Do you have a 'holy grail' model that you want to paint (or sculpt) 'one day'?

[Sapper69]

Hi everyone. I'm interested to hear if any of you have a 'holy grail' model that you want to paint (or sculpt) 'one day', when you have the necessary skills or something else currently preventing you from achieving the desired outcome or standard? What particular skills or other factors do you need to work on before tackling that piece?

Mine is this 90mm Heian period Samurai archer from Pegaso (below image from their website).

I've seen a few excelent completed versions posted in various forums, including this one by Ben and this one by Steve here on Planet Figure.

The main skill I need to work on before tackling this figure is freehand patterns on cloth. But there is also a lot of complexity in the assembly and painting sequence.

I'm keen to hear about others' 'holy grails', from the sculptors as well as painters like me who rely on commercially available kits or 3D prints.

 

[Briggsy]

Not so much a "holy grail" kit for me, mine is more a desire to stick to one discipline and period for as long as possible. Figures are my first love and what I am doing now is very fulfilling but it only takes a flick of the wrist from the Muse and I'm off on a wild tangent.

So my "holy grail" is to continue as I am for as long as I can.

Cheers Simon

 

[theBaron]

I have a subject I'd like to have in 54mm, that no one has ever kitted or cast. I've been teaching myself to sculpt to have it. I want to sculpt a master, then create the mold and cast it in white metal. But I don't want to say what it is, or I really will never finish it.

Prost!
Brad

 

[David Spencer]

So many ideas...
A Union Parrott rifle and crew, a French soixante-quinze and crew (1914, so they're wearing the dark blue uniform), and more medieval knights & infantry.
(54mm)

 

[Ferris]

Too many wishes and ideas to mention. But if you know your holy grail figure, and it is still available, I’d say drop all other projects and go for it, even if you don’t have your desired skill level. Postponing your best figures for when you’re all grown up will probably lead you to never paint them at all, and a Iife spent on lesser figures that give you less passion. If you mess it up, but why would you, you can always do a second, better one. Don’t wait, live now!

Happy New Year! 2025 will be the year of your Pegaso samurai.

Adrian

 

[Sapper69]

Too many wishes and ideas to mention. But if you know your holy grail figure, and it is still available, I’d say drop all other projects and go for it, even if you don’t have your desired skill level. Postponing your best figures for when you’re all grown up will probably lead you to never paint them at all, and a Iife spent on lesser figures that give you less passion. If you mess it up, but why would you, you can always do a second, better one. Don’t wait, live now!

Happy New Year! 2025 will be the year of your Pegaso samurai.

Adrian

Thanks so much for the encouragement Adrian (and others). I bought the kit a few years ago but I haven't painted larger scale (75/90mm) figures for over a decade, while focusing on other aspects of the of the hobby. I have two models I plan to do to get me back into the swing of things, both in resin, so I don't procrastinate on the assembly side of a more complex white metal kit. The first one is an ancients piece I like, while the second is another Samurai with a relatively small area requiring freehand work. Once I've done these I'll tackle the Samurai archer. Today being New Years Day, I'll make it my 2025 resolution to get this done this year, and you guys can keep me honest!

 

[theBaron]

Reading the OP a second time, I realize I do have a grail kit or figure to mention. It's the 54mm Bückebürger Karabinier from the Italian company Grifo:

I keep an eye open for it on eBay and other secondary markets, and at shows. I think I've posted here on the Planet, too, to ask if anyone happens to have one and if we could make a deal. This would fill a hole in my Seven Years War collection.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Briggsy]

Only one I know of was edited by Conrad Schultze of Fredricus Rex but it was a mounted flat. Not sure if his figures are still on the market though.

Cheers Simon