From GregB: Mando and The Child (30 Points)

3d prints of The Mandalorian and The Child - 28mm figures.

Greetings and happy holidays once more to the participants of the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. I'm pleased to kick off my APHC XIII run with two figures that most folks here will likely recognize - Mandalorian, and "the Child". These are 3D prints sourced from Etsy, and while they are intended for use in games such as "Star Wars: Legion", these particular figures are a little unusual in that they will not see service on a gaming table, but rather on display, as they were a request from my lovely wife Linda.

Mando at the ready with his super-amazing rifle...

To truly enjoy and embrace the madness of the hobby, a supporting, or at least very understanding, partner is essential. I am blessed in this regard (one of many) when it comes to Linda, as she pleasantly tolerates what surely must be a baffling accumulation of painted figures, variety of projects etc. It is extremely rare that any particular painting subject or gaming setting would overlap with her interests...

Mostly the old brown and grey armour for this early "Mando" - just a bit of beskar steel.

But then, out of the steaming pit of garbage that is Disney Star Wars, somehow "The Mandalorian" arose...and Linda loved it just as much as I ultimately did. I mean, who can resist "the Child"? Linda knew I painted Star Wars figures, and knew that we often played games set in the Star Wars universe, so she asked me this summer if they made figures for "The Mandalorian". I explained there no official ones as yet, but that the world of 3D printing folks had already been all over it...Dave V helped me with some suggestions for possible figures to paint, and she selected these two. 

Who's up for some snacks?

I was pleased with her choice - here we have Mando as seen in the second episode of the first season, rifle at the ready. I did my best to capture the many, many small details of his original get up - armoured, but not yet covered in beskar, escorting the Child toward an unknown fate, experiencing an inner torment, the conflict between his obligations to the Bounty Hunting Guild, and the immediate bond with this unique foundling.

The prints took some time to arrive, and of course I am always distracted by other projects etc. But we spent this past Christmas out at our cabin, and I thought getting these two finished for her would be a good Christmas Eve project. Besides, as I said, it is extremely rare for Linda to ever ask for a painted figure, so best to ensure I deliver before Christmas!

The Child and his space pram...what a brilliant idea...

For me, "The Mandalorian" peaked in those first three episodes. While Mando and the Child would enjoy many more interesting adventures over the first two seasons of this show, I really don't see how they can top that first season. And the more plot and story they tag on, the less I find we both enjoy it. For example, just contemplating the tiresome politics of the Mandalorian subculture, or the whatever-is-really-going-on with the "Dark Sabre" can put us to sleep in five minutes - sometimes the less things are explained, the better...

Mando is tense, but no need to worry - only a display shelf to worry about now!

Anyway, the point here is not to lament, but to share, and to get some points on the board. In terms of those points, these are both 28mm figures, so that should put 10 points on the board. Pretty modest start, but sometimes you start small, just like Grogu. Cheers to everyone, and I look forward to sharing more soon!

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First, welcome back to the Challenge, my friend! It's great to see that your first entry is a gift to the lovely Linda. Our household has really enjoyed 'The Mandalorian' as well, thinking of it as a wonderful take on a 'Western in Space'. 

While the wait was long for their delivery, your Mando and 'the Child' were more than worth the wait as your brushwork on them is excellent as usual. You nailed the colours for Mando's early armour and I love Grogu bobbing along in his hover-pram. Linda must be thrilled with her gift.

As this was a gift for your lovely wife, I'm going to give you another 20 points for the Gift Shop location in the Challenge Studio lot as that seems apropos. Well done my friend! 

- Curt