Advance to Arnhem 1/16 scale

[Steve Ski]

No worries Henk, I know whatcha mean. It's a tough one to duplicate, and I have seen better, but only on a few busts. They will get a good dusting and as much wear as I can show for a crew in a bomb crater. Just a heads up, by the second figure pattern you'll start to go buggeyed. Take frequent breaks

Thanks, Henk.

 

[Henk]

Enough talk of breaks. Get back to your brushes....



;-D

 

[Steve Ski]

Lol. They are getting wet within the hour

Hey, who's the senior here anyway, you or me? Bahahahaaaaaaaa,.......................

 

[Henk]

Lol. They are getting wet within the hour

Hey, who's the senior here anyway, you or me? Bahahahaaaaaaaa,.......................

I don't know. But I've noticed that more and more police men don't look old enough to be policemen yet...

 

[Steve Ski]

I don't know. But I've noticed that more and more police men don't look old enough to be policemen yet...

Touche',

 

[Steve Ski]

Breaking Protocol, woops!

Going against my own house rules I’m posting what will be, to come. You can never predict how a project will finally make presentation, unless you know something that I don’t, lol.

This set is incredible. After all this pain staking work, it’s beginning to flower as expected, which is pretty sweet, IMHO! There’s a bit of fiddling with the fit in the base, to be expected, but nothing that can’t be handled. Seriously, this is an incredible set, and now I’m seeing what I’ve envisioned months ago, woof!

We are quite a few weeks off from final, but the punch list is actually smaller than I had expected. I recon I can’t brag enough about the sculptor, but yall already know him. He’s earned his stripes, rightly so. Ruck On, Stevo!

I will continue working the third set of trousers tomorrow, run a complete finish on him as best as I can. Then off to that most difficult camo patten for the last figure. Sheeesh! I pray I still have the gumption to knock the ball outta da park, lol. This is a though pattern. It’s been the most challenging set I’ve faced, to date.

Let me say this with certainty, I’ve never seen such a good set portrayed with the intensity envisioned as I do here, and it’s just now beginning to show. I’m impressed, and it ain’t my brush work, it’s the sculptor’s work! Capturing the life actions of men in a real-life battle is a tough thing, especially in scale, but what a pleasure when we do, for historical sake, if nothing else. Ruck On, Steve!

Hope yall have enjoyed the pre-show, back to work I go! And did I say, thanks for watchin! Cheers, Ski.


P.S. This last pic should set the mood quite appropriately.

 

[Cannonball]

This is looking fantastic Steve and you’ve done a great job on the set so far. Seeing the figures mocked up in their final position really highlights how spectacular this group will look once everything is complete. Your brushwork has definitely brought the set to life and really looking forward to the end result.

Neal

 

[Steve Ski]

Thank you, Neal, very kind of you. I'm seeing light at the end of this tunnel, coming together now.

 

[Helm]

Superb work Ski, although as you say not done, it's given it a real feel now, seeing them all together like that, really pulled it together. Great paint job on a great sculpt.
Steve

 

[Ferris]

Great work so far Ski. Fabulous to see how it’s coming together!

Adrian

 

[Steve Ski]

Thank you, Steve and Adrian. I can't forget those 5 o'clock shadows

 

[Dolf]

A real wonderful set, Steve! You nailed it! The camo, the trousers, the faces, everything is simply perfect!

I know it's not finished yet, but Congratulations anyway for what all you've done already!

Cheers!

 

[Steve Ski]

Thanks Dolf, pluggin away

 

[1969]

Just gets better and better Ski.
Cheers
Steve

 

[Andrew Belsey]

Looking great Steve!

 

[Steve Ski]

Thank you, Gentlemen!

 

[Steve Ski]

Major Update; Figure #2 and The Last Smock

I’ve been so busy trying to stay consistent at the bench I forgot to post progress photos, so here we go. The trousers, boots, and anklets for figure #2 have been completed. I also finished off the rifle and hands. Figure #2 is now set aside to dry completely and await the punch list, and that 5’o clock shadow, like the other two.

Ah, the last smock, yehaaaaaaaaa! This last smock was not nearly as difficult as I had expected. After working out a basic system of painting each color tone separately, the whole process sped up quite nicely. I worked the red tones first, then moved on to the green tones, saving the light tone for last.

This has been a challenging camo pattern to keep consistent and what I’ve learned is that you have to remember each color tone has to carry the shadows and highlights from one tone to the next. Sometimes you can get a little bug eyed during the process. It’s not like painting a regular uniform that has only one color tone. As you work your way around the figure you have to project the shadows and highlights within each small section. I found myself constantly pulling back to make sure the shadows and highlights were falling correctly and accurately.

This camo pattern may not be exactly accurate, but it has definitely been a learning process for me. Looking back there are a few things I would have done differently, but I’m happy with the results, so Ruck On we will.

Once I was satisfied with the initial pass for each tone, I immediately began to work the web gear. The smock still has plenty of detail to tend to, but the bulk of the work has been done. I still need to add the brush strokes and adjust some of the details, toning some down, highlighting others. Once the details are worked, I will go back to the arm and paint the hands, rifle, attach the arm to the figure, then clean up any details missed before working the trousers. So far, so good.

More to follow real soon. Thanks for watchin. Cheers, Ski.

 

[Henk]

Superb Progress Steve, your interpretation of the camo works extremely well.

 

[kempie]

Love it Ski, just great!!

 

[Helm]

Great job Ski, looking excellent.
Steve