Monday, 2 March 2015

From BurkhardS - Discworld's Death: the Anti-Hero for Curt (20 Points)

I am not sure if Curt even remembers, but when he announced the theme for this year Challenge, I was cursing like mad. I had no idea what to do actually. Even worse not only was this the theme for this year (which meant the mini I would send to Curt would have to follow this theme), but also the theme for the last theme round. So I decided, that I would only do one mini for both and simply send Curt my theme round entry. Well that was about three months ago and in all the weeks that followed I contemplated what to do, I actually had a couple of ideas. And I felt that two were actually so good, that I could not decided which one to do and which one to pass by. So in the end I chose them both and here is my entry fee, which will be on its way to the plains of Canada soonish.





So what will Curt get? It is Death from Terry Pratchetts Discworld novels. I think he actually makes for a perfect Anti-Hero. Obviously when you think about Death the "Anti" part of "Anti-Hero" is obvious. Death is the inevitable end to everyone's life, coming for you without remorse regardless of your wish to remain or not. But why is he a Hero? Well Discworlds Death is a bit different. He is not unknown to show compassion for his customers, even trying to cheer them up at times. But in addition to that he is a loving and caring father and like any hero not without his faults. As such he looses his job at one time (only to get it back with vengeance). In addition to all that he is there to give a helping hand (although this can at times lead to peoples... err Death) or step in for someone else if needed. Like the time he takes over for the Hogfather (Discworlds version of Father Christmas) to make sure the job gets done. 









One thing that I love about this mini is the little details, like the Death of Rats that are part of the actual mini.


In the past years, I have always send my entries with completed base to Curt. This year I have left the base plain. The reason is simple. In the novels Death lives in a house on a plain of existence that is completely in greyscale. Now I thought, that it would be great to either have some furniture or plants painted in greyscale on the base to show this. Now I completely suck at painting greyscale, while Curt is one of the undisputed masters at it, so I thought "why ruin something, when you have someone who is great at it". I hope Curt will forgive me this!



From Curt:

A wonderful interpretation of the anitihero theme Burkhard and thank you for the lovely figure. I'm particularly impressed with your painted effect of the Sands of Time hourglass - it looks so realistic. I also like this blue 'eyes' as it gives him a softer, more humane look, which I think reinforces the overall character.

Thanks again Burkhard, Death will be a formidable addition to the Antihero pantheon forming in my display cabinet.

20 comments:

  1. Excellent Death. Sounds like a samurai wish.

    Curt. as an aside what are the plans for the Anti-hero submission given that many of us have already submitted the post?

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    1. I really leave it to the participants. I was thinking that people would hold their anitheroes back until the theme round so as to submit in sympatico. If you want you can use the already submitted post, though the 'thunder' won't be quite the same as a fresh entry.

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  2. Great Choice for an Anti-Hero.

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  3. Fantastic work Burkhard :)

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  4. Great painting Burkhard, I didn't know about these figures until you posted. Might have to take a look at a couple later in the year.

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  5. Thank you all!

    And I am really happy that you like him Curt!

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  6. Great figure - I think he's more Bill and Ted than the Seventh Seal.

    Pip pip

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  7. Awesome! A great Anti-Hero and nicely painted. cheers

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  8. He looks really good! I really like the eyes and the hourglass, but the mini death is really cool too stepping out of the robe's shadow!

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  9. Very nicely done - as a big fan of Pratchett's character I think you've done him a service.

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  10. Thank you all guys and gals! Really, really appreciated!

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  11. Good choice of Anti-hero. I bet Curt will be very happy when It arrives.

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  12. That hour glass effect really rocks, great work on him

    Ian

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  13. Thank you two! Glad you like hims as well!

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  14. Very interesting figure. I really like the "Death of Rats". I think it was an inspired choice for the Curtgeld.

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  15. A great rendition of a great character!

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  16. Exceptional choice! Wish I'd thought of it. Very finely painted, I can't wait to see him in his grey landscape too

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