A real Crusader

[ghamilt1]

Greetings one and all.

Well, after almost 4 months of work, bathroom renovations and other distractions, I FINALLY have something to show for my efforts at the workbench. I painted Pegaso's standard bearer to represent the leader of the first Crusade and the scourge of Jerusalem in 1099, Godfrey de Boullion. I tried my very best to find out what Godfrey's heraldry would have been like in 1099, and this is as close as I think I can get. The Jerusalem cross on the banner my seem a little out of date, but there are some sources that claim Godfrey's family flew a similar banner while fighting with William the Conqueror in 1066, so.... a little historic licence and there we go. In any case, I offer him up for your comments and criticisms.

 

[gorgosaurus]

Beautiful work, ghamilt1.

So I´m sorry to have to say that this kind of great helm first came into use long after 1099.

Spike.

 

[Sambaman]

Pics a bit dark but over all I think you did a great job! Would like to see more angles as well!

Jay H.
OKC

 

[ghamilt1]

No need to apologize Spike, I did take some artistic licence after all. I didn't want to risk fouling up a beautiful sculpting job trying to correct the helmet, so I just went with it.

 

[KeithP]

Very nice. A very effective vignette. Would love to see more pics...

Keith

 

[ghamilt1]

Thanks Jay, and I would be the first to admit that my skills as a photographer leave much to be desired. Cheers Keith, for more pics may I refer you to my second post, where I have two more views. Thanks again for looking.

 

[darkeye]

well, may i say mate that i really like this piece, specially the muted colours, like the colour of the sur-caot very much.

all the best-- tim.

 

[ghamilt1]

Thanks very much Tim. I tried to think "dusty" when I was painting this, and I also tried to tie the ground work colours into the figure itself. The pictures aren't a very good indicator unfortunately.

 

[megroot]

Good work.
I like the faded colors you used. Really lifelike.

Marc

 

[ghamilt1]

Thank you Marc; you're very kind as usual. If this figure is well received at Chicago, I may bring him to Girona for the World expo. That will be my first show in Europe, so perhaps I'll see you there.

 

[tonydawe]

G'day ghamilt1
Mate, one of the reasons I love pF is that I get to see so many people's models on one website, and everyone is so keen to share their talents with each other. Your Crusdaer is great, well done.

My only gripe, and its a small one, is that I too hope to attend World Expo in Gerona next year, and I hope to be amazed by what I see. My expectation is to see the world's best models and meet the world's best modellers for the first time in my life, all together in one place. If I make it, I will be travelling half way around the world, and I fear that some of my expectation may be diminished, if I see too many of these beautiful pieces of figure modelling on pF before the Expo itself.

Fellow Planeteers, we still have many months of modelling ahead of us, before we get together in Spain, and I for one intend to keep my entries "under wraps" until I get there. It's not that I want to deprive anyone of a chance to see how I make my models, or what they look like; it's just that I want the people at Girona to see it first. I'm sure the organisers of WE08 would appreciate it too!

I'm sure many Planeteers will disagree with me and that's cool, I just hope to see as many models at Girona for the very first time. I'll be one of the first excited Planeteers trying to upload pics from Gerona onto pF, and I'll be eager to share them with the rest of you. Perhaps this should be the subect of a new Discussion Thread? Anyone have any thoughts on this!

ghamilt1, your Crusader is brilliant and i hope to see it in the flesh at Girona, and i wish you good luck in Chicago.
Tony

 

[megroot]

Glenn,
No i will not be at WE, for the symple reason that i'm on vacation in Italy then.
The WE is at the same time with the large school vacation in the Netherlands.

Marc

 

[theseeker]

Very nice indeed! Please post more pics.

 

[Ashen-Shurgar]

Beautiful, love the choice of colors and tones used.

Mark

 

[ghamilt1]

Thanks everyone;
Marc, I am sorry to hear you won't be there. It is not often I get to travel to Europe, but maybe on another occasion.

Rocky, I have some other pics on another post called "more crusader pics", I think it's on page two of the "Painting" section.

Tony, let me first say sorry, the thought never crossed my mind! I too will have to travel half way around the world and I competely understand your position. I certainly hope I haven't diminshed your Expo in any way.

Allow me to explain why I post many of my figures that I wind up taking to exhibitions. Out here in Western Canada, I am probably one of maybe 4 or 5 people that "compete" in these exhibitions. In my province, I can think of 3 or 4 other people, including Rick Taylor, who I have only ever met once, and we live in the same city. (Rick has medaled many times at these shows in the past). So expert opinion is pretty hard to come by.

