Mar 4, 2013

Ronin thirty, Kogaratsu or Kazamatsuri?

Back to the Analogue Hobbies Winter Painting Challenge with this new entry. One significant point of the Challenge's is that any impetrant has to paint a Samuraï Figure as both a participation fee and a reward to Curt's incredible dedication to clutter his blog with our highly eclectical works of art.


So, Here is Ronin #30. I didn't have a samuraï in stock when the Challenge popped up, so I had to browse a few manufacturers on the web to find a figure that would suite both the purpose and my taste. Yet, I didn't hesitate very long to pick this Reaper Miniatures interpretation of a Ronin. Okay, this is a 32 mm model, but I thought it would do the job. Let say this ronin will be the tall guy among the crowd.


Kogaratsu by Bossé
Now, the way I would paint this figure was not very clear to me until I received it. But, once I had it in hand, the propinquity of this model with the two prominent characters that have shaped my understanding of the concept of ronin really stroke my mind. In fact, this figure proved to be the perfect illustration for both Ronin Kogaretsu, the hero of a rather fascinating Franco-Belgian Comics (13 episodes so far), and the nontheless fascinating (and Rock n’ Roll) villain of the movie Samuraï Fiction: Ronin Kazamatsuri. I don’t think that the adventures of Kogaretsu have been transalted to English, although… But I am pretty confident you can find the movie quite easily. I actually advise anyone who has interest for the Chambara movie style to watch it: it's a quite cool reassessment of the genre...

A groovy approach to Chambara films
So, it has suddenly become all clear that Ronin # 30 would dress in black. What wasn’t so clear to me though, was how I would paint a nice black dress, since, as we all know, black is among the hardest tone to render… After a deep breathe, I went with the option of experimenting new things, and tried to see how well my brush could respond to John de Terre-Neuve’s approach. Well, not clearly his technic, rather what I understood of it: some sort of semi grey-scale chiorusco slowly darkend by layers of a very diluted mix of dark-grey and orange, and washes of GW blue ink after washes of AP Dark Tone.

To be honest, I am not so pleased with the result. But I thought that I would mess it up if I would try anything more to make it better. Also, I had never painted asian skin tone before. Therefor, I went with what Army Painter recommends, i.e. a mix of AP Desert Yellow and AP Skeleton Bone. Here again, you might feel he looks a little sick… Not to mention that each time I give a Matt Varnish coat with the brush it ends up looking shiny… Well… Hell is paved with good intentions.

***

Challenge wise Ronin #30 has earned me 20 more points. Added to the 144 points I earned from the later submission of Franks Knights, I am now poling at 197 points. Dude! I am so close to reach a quarter of my original par...

Now, since I like you very much, here is a glimpse at Samuraï Fiction. Enjoy!



9 comments:

  1. I thought that this was absolutely splendid, tremendous job.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This from the now called "Master of the Seven Grey Scale Samuraï". I feel privileged. Thanks a lot Michael!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great job Nico. Your black looks much better then mine.
    John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't treat yourself too bad, John. I would never have tried this idea without your input. You have greater influence on me than you think ;-)

      Delete
  4. Very nice figure ! GReat job on the black !

    ReplyDelete
  5. C'est tellement HOT Nicolas. J'arrive pas à croire que tu fais tout ça avec tes mains, incroyable...

    ReplyDelete
  6. He is a lovely piece and has taken his place of honour amongst his fellow Ronin in my display cabinet.

    Thanks again Nicco!

    C

    ReplyDelete
  7. In this manner my friend Wesley Virgin's tale begins in this shocking and controversial VIDEO.

    Wesley was in the military-and soon after leaving-he discovered hidden, "mind control" tactics that the CIA and others used to get everything they want.

    THESE are the same SECRETS lots of famous people (especially those who "became famous out of nothing") and the greatest business people used to become rich and successful.

    You probably know that you utilize only 10% of your brain.

    That's mostly because the majority of your brain's power is UNCONSCIOUS.

    Maybe this thought has even occurred INSIDE your own head... as it did in my good friend Wesley Virgin's head seven years back, while riding a non-registered, beat-up bucket of a car without a license and with $3 in his pocket.

    "I'm very fed up with living check to check! Why can't I turn myself successful?"

    You've taken part in those types of questions, ain't it so?

    Your success story is going to start. You just need to take a leap of faith in YOURSELF.

    Watch Wesley Virgin's Video Now!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is how my colleague Wesley Virgin's biography starts with this SHOCKING and controversial video.

    As a matter of fact, Wesley was in the army-and soon after leaving-he found hidden, "mind control" tactics that the government and others used to get whatever they want.

    THESE are the exact same tactics tons of famous people (especially those who "became famous out of nothing") and elite business people used to become wealthy and famous.

    You've heard that you only use 10% of your brain.

    That's mostly because the majority of your BRAINPOWER is UNCONSCIOUS.

    Perhaps this expression has even occurred IN YOUR own brain... as it did in my good friend Wesley Virgin's brain around 7 years back, while riding an unregistered, beat-up garbage bucket of a car without a license and $3 on his bank card.

    "I'm absolutely frustrated with living paycheck to paycheck! When will I become successful?"

    You've been a part of those those types of conversations, am I right?

    Your success story is waiting to be written. You just have to take a leap of faith in YOURSELF.

    Watch Wesley Virgin's Video Now!

    ReplyDelete