From GeoffreyT: Obelix and Co (Noel's Comet)(46 points)

Hello Challengers,

The warp maelstrom deposited me adjacent to Noel's comet.  I took some time pondering a suitable topic for this locale, and have decided to wind back to Tasmania in the 1970's where I was born and bred.  

When I was a young boy, my mother met an elderly lady whilst out dog walking, and our families soon became friends.   She was a long term resident of the area, and she took us walking to some local places we had not seen and which were quite beautiful.  Waterfalls and a penguin rookery to name a few.

Her, her husband and I were all avid fans of Asterix books.  They had every book, whereas I had merely a few.  I was allowed to borrow their books, I would present to her husband in his study and request which one I would like to borrow and by when I would return it.  As the collection was their pride and joy, they were very valued.  I could only borrow one at a time and must return it by a specific date, and I was to look after most carefully, all of which I did.  Once acquired, I would take it home and consume it cover to cover multiple times.  I loved the art, the names, the stories and the history in the books and I could never get enough.

On occasion I was also the beneficiary of chocolates.  Each week the venerable couple would purchase a block of chocolate which had five different soft centre fruit flavours.  Each of them chose two flavours and the fifth unwanted flavour (strawberry) was stored in bags for visiting children such as myself.

As I grew older, they also grew older.  In their latter years I would mow their lawn, prune their trees and chop their wood which they could not do.  The old dears would wish to pay me a token amount which I was embarrassed to take.

Whenever I see the Asterix books in a shop, I instinctively look through the display in case there is one I have not read yet (but of course there is not).  It always brings me back memories of the couple and the places we went and our common interest in these amazing books.

A few years back I acquired a few of the old metal Asterix miniatures from a friend who got them from e-bay.  They were originally produced in the 1980's, but I'm sure the ones I have are recasts, as they have tell-tale bubbles from drop casting, and were pretty rough and took a bit of filling and filing to prepare.  Nevertheless here they are painted up for the challenge.

Unhygienix, Obelix and Fulliautomatix, and of course Dogmatix.   These guys are about 25mm scale.

I kept the shading to a minimum, just using two tones with a clear delineation in shades.  I also added some black lining where it suited.  I did this to try and keep the models colour and style as similar as I could to the original art of Albert Uderzo.

The faces were particularly challenging, and I don't think I really captured them on Unhygienix and Fulliautomatix, but I am pretty happy with how Obelix came out.  Uderzo often did not always draw in the eyes, they were often closed.  The expression drawn simply with a line on their eye brows and lids.  Probably should add Dogmatix's eyebrows, but only noticed they were missing after I took the photos.

Obelix has some small fish in his hand and on his helmet, which are a bit indistinct in the cast, luckily I know the books well and can add the detail in my mind.

Well, that's my story.  I don't know what loquacious means, hopefully it has met that requirement.

3 x 28mm scale miniatures = 15 points

+30 point bonus for arriving at Noel's Comet by warp maelstrom for a Thursday total of 45 points.

Alphabet soup challenge: O is for Obelix

Kind Regards

Geoff

Geoff, I've taken the liberty of splitting your post in twain to allow each magnificent entry room to breathe- I don't know if this benefits your squirrel! Your tale of friendship for Noel's Comet really hit the spot. I had about five Asterix books myself, and would often find myself in the library borrowing ones I hadn't read and waiting for others to be returned. The puntastic names still hold up. Your bright style works so well here, and matches the Uderzo originals. I do so hope your figures get to take part in games against the occupying Romans! And I've given a bonus point for Dogmatix.

Barks