Three Ronin
Three more experiments in miniature kimono patterning visual shorthand bring my Shonen Knife painted miniature total up to twelve.
I have been feeling my way around how I want to paint the figures for this project for the last month or so. To an extent I am still locking down the palette and the various visual themes running through the force (the white footwear for example).
Three alongside the first ronin from last time.
Although the project was initially started as warband of ten to fifteen figures for Frostgrave, plans have expanded to potentially far beyond that. With that in mind, its important that the colour scheme isnt something that is going to drive me mental if I have to work on it for protracted periods, so I am trying to trim it down as much as possible.
And paint tiny abstract flowers. Go figure.
I quite like the pattern on the leftmost fellows helmet. Simple but it works I reckon.
These three figures are from the old Aly Morrison sculpted GW “Oriental Heroes” range. The proportions and style have a certain flavour of caricature going on that makes them very appealing and pleasant to paint. They are almost like Asterix characters.
They are coming along nicely as a group I think. Archers will feature next I think, or possibly some terrain.
Filed under: Miniatures | Tagged: 2016, Citadel, Fantasy, Frostgrave, Shonen Knives, Warhammer |
sho3box 
Excellent – the kimonos look great and the group is coming along nicely 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Warburton!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t wait to see these close up and play a game with them on the table. You’ve managed to make black and purple bright and vibrant, and pulled out every last mote of character from the sculpts.
My favourite element is the little quatrefoil flowers on the trousers of the guy on the right
Just beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am rather pleased with how the project is coming together, thanks for being so kind about it Axiom 🙂
It pays to do a little bit of research into the theme, looking at kimonos and trying to think of ways to simply the patterns, checking out how other folks have achieved the same or similar effects in miniature.
And then picking a lazier, fudged way of doing it 😀
It also helped to work out as many of the techniques and colours before starting the project as possible. I find that it helps me to avoid demoralising missteps. The purple is an extension of the purple used to paint Cassis the gyrinx and the genestealer test piece from before Xmas for example.
Thanks for the feedback!
LikeLike
I think I like the guy who’s just standing – clearly the cool cucumber of the bunch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Initially I thought that gent might end up looking a little more serene than the others, but he ended up looking like a tough cookie. NOt a guy to mess with.
Thanks for the feedback!
LikeLike
My japanese loving/ sword weilding self is uttrely pleased with those Paul. I’m actually putting some kabuki make-up on to play a little bamboo flute right now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a bamboo flautist (and a shamizen player) in the pipeline in fact.
Your approval of these guys carries even more value than usual JB, with your real life expertise in the area, thanks 🙂
LikeLike
Great brushwork, and I like how the paint job makes these three very different characters seem more like they are on the same team than they might otherwise appear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am a big believer in tying disparate miniatures, often from different manufacturers together with a unifying, limited palette.
For small, characterful forces for skirmish games I might take it a little too far perhaps, with figures losing their individuality to an extent. But I enjoy seeing strongly visually connected miniatures lined up together, almost like a sports team.
Thanks for the feedback!
LikeLike
I like the sports team analogy. I think it also gives you the chance to make the hero/centerpiece models really pop out in the force… bunch of mooks in the same colors and BAM here is the main guy in his white robe over red lacquered armor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even with the characters, I tend to be reserved, to the point of being anal retentive 🙂
Rather than add colours to the scheme to make characters stand out, I tend to make them use more of the colours that feature only in a small way on the rank and file models. Inverting the scheme can be enough too. In this case I have black, purple, white and acid green to work with. Within those restrictions its possible to make all sorts of different combinations that will make models distinct.
I hope to try some of those out on the wizards to lead the Frostgrave warband very soon. Im looking forward to it.
Thanks for the feedback Lasgunpacker!
LikeLike
There seems to be something wrong with the photos, can’t see any…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for letting me know about that Alvan.
One other person has mentioned that they are having trouble looking at the images. Im not sure why that would be the case for some, but not all of the viewers.
I have started to host the photos on Google Photos and linking to them here, rather than uploading them to WordPress. Perhaps it is something to do with that?
LikeLike
That issue should be fixed now Alvan. Thanks for the heads up.
LikeLike
Wow, these are so cool – I love the caricature of these minis so much, but, being so exaggerated, I wouldn’t have expected them to look so damn good… a fine testament to your skills sir, both in colour choice and execution. Bravo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Alex!
For various reasons it is only recently that I have started revisiting old Aly Morrison Citadel sculpts. Since painting the Judge Dredd mutants towards the end of 2015 I have been keeping more of an eye out for his work.
The Shonen Knives project came about due to a number of in unconnected plans and projects coming rogether, one of which was the opportunity to get my head around painting some of these old Oriental Heroes sculpts.
I am absolutely delighted that the project involves these characterful little guys. I have a sea of the guys waiting for paint now, each more memorable than the last 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the last picture. The cartoonish miniatures work very well with the equally cartoonish GW trees. Wonderful idea to go for white bark and colourful leaves. Just a beautiful composition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its funny that you mention that about the trees daggerandbrush. I bought some model railroad trees to use with these models, but I really think that I will pick up some more of the Citadel Woods. The cartoon style fits better with my painting and with my taste in miniatures I think.
The white bark and brown leaves was originally tie the trees in with my graveyard terrain, which is a wasteland rather than a lush, green affair. It does work well here though.
Thanks for the feedback!
LikeLike
Hi sho3box, I publish an online hobby magazine call the Golden D6 (http://www.spruegrey.com/thegoldend6/ ) and at the recommendation of one of my readers am reaching out to you. Please email me thegoldned6@gmail.com if you’re interested.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have emailed you Adam.
LikeLike