So I put these on display here for much needed feedback. Frankly, I don't want to embarrass myself by entering something that isn't up to standard, and the help and suggestions made by people such as yourself really help me to improve. It's no coincidance that I have received two medals, a bronze and silver at SCAHMS since becoming a member on the planet.

I'm not suggesting that winning medals is the whole point, far from it. I use the competition and judging to help me gauge my progress as a painter. I've never come back from a show feeling dejected or discouraged. Only inspired and determined to improve to the standard some of our fellow planeteers have reached. So I will probably be bringing figures from Chicago to Spain to see if they meet that lofty standard, and to receive the kind of critical feedback that kind of exhibition can provide. And of course to be blown away by the talented people I hope to emulate one day. What can I say, it's one way of looking at the whole show experience, certainly not the only way and more than likely not even the "right" way. But I am what I am.

But in the spirit of cooperation, I think I can control myself. At least I can promise not to let it slip that I am planning to bring such and such a figure to this or that show, at least for the next year. Now I have a reason as well, I am going to totally surprise you this July!

 

[darkeye]

post away mate! the only reason i log on is to see and be inspired! the alternative is to find another hobby; models cannot be truly guaged in 2d terms. Its only at shows,like Euro, where even had you seen a piece, the 'round' just bowls you over!
as the only modeller i know where i am, i know what its like to stare at un-assembled kits and wonder at the possibilities. Here on PF you get to find out, so no posts, no PF.

back to your fig, do you go for acrylics mate? and whats your technique? Reason i ask is cos i have kinda fallen out of painting for the reasons above but since Euro have begun to flirt with oils and enamels but my thirty years of use lie in Citadel acrylics.
what brand do you use if different?


all the best--- tim

 

[ghamilt1]

Thanks Tim. I guess I'm just a guy who needs the pat on the back now and again to keep me on the right track. But I can see Tony's point too, and wonder what it might be like to see some works for the first time at a major show. Well, however you view the debate, I think we can all agree, the World Expo is going to be a once in a lifetime experience.

I like to "prime" my figures with acrylic colours, and then use a combination of oils and Humbrol enamels to get the shadows and hi-lites. Lately, I've been using more and more of the Humbrols to blend colours using techniques employed by painters like Bill Horan (as outlined in his book). It really depends on the colour I'm painting at the time. Whites for example are done almost exclusively in artist's oils where as reds I do exclusively with enamels. Ultimately, I use whatever works for me, and you will find some stunning work on the planet done in acrylics. Purely a matter of personal preference.

 

[CDNTanker25]

great job mate! The surcoat really stands out to me in a great way! Nice job painting the chainmail. What did you use to get that kind of effect?

 

[CDNTanker25]

G'day ghamilt1
Mate, one of the reasons I love pF is that I get to see so many people's models on one website, and everyone is so keen to share their talents with each other. Your Crusdaer is great, well done.

My only gripe, and its a small one, is that I too hope to attend World Expo in Gerona next year, and I hope to be amazed by what I see. My expectation is to see the world's best models and meet the world's best modellers for the first time in my life, all together in one place. If I make it, I will be travelling half way around the world, and I fear that some of my expectation may be diminished, if I see too many of these beautiful pieces of figure modelling on pF before the Expo itself.

Fellow Planeteers, we still have many months of modelling ahead of us, before we get together in Spain, and I for one intend to keep my entries "under wraps" until I get there. It's not that I want to deprive anyone of a chance to see how I make my models, or what they look like; it's just that I want the people at Girona to see it first. I'm sure the organisers of WE08 would appreciate it too!

I'm sure many Planeteers will disagree with me and that's cool, I just hope to see as many models at Girona for the very first time. I'll be one of the first excited Planeteers trying to upload pics from Gerona onto pF, and I'll be eager to share them with the rest of you. Perhaps this should be the subect of a new Discussion Thread? Anyone have any thoughts on this!

ghamilt1, your Crusader is brilliant and i hope to see it in the flesh at Girona, and i wish you good luck in Chicago.
Tony

I agree with you to a point there mate! The only thing I can say is to show it online, get the tips or the praise that is necessary, get pumped up for the show and even better yet be super excited to see some of these in the flesh! I'm tellin ya, no matter how great the picture, there is nothing to seeing it in the flesh, especially after seeing a pic of it online! I do see a point in what you say, I have always been one for shock factor!

 

[ghamilt1]

great job mate! The surcoat really stands out to me in a great way! Nice job painting the chainmail. What did you use to get that kind of effect?

Hi James;
Sorry to take so long to answer your question, but work has been interfering in my hobby life again. The chain mail effect was achieved by applying several dark washes of black humbrol enamel and thinner. After a thorough drying time (24 hours) I did some drybrushing with silver paint to highlite the folds and pick out other bits of raised detail. Hope this helps.
Glenn