WIP Critique Alpine German U Boat Captain

[Rompy]

Hi pF,

Having watched Das Boot countless times, was pleasantly surprised when Alpine decided to launch a 1/16 scale U Boat captain. With the Vasily Zaytsev bust completed, a change of scale would be nice

Here's the progress after a night's work. The details on the cap are really fine.. too fine for my eyes ... gotta get me one of those magnifying things that come with lights...

 

[NickM]

He's looking fantastic already. Great skin tones and stubble. The leather coat should be a lot of fun to paint too.
Alpine 120mm figures are really well sculpted, and this one is a particular beauty. Looking forward to seeing more progress.
Cheers

 

[smudger1960]

Very nice start on the flesh and cap,I remember the review for this figure,looks very promising,look forward to seeing it progress

 

[Ferris]

Excellent start. So you painted the eyes without optivisor? I'm jealous!

Adrian

 

[Rompy]

Excellent start. So you painted the eyes without optivisor? I'm jealous!

Adrian

Yup did the eyes without the optivisor but it's getting harder nowdays

 

[Gellso]

Yup did the eyes without the optivisor but it's getting harder nowdays

I wouldn't even see the figure without an optivisor..never mind the eyes!

Great start, looking forward to seeing your progress.

Gells

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Hello Ben, I really like your start to this U-Boat Captain. Great looking fleshtones, and the beard growth is very realistic. IMO, your best face yet. Are you painting him as a known U- Boat Commander? I also have this figure, and am very interested in seeing your progress. It is an excellent figure. I have a very good, worn leather reference photo if your interested. Best of luck with this one Ben. Regards, SG

 

[Rompy]

Thanks guys for the compliments.
I did reference a few U Boat captains when i started out on this. Notably Günther Prien and the Cpt Lieutenant from Das Boot But i guess they kinda of look the same after time at sea without shaving

Sure SG, would appreciate the reference photo I have some myself, but would be good to share it around

I am wondering if i should go with a woolen scarf or follow the box art. I don't recall seeing many scarfs with patterns worn by U boat crew. I could be wrong

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Hello Ben, Here are some photos of the worn looking u-boat leathers:You are right about photos of commanders wearing scarfs, not many to be found. The boxart scarf looks fine. I would imagine wives, and sweethearts of these men, would give them as a good luck charm, for there upcoming voyage, or they just purchased these themselves. I think just about anything goes as far as a scarf Ben, here are a few that I did find:Hope these can help you out a little. Best of luck with this project Ben. Regards, SG

 

[Rompy]

Tks SG ! Can always count on your vast library of pictures

I found this painting of Gunter Prien I am leaning towards this color, dark maroon/blue

 

[T50]

Nice start!

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Hello Ben, That color for the scarf, will look good under the grey leather coat. Nice choice Ben. Regards, SG

 

[Rompy]

Gave the figure a quick basecoat of Isreali Blue (life color) + burnt umber before a wash of prussian blue + burnt umber. Picked out some highlights with dry brushing. Went in with the basecoat to reduce the harshness of the dry brushing.

Just wondering if there's another way to do this More shadows and highlights next...

 

[Mike Stevens]

Nice start. Really
Like the skin tones.

 

[Rompy]

Approaching the finish line for the figure. Still planning out the basework

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Looks great so far Ben, nice effect on the leathers. Regards, SG

 

[Ferris]

Nice, some old school drybrushing can still do wonders if used in the right place. Your technique suits the jacket very well, I like the result very much.
Maybe you could give it a very very light sheen, as the original is 'rubbery'? Some thinned satin varnish stippled on in a few layers can look nicely.
Just a thought, as your result already looks very nice!

Adrian

 

[Rompy]

Thanks for the comments guys

I started work on the base. Drawing from some pictures and mainly imagination, i wanted to place the captain on a section of the u-boat.

 

[Rompy]

Some progress on the base tonight

 

[Pops]

Very nice. I like the 'care-worn' look on the face and the leathers. Well done.