1. Copying kits is a crime that hurts original artists & producers. Help support your favorite artists by buying their original works. PlanetFigure will not tolerate any activities related to recasting, and will report recasters to authorities. Thank you for your support!

Completed Bat Masterson, Hornet Miniatures 1/35 metal.

Discussion in 'vBench (Works in Progress)' started by KenBoyle, May 6, 2019.

  1. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    This Bat Masterson figure, sculpted by Roger Saunders, was released back in 1991 by Hornet Miniatures as part of their Wild West Series. Not quite as old as my usual "Oldies" from the 70's but still up there.

    I always loved the figure but never got around to painting him. Now as part of my "Oldies" quest, it just seemed appropriate.

    Unfortunately there was a side effect to my painting. For the last week or so, I haven't been able to get the theme song from Gene Barry's "Bat Masterson" TV series (1958-1961) out of my mind. It's driving me slightly crazy... However, this was a part of my youth and I loved it.

    Sample lyrics:

    Back when the west was very young
    There lived a man named Masterson
    He wore a cane and derby hat
    They called him Bat, Bat Masterson

    Good stuff!

    The real Masterson was a buffalo hunter, Indian scout and long serving Lawman. What I never new was that from 1905 until his death in 1921, he was a well respected newspaperman and sports writer.

    The figure is smaller than 54mm at 1/35 scale but a real gem and a joy to paint.

    He seemed a little lonely on the base so I added an "upscale but worn" picket fence gate behind him and put him on a side walk. Can't get that outfit dirty walking in the street. :) All made of balsa wood scraps.

    As usual everything was painted entirely in acrylics.

    Thanks for looking. More Hornet Wild West characters to come...

    Cheers,
    Ken

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    [IMG]
    blaster, Nap, captnenglish and 10 others like this.
  2. Cannonball A Fixture

    Great job Ken and lovely additions in the form of the groundwork.

    Neal
    KenBoyle likes this.
  3. Gooner Mike Active Member

    beautiful job and really nice setting just love these little gems that stand the test of time; really well done
    KenBoyle likes this.
  4. Viking Bob PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Just Superb, very well done Ken.
    KenBoyle likes this.
  5. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States


    Thanks guys! This was a simple yet fun project. I really enjoyed it.

    Cheers,
    Ken
  6. Dolf Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Portugal
    Really very nice, Ken! The extras to the groundwork add a lot of beauty to the whole composition!

    I'm always in a awe when seeing you and others here master such small details on (for me, my eyes...) such tiny little figures!... :eek:

    The old West is indeed a fantastic epoch! For me it's mainly Native Americans that I'm fascinated with, hence having beeing picked as the 1st choice as my main point of interest into busts (if only I could do them justice...) .

    Keep up the great work (y)


    Cheers!

    Dolf
    KenBoyle likes this.
  7. bucsfan21 Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Great Job Ken on one of my favorite figures! You did old Bat more than just a little justice. (y) Roger Saunders sculpted a gem with this one. I like the groundwork and backdrop.

    I too grew up watching Bat and a number of other western series! Still catch them on Cable Networks. Right now I have a fettish for The Lawman Series starring John Russell and Peter Brown and Peggy Castle.

    Thanks for sharing your work! Best of Everything, Terry Martin-Member of the Atlanta Military Figure Society:)
    KenBoyle likes this.
  8. misfit151 A Fixture

    Lovely neat job Ken(y)......Mike
    KenBoyle likes this.
  9. Tecumsea PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    England
    Love the way you have based and painted this one Ken.

    Keith.
    KenBoyle likes this.
  10. MoboSchreuder A Fixture

    Wonderful work a lovely piece ,and nice painting

    Mobo
    KenBoyle likes this.
  11. megroot A Fixture

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Excellent paintwork.

    marc
    KenBoyle likes this.
  12. BobLff257 A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Nice one Ken(y)

    Rob
    KenBoyle likes this.
  13. John Bowery A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Very nice little picture and explanation. Very well done.
    Cheers
    John
    KenBoyle likes this.
  14. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks Dolf! I try to do everything related to the Old West including Native Americans, but they are still a small proportion of my output. Like other painters, I still have doubts on my ability to get the skin tones correct. I am following your La Meridiana Apache WIP and looking forward to seeing how it all works out. (y)

    Cheers,
    Ken
    Dolf likes this.
  15. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States

    Thanks Terry! I love the old westerns although they seem a little more corny today than I remember them. :) Obviously, that's on me and not them. Still, it brings back lots of memories on family evenings TV watching.

    I am working on a few of Saunder's other wild west figures and will post more later.

    Cheers,
    Ken
  16. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States

    Thanks Mike, Keith, Mobo, Marc, Rob and John! I appreciate the kind comments.

    Roger Saunders' Western figures are very simple, but very well sculpted figures and a joy to paint. I put on some old Western tunes to get in the mood and have a great time painting. :)

    Cheers,
    Ken
  17. Dolf Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Portugal
    Ken,

    "Like other painters, I still have doubts on my ability to get the skin tones correct. I am following your La Meridiana Apache WIP and looking forward to seeing how it all works out. (y)"

    Thanks for following my WIP on that beautiful bust. I wish I could do it justice...

    But right now the bust is on stand by, exactly for the very reason you mention, i.e. a lack of having the right skin tones that I should be using... I don't like what I've done so far, so I guess I'll wait until I get some good references for the right palette (in my case oils), or until I feel comfortable for grabbing it again and try once again.

    As I don't lack of new projects (old and new stuff, mainly Native Americans for the new stuff, that's a fact :rolleyes: ), no big deal, I'm keeping busy anyway ;)


    Cheers!

    Dolf
    KenBoyle likes this.
  18. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States


    Hi Dolf,
    The skin tones are definitely a challenge. I'm sure, in time, you'll get a handle on it. :) In the meantime keep busy and keep painting. I look forward to future posts. (y)

    Cheers,
    Ken
    Dolf likes this.
  19. clrsgt A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Ken, Lovely work on an old classic.
    KenBoyle likes this.
  20. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States

    Thanks Mike! Much appreciated. :)

    Cheers,
    Ken

Share This Page

planetFigure Links

Reviews & Open Box
Buy. Sell & trade
Articles
Link Directory
Events
Advertising

Popular Sections

Figure & Minis News
vBench - Works in Progress
Painting Talk
Sculpting Talk
Digital Sculpting Talk
The Lounge
Report Piracy

Who we are

planetFigure is a community built around miniature painters, sculptors and collectors, We are here to exchange support, Information & Resources.

© planetFigure 2003 - 2022.