From AndrewG: 'Red' Kelly's Gang (20 points)

“Cattle rustlers and horse thieves… the whole lot of ‘em!”

As I continue working through the small pile of Old West miniatures I bought many years ago, I have been able to put together two gangs in addition to the lawmen I showed last time. Up next in this series is a bunch I've labeled Red Kelly’s Gang. I had previously painted the rascal with the red necktie as a test model for the look I wanted, so I’m not including him in my points claim here. The remaining four gents however were completed during competition time to round out this crew.

If memory serves these are all dismounted versions of metal Foundry figures sculpted by Copplestone for their Old West Cowboys range. I wanted them to easily represent either side of the law, so while I’ve styled them as potential train robbers I could probably also just as easily use them as Pinkertons or other hired law enforcement deputies. I have a stagecoach that I’m currently working on that will be a likely target for them in an upcoming game, so they needed to pass for potential raiders (or protectors) of the mail and the fort commander’s lock box.

As far as figures go these are a relatively quick painting job. I have a good palette of browns at hand that either lean towards red or yellow in their tone – thus the majority of the colours are a mix of Vallejo and Army Painter browns - saddle, leather, oak, and bootstrap for example. A bit of Vallejo mahogany tends to be my go-to for weapon stocks, otherwise it’s just the usual washes and highlighting to bring them together. A splash of colour just to give the figures character, but not too much. Last a bit of blue and grey in the cloths and bandanas tie all the figures together, giving them a subtle uniformity for the gaming table.

Again, the bases are simple 2mm thick rounds, and were done with basing paste, grit from the driveway, and Vallejo or Tajima tufts. Vallejo flat earth was used to finish the rims. Two coats of varnish to seal them, and they’re ready to chase down the stagecoach or take on the Sheriff in any town!

Claiming 4x 28mm = 20 points.

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Some great looking desperadoes here, Andrew! As you say, a little spot of colour here and there does wonders for these fabulous figures from Copplestone. Terrific brushwork!

- Curt