Japanese Ronin 90mm sculpt

[Roy]

Taesung thanks for looking at my figure...your work is always such an inspiration.

Manfred Yes manfred..we'll have to meet at Euro..looking forward to it. As for the little particles and lint and stuff..Where do they come from..?..I get the same trouble, as I'm sure everyone does..you can just do your best to avoid these pesky bits..but sometimes they still appear..

Markus many thanks for the kind and positive comments...I should have some progress to show in the next few days..

Thanks guys.

Roy.

 

[Roy]

Originally posted by quang@Aug 2 2005, 09:58 PM
Hello Roy,

Late arrival as usual.

I just dropped in and... WOW what a great s-b-s.

If I may make a suggestion, I think giving the fella a no-dachi AND a naginata would be somewhat an overkill. Instead, if you give him a walking stick instead of a naginata, it would emphasize further more the itinerant nature of these wandering characters.

In any case, he's turning out quite smoothly. Guess we'll see the final result at Euro.

Looking forward to the next steps.

Keep it up,

Quang

Quang..thanks for taking a look at my figure...and the positive feedback...I think you might just be a lifesaver you know...a few weeks ago we were talking at the club and the general opinion was that he really should have either a bamboo cane or an old wizened stick as an aid on is journey (although a naginata was appealing to some also)..now you've mentioned the stick....I just gotta go with that idea...as when I read your post I thought...absolutely...they are two very specialised weapons...and yes..the word overkill would be pretty accurate...so what do you think....a thick bamboo cane or a knurled stick...

Very many thanks for your help..

Roy.

 

[quang]

Originally posted by Roy@Aug 2 2005, 05:00 PM
I think you might just be a lifesaver you know...

... like in Baywatch? I can barely swim! :lol:

Joking aside, if you want to go the walking stick route, I'd suggest the thick bamboo cane which in ancient Japan also doubled as a formidable weapon in its own right (see: yamabushi and itinerant priests). He could also carry a water gourd or a pair of spare sandals hanging from the stick. Might add some extra interest.

Cheers,
Q.

 

[Guy]

Roy now has his own vbench so that members can locate his projects easier.

 

[Roy]

Guy thanks for creating the vbench...I'll try to put it to good use.

Quang thanks for even more creative suggestions..I will just need to come up with a good length for the bamboo cane..the water carrier could be a gourd or a section of bamboo perhaps...I have an illustration below...what do you think....possible.?..and yes...spare sandles were already an inclusion..but I had planned to tie them on the belt, perhaps to the rear, or even from the tsuba (not sure if that's the correct term for the little hand guard) of the no-dachi...now you've given me a further choice...you devil.. :lol:
Many thanks.

Roy.

 

[quang]

Hello Roy,

The most common drink container in both Japan and China (Korea?) is the bottle gourd made from a dried fruit (calabash). You often see them in ancient prints.

The walking stick was not necessarily a bamboo cane. Rather like a broom stick /handle in terms of thickness and length.

Also keep in mind that more often than not, the ronin were a derelict, unkempt lot (like the mountain men in the American West) who traveled with all their possessions on them, be it food, stolen armour, makeshift weapons, ... Not mentioning the unmistaking smell (just like their American cousins) :lol:

Colourful (and odorant) characters, to say the least.

HTH,
Q.

 

[Roy]

Thanks Quang for the excellent information..some extra accesories would most definately suit his wandering, self sufficient ways. I like the gourd too.

I'll see what I can find...

Thanks again.

Roy.

 

[Roy]

Just a little update with a few pictures...it's not a great deal, but thought you guys might like to see...
I've been thinking on a few interesting pieces of equipment. My initial idea was to have the figure holding a water container in his left hand....but I thought maybe for him to instead be holding his hat down by his side...it's a strange piece of head-gear that I couldn't resist sculpting....perhaps you can let me know what you think of it...not sure to use it for the figure or not..

The hat is called a Roninkasa...and it was apparently worn when these chaps preffered to travel without their identity becoming immediately obvious....I'm sure it worked too..

Here are some pictures of the progress.

Thanks for taking a look...your suggestions are very welcome.

Roy.

 

[Roy]

This is the first step of the basic shape.

 

[Roy]

The next step shows the majority of the reed texture applied. I drilled a small hole in the top and secured some fuse wire with some magic sculp inside so I could sculpt the top part of the reeds and the knot.

 

[Roy]

The last step shows all of the texture applied to the outside...enough for me to get an idea of how it will look in the figure's hand...sorry about the quality of the pictures here...I have added a little contrast...as my camera is getting on a bit and a little beyond it's limits..
A couple of views of the reed hat..

 

[John Long]

Interesting Roy, it's been nice to watch this thing develop. I can't wait to see the end product.

 

[Figure Mad]

Hi Roy

Its about bloody time this one was put on here... just beautiful

I am now sorry that I went on holiday, cos I missed this, glad I caught up with it

Dave

 

[Guy]

Awesome Roy.........I have really enjoyed seeing this figure come to life. I sincerely hope this becomes available.

 

[rej]

I am LOOKING........I am INDEED looking

Keep it coming mate

Ray

 

[quang]

Hello Roy,

The straw hat is a VERY nice touch indeed. Original and without a doubt a head-turner.

Now how about a straw rain cape (mino)? (Oh nooo, not on the head pleeease! :lol: )

Q.

 

[megroot]

Hello Roy,

This is beautifull. Original subject, and master sculpting.
Looking forward to see him finished.'

Marc.

 

[megroot]

Hello Roy,

This is beautifull. Original subject, and master sculpting.
Looking forward to see him finished.'

Marc.

 

[Roy]

John thanks for having the patience to stick around while he comes together. Always be pleased to know what you think.

Dave hope the vacation was great fun..welcome back...thanks for taking a look at this fellow...If you are at the club this evening we can catch up..

Guy I'm glad you like how he's progressing....I'm fairly happy with his stance and attitude....I sincerely hope he becomes available too...!!...and I'm getting some positive feedback from painters, which means a lot to me....so it's looking very promising.

Ray many thanks for keeping track of his progress....I'm trying to add some interest for the painter, so your feedback is very welcome...and I know you have a little fondness for this subject....(did we not paint a white models 'Half armoured samurai' at around the same time a ways back??)...remember?..

Quang...many thanks for the take on the hat...I thought it might be a little too much to include at first...but you're right...it does make for an original accesory...the 'mino'...yes...I like that adea...but maybe on another figure..but I agree it's about time we saw one modelled...and it would be great fun to sculpt.

Marc..many thanks for checking this guy out...your comments really are too kind..I'm looking forward to seeing him finished too...I just need to take some small castings as I progress...and I'll update you as soon as I can.

Many thanks for your comments...they're always very welcome.

Best regards.

Roy.

 

[nagashino]

Hello Mate

Thanks for the email notice on this one. What can I say that hasn't already been said?
This is shaping up to be a "classic" in the manner of Mike Good's Boxer. I particularly like the drapery effects - very convincing. And I agree that the face has a lot of character too.

It's only by looking at SBS like this that one realises the vast amount of talent out there within the Planet community.

I look forward to seeing this one in production, as I can envisage some interesting colourschemes for him

Well done, and thanks for the posting. See you at Folkestone!

Phil