 at 2:17 PM

    I agree with you, Curt: "simple is the best". Wonderful model, the painting work is fantastic!

    This Challenge is going to be fast, I see...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 21, 2012 at 1:34 AM

      Thanks Juan and yes its moving at a good pace!

      Delete
  23. roma912December 20, 2012 at 2:45 PM

    HI Curt,

    Great paint work and the motion in this figure is excellent. Need to get off the mac and on to the brushes.

    Cheers,
    Ross

    ReplyDelete
  24. MiniMikeDecember 20, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    What!? So we started. Looks like the perfect opening to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 21, 2012 at 1:36 AM

      C'mon Michael I'm eagerly waiting for your first submission.

      Delete
  25. UnknownDecember 20, 2012 at 5:37 PM

    hmm, I love it.
    It reminds me I have to pick my ronin mini for you. I have an idea though.
    Cheers
    Seb

    ReplyDelete
  26. MillsyDecember 20, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    Lovely stuff. If only mine would turn up so I could get started!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 21, 2012 at 1:36 AM

      No worries, you have lots of time to get him done.

      Delete
  27. James BrewertonDecember 20, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    great looking paint work, love the jacket design, I think you have been a bit harsh on yourself did you not say some where the 1 ronin figure would be 20 pts
    Peace James

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    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 21, 2012 at 1:37 AM

      Oh, I'm just think of myself as the Challenge pace car. As long as I can pip-in with 800 points I'll be delighted!

      Delete
  28. Mad PadreDecember 20, 2012 at 7:06 PM

    Lovely figure with lots of action. A worthy start to our adventure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 21, 2012 at 1:38 AM

      Thanks Mike! I thought we needed a send off that tied-in with our theme.

      Delete
  29. Michael AwdryDecember 21, 2012 at 3:18 AM

    What a superb way to start us all off and I just lve the pill shaped base which seems to add to the movement of the piece.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CurtDecember 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM

      Thanks Michael. I think you're right on the base-shape reinforcing the motion of the figure (though I can assure you that was not planned)

      Delete
  30. SchrumpfkopfDecember 21, 2012 at 5:48 AM

    Yes, that's very nice. I also do use protective bases more and more.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Greg BDecember 21, 2012 at 12:17 PM

    Very cool dude. Lovely figure, awesome paint job.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comment! As long as you're not a spam droid I'll have it up on the blog soon. :)

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