Sunday, December 15, 2013

The Last Walk of the Wild Bunch - The 4th Annual Painting Challenge Begins


I thought I'd keep with tradition and open this year's Painting Challenge with its first submission. (And yes, they are already stacking-up behind me.) For our first entry we have The Wild Bunch, arrayed for their final walk out to meet their fate.

Pike Bishop
I've always been a great admirer of Peckinpah's films and when I saw this range of 40mm figures from Oniria Miniatures I knew I had both the opening and closing entries for the 4th Challenge.
Tector Gorch
The sculpts of these figures are superb. The models are incredibly lifelike and slavishly accurate when referenced to the stills from the film. 


All this being said they are quite delicate and finely cast, requiring a bit of patience and care with their assembly and painting.

Lyle Gorch
I was hoping to have them all based together but strangely they all came with 'slotta' style basing tabs (which I really don't like) so I had to go with individual bases. I think later I'll contact the fine folks at Warbases to see if they can make me a nice sabot-style tray to fit them into.
Dutch Engstrom
So with this entry I formally open the 4th Painting Challenge. To both participants and visitors I hope you'll delight in the wonderful spectrum of figures and models shown here over the next few months - welcome and enjoy!


 ...Oh, yes, and that's 28 points for me. :)

Posted by Curt at 1:00 PM
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66 comments:

  1. GalpyDecember 15, 2013 at 1:23 PM

    they are amazing really nice figures and painting great start

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 1:58 PM

      Thanks Kent! We're off to the races now. And I see I have an entry waiting here from you...

      Delete
  2. peterDecember 15, 2013 at 1:49 PM

    Great opening scene Curt! And excellent painted!
    And number 61 is taking the lead! ;-)

    Greetings
    Peter

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 1:59 PM

      Cheers Peter. Nevertheless, I assure you my lead will be *very* short-lived. :)

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    2. peterDecember 15, 2013 at 3:22 PM

      "Enjoy the moment", is what I'm trying to say! :-D

      Greetings
      Peter

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    3. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 3:23 PM

      Don't worry, I'm taking my time to post the next few entries so I can indulge myself and bask in the glory of it all. ;P

      Delete
  3. DaveDDecember 15, 2013 at 2:12 PM

    Nice job Curt, I wondered when we would see these lads.

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 2:21 PM

      Thanks Dave. Somehow I knew you'd be looking out for them!

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    2. DaveDDecember 15, 2013 at 5:24 PM

      Indeed.. I may just have them in my very own lead mountain

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  4. TamsinPDecember 15, 2013 at 2:14 PM

    Lovely painting Curt, but how on earth did you manage to paint and base such lovely figures in just 14 hours? That is seriously impressive.

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 2:25 PM

      Thanks Tamsin. Recipe to getting them done in 13 hours: 1) No sleep, 2) acrylic paints, 3) texture gel, 4) hair dryer, 5) and they're not Napoleonics. The big one here being no sleep. There was I reason why I scheduled the Challenge to start over a weekend...

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  5. Juan MancheñoDecember 15, 2013 at 2:17 PM

    Really fast entry, Curt, and very appropiate! Fantastic painting work. I saw them in the "Hispania Wargames", and also other model with a big MG... They are very nice figures, really fine.

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 2:27 PM

      Thanks Juan! Yes, they are lovely castings. Very niche with the 40mm scale but lovely all the same.

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  6. AnonymousDecember 15, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    Nice one! But this is madness... I am only half done with the first four!

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 3:01 PM

      To be honest the limited colour palette of these really helped in their completion. I look forward to your four!

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    2. AnonymousDecember 16, 2013 at 1:37 AM

      Well mine will be in Napoleonic Hussar uniforms, so I might be excused, but still... This is madness! ;-)

      Delete
  7. UnknownDecember 15, 2013 at 2:32 PM

    These are lovely sculpts, such clean lines and you've done a smashing job of painting them up. The perfect opening for the Challenge.

    Now go get some sleep!

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 3:02 PM

      Thanks Anne! No sleep for the wicked today. I have submissions to get organized. ...well perhaps I'll sneak in a nap...

      Delete
  8. PhyllionDecember 15, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    I suspect I know the final entry then. Last stand, perhaps? ;-)

    I'll confess I've never seen the Wild Bunch (does that make me a heretic or just youthful?). Amazon obliges as always though, an early Christmas present to myself.

    My first entry is a). Napoleonic and b). Unfinished. You're doing something right!

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 3:04 PM

      Oh, perhaps...;)

      Not seen The Wild Bunch. Youth does not forgive such heresy. Nonetheless, I expect this oversight will be corrected over the holidays so all is forgiven.

      Ah, Napoleonics. My favourite. I look forward to seeing them!

      Delete
  9. Vladdd309December 15, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    Wow, great figs. Nice painting skills too. Think they would definitely suit being based together for a diorama!

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 3:06 PM

      Thanks! Yeah, I was a bit bummed seeing them with slotta tabs. I know I could have pinned them but I hate fiddling around with that stuff when I can avoid it. Hopefully a nice custom tray will work for them.

      Delete
  10. James BrewertonDecember 15, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    Great work Curt, you have set the bar very high Sir
    Peace James

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 3:07 PM

      Thanks for the kind words James. I felt a bit rushed doing these but they turned out alright. I might go back and do a bit more detail work but that will be for later - I have to get going on my next submission!

      Delete
  11. roma912December 15, 2013 at 2:55 PM

    Impressive, most impressive! A great start Curt and a good motivator for us all.

    Cheers, Ross

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  12. ClintDecember 15, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    A worthy start to the challenge. Excellent figures both as sculpts and as painted minis.

