From SarahHC: Travelling Minstrel (30 Points - nope, its' 31!))

Hey Everyone

I’m thrilled to be finally posting my second entry for this years Challenge.

Snooping around on MyMiniFactory, I discovered this Flautist by STL Miniatures.

Something about her reminds me of the Pied Piper of Hamelin - I quite like the motion of her frock coat, flowing hair and her very carefree attitude.

According to Wikipedia, the folktale of the Pied Piper has its roots in the very real mystery of 130 vanished children from Hamelin in 1284.

One theory of the missing children is that the worthy burghers of Hamelin hired a rat-catcher to rid the town of its plague of rats. Trailing after the hypnotic notes of the rat catchers flute, the rodents politely filed through the city gate to their doom!

The town refused to pay the Piper and he then used the music of his flute to lure away the towns children.

Well, my flautist is not as sinister as all that …

I envision her as a merry minstrel and ‘maybe’ a little mischievous while she travels the highways and byways of her world.  I think her adventures, similar to the Pied Piper, could be made into a historical drama, right?

Painting this figure was a little challenging, but I am really pleased with the way she turned out.

After priming with black gesso, I dry brushed with a grey paint then I started the glorious red colour of her frock coat. But, then I realized that painting her face and hands was going to be difficult. Curt, being the most magnanimous SnowLord, gave me a lot of tips and suggestions and I did (this time) follow most of his recommendations. Full disclosure, Curt helped me with painting the flute and with her face and hands (but do I feel like I am getting a little more confident with the brush!). 

Once the difficult bits were done I then proceeded to have way too much fun with the rest of her fashionable ensemble … a jaunty black brimmed hat with feather adornment and purple thigh high boots!

The basing was done according to Curt’s recipe … he literally stood beside me at the painting desk and gave me step by step instructions.

I even managed to cause Curt a bit of anxiety as I inadvertently left a paint pot uncovered and sadly the contents are no longer. Oops! (Actually, it was mostly used up -Curt)

Points wise, this is a 60mm figure, but let's round down to a 54mm which is 10 points, plus another 20 for the Historical Drama studio.

Next post … this is exciting, I get to play with the airbrush!

Sarah

Minion Miles: What a wonderful second submission - a superbly painted and stage musician - I really like how the figure is cast "mid-twirl" very nicely done.  Sadly, your point total is incorrect - it's actually 31 points as you've been awarded 1 bonus point for causing Curt some anxiety by leaving the paint pot open - it happens and I suspect the REAL culprit is Curt.  Off course, in the future, when I commit the same error I shall now hear a flautist in the background - my own personal soundtrack for mistakes!