Painting Challenge: Samurai of the Koryu Buntai

Better late than never right? I thought so too!

To add to the figs' authenticity, I painted them watching the adventures on Shintaru in the classic series The Samurai

I've let myself down in the challenge this year.  Perhaps I should have listened a bit more closely to my inner cynic reciting the challenges of moving 16,000 kms to a new house, job, country, hemisphere.  Anyway, despite not making my total I was determined to avoid being a 'no entry guy' and at least have one worthy entry.  So finally, here are 9 samurai of the Koryu Buntai faction for Ronin.

My favourite 3 figures in the Buntai

I had no plan to buy this game or its figures but once again I became a victim to shininess after meeting the game's author Craig Woodfield at CanCon and having a great chat with him over dinner and beers (first world problems, I know).    However, painting these got me rather frustrated because after almost 2 years without a brush in hand, my skill fade was far worse than I had expected.  Anyway, I have them finished now and am happy to register 45 points worth of achievement.

All the colour and patterns was quite a change from my usual figure styles and camo.

but I'm rather pleased with the clothing.  The base flowers add to the colourful appearance too.

I'd like to thank two people in particular.  Actually now that I think about it they were the ones who peer-pressured me into this in the first place...

Firstly Miles, who very kindly donated not one but two beautiful Langton 1/1200 ships to my cause.  I had every intent of making those my entries (and even accepted a Naval side challenge ) but unfortunately logistics issues made that an untenable proposition (yes they somehow got mixed up with my sea freight and only just arrived).  On the plus side I still have them to look forward to painting and they now have more squadron mates in my inventory.  Thanks Miles, I'm looking forward to giving them the attention they deserve. 

And to show my appreciation, here is a spreadsheet just for you:

My challenge productivity: started badly and tailed off in the middle...

Secondly, hearty thanks to Dux who came to my rescue at the eleventh hour with the gift of an Army Painter basing set so I complete my submission- thanks mate, that was very thoughtful !

Thanks indeed Dux!

Curt was also kind enough to award me bonus points for my 1680mm figure in 1:1 scale camo (see here:http://tasmancave.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/making-11-scale-camouflage.html) for a grand total of 55 points :-)

So thats my painting comp entry for this year - way off course from where I thought I would be but much better than a zero point no show (plus I like to think that I have some reasonable mitigation).  I hereby also concede my three side challenges.  Regardless, I'm happy to be on the scoreboard and am looking forward to putting these figs on the table.

You can see my Painting Challenge entry here:
http://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/from-paulog-koryu-buntai-and-ghillie.html 

Making 1:1 Scale Camouflage

Normally I detest the large scale 1:1 painting and modelling projects.  You know the sort: Bathrooms, bedrooms, etc -  yuk.  And so difficult to wash and dry brush too.  But despite my utter lack of time and need to get something done for the painting challenge, I diverted to help the Lad make a ghille suit (known in Oz as a yowie suit) for his upcoming cadet camp

A couple of sets of camps (this is the Australian pattern known as AusCam), a hot glue gun, a day and a half, and several burns later it was time to try it out:

The deadly Park Warrior in action!

So some good man time together and a happy lad at the end of the day.  But no models.
But if you get 5points for a 28mm figure,  what is a 1.7m figure worth? :-)