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 3:09 PM

      I'm glad you like them Clint. Yes, they were just calling out to debut for the Challenge.

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  13. ByronMDecember 15, 2013 at 2:57 PM

    Very nice work Curt. I showed Kim too as we just watched the movie last night together (so that I would know what to look for figure wise). She said to say hello, that the painting is very nice , and that it is good to see that other geeks are just as insane as her husband.

    I have been up since 6am this morning painting away, which she thinks is just wrong..... women.... Just waiting on some clear coat to dry so that I can apply pigment powders to my first squad. Should have some pics sent your way in the next few hours.

    Oh, damn, Canada Post just showed up with a big box of 4ground buildings from J&M that I ordered last week.... Damn gamer ADD, now I am going to want to go build them..... must stick to painting....

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 3:11 PM

      Thanks Byron and say thank you to your lovely wife. I look forward to seeing your first entry, but you must keep focused! (Though I do like those 4Ground buildings as well...)

      Delete
  14. IanDecember 15, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    Excellent start to the Challenge Curt. I will use them for inspiration for some fellows to follow

    Ian

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  15. Michael AwdryDecember 15, 2013 at 3:05 PM

    What a way kick off the challenge, stunning my good man!

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 3:12 PM

      Thanks Michael! When I first saw these castings I knew they were destined for a Challenge debut - just too iconic to deny.

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  16. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 3:13 PM

    Thank you Andrew! Oh no, I'll have to get Sarah's FB account up and going to see what has been brewing...

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  17. Weird WWIIDecember 15, 2013 at 3:29 PM

    Their better then a hog killin'!

    Brian

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 3:39 PM

      Ha! Indeed. Good one.

      Pike: 'I'd like to make one good score and then back off...'

      Dutch: 'Back off to what?'

      Delete
  18. UnknownDecember 15, 2013 at 3:35 PM

    Wonderful start Curt.

    I have to admit not to have seen this movie either...

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 3:40 PM

      You're 'from the Continent' so you're forgiven. ;>

      Nevertheless, it is a darn good cowboy movie and I highly recommend it.

      Delete
  19. john de terre neuveDecember 15, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    Wow they are absolutely amazing figures.

    Congratulations.

    John

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 4:08 PM

      Thanks John, but the sculpts really help the job along.

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  20. MillsyDecember 15, 2013 at 4:04 PM

    Some cracking stuff to kick things off sir!

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  21. styxDecember 15, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    wow! Those are amazing! I wish they would roll those to 28mm or even in the 30-32mm range....

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 4:17 PM

      Thanks styx. In regards to figure size, I just took my slide rule over to the figures and measured Pike from foot to eyes and he comes in at 34mm (Tector is 36mm to the eyes). Soo with a bit of a stretch...

      Delete
  22. ScottswargamingDecember 15, 2013 at 4:24 PM

    Nice job Curt. I like the realistic proportions these larger scale figures allow.

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 4:44 PM

      Yeah, they are very 'willowy' which I like, but one has to be careful with the arms and guns as they are quite fragile.

      Delete
  23. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)December 15, 2013 at 4:30 PM

    They do look great Curt! A very nice way to open the challenge like a true painting gunslinger!

    Christopher

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  24. Moiterei_1984December 15, 2013 at 4:41 PM

    Awesome... Your painting is superb as allways and your speed more then impressive. Only managed to paint my bases today...

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 4:47 PM

      Thanks Nick but to be honest I'm feeling a little burnt out right now. Slow and steady wins the race!

      Delete
  25. DiggerDecember 15, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    Lovely (not sure if that's quite the adjective, but anyway) figures Curt. Over the top, and racing to the green fields beyond.

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  26. The KiwiDecember 15, 2013 at 6:29 PM

    They look excellent.
    cheers

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  27. Ben GilmourDecember 15, 2013 at 9:58 PM

    I really hope you're going to end with Pike and the Maxim gun which the same manufacturer produces!

    Lovely work on these chaps, too. A fitting start!

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 10:35 PM

      Oh, I would not want to spoil the surprise! ;)

      Thanks Johnny!

      Delete
  28. Ray RousellDecember 15, 2013 at 10:33 PM

    Stunning figures and painting Sir! I didn't know about these figures, the likeness is remarkable, what a shame they don't make them in 25mm though.

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    1. CurtDecember 15, 2013 at 10:36 PM

      Cheers Ray! Yes, they are gorgeous sculpts and I do wonder why they just didn't drop them a few mm's as they'd have a wider base of appeal (and thus sell more of them).

      Delete
  29. SeanDecember 16, 2013 at 5:42 AM

    Great looking figures. I stayed away from the Wild Bunch theme because I couldn't find any figures that looked like the characters from the movie. Obviously I didn't look hard enough. Great job!

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    1. CurtDecember 16, 2013 at 1:05 PM

      Yeah, they are from a Spanish company, large in scale and a little esoteric so I'm not surprised you didn't run across them.

      Delete
  30. Evan HughesDecember 16, 2013 at 6:49 AM

    Now that's quite the opening gambit...

    Lovely figs too!

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  31. Sidney RoundwoodDecember 16, 2013 at 9:04 AM

    Fantastic, Curt. What an inspirational opener! A very tough act to follow, right from the starting gun! A fine tribute to a great film!

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    1. CurtDecember 16, 2013 at 1:11 PM

      Thanks very much Mr. Roundwood! I await your volley...

      Delete
  32. Mad PadreDecember 16, 2013 at 3:14 PM

    Very nice start, Curt. Lovely figures, well done. When my last term paper is in at week's end, I think I'll treat myself to a viewing of TWB. You've inspired me.
    Cheers,
    Michael

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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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