WIP Critique Alpine Miniatures "Big Red One" US 1st Div, 120mm

tonydawe · Jan 26, 2015

Hi guys,

I absolutely love these Alpine Miniatures 120mm figures and have several more to do in the months ahead. These figures are so beautifully sculpted and the poses and stances are so natural and well balanced. The casting is also exceptionally good with virtually no clean up required.

Recently inspired by "Big Daddy" Matt Wellhouser's version of this figure, I chose to use one of the kit supplied heads and paint him as a young 18-19 year old, complete with freckles.

As you can see I'm still at a relatively early stage of painting. Nothing is finished yet.
All painting done in Jo Sonja acrylics.

Ferris · Jan 26, 2015

I totally share your love for these Alpine figures Tony, and this is another one that I recently had to buy. I really like the face that comes with the kit. It's indeed that of a young soldier and your rendition already is very convincing. Like the idea of adding freckles, may actually steal that from you when I paint mine...

Will be following this closely!

Cheers,
Adrian

ometz · Jan 26, 2015

Ditto on sentiments re: Alpine figures. I have to say that I admire your work on this figure (and the arc of mastery in your painting over the years).

tonydawe · Jan 26, 2015

Thanks Adrian, feel free to borrow my idea of adding freckles, as it's not really my idea anyway. I've already added some freckles into the base coat and then covered over them with subsequent shadows and highlights. They're too subtle to see on these pics but I will go back and enhance them a bit later.

Hi Ometz (sorry I couldn't find your first name) thanks for your comments. I greatly appreciate them. I particularly like your mention of the "arc" in regards to my painting, as I feel the same way about the journey. I'm not sure it has reached "mastery" but I'm pleased that I seem to be taking small steps forward with each figure. The challenge is to continue to improve and not get lazy or complacent. I have to keep challenging myself. I appreciate your support and encouragement.

BigDaddy · Jan 26, 2015

Love it, keep going....

smudger1960 · Jan 27, 2015

Nice work tony,looking forward to seeing it progressing ;-)

Fransab · Jan 27, 2015

Woow! Excellent face, and painting too. Very nice figure and pose. Congratulations.

Cheers,
Francisco

NickM · Jan 27, 2015

Lovely work so far, Tony. You've done a good job making the face look youthful.

I bought this one recently too. I really like something about the stance and how he's shouldered the Thompson.

You're right about Alpine - they are definitely top of the game for 120mm figures, with great sculpts and perfect casting. Just wish they'd do some bloody Commonwealth figures in that scale!!

Looking forward to seeing more progress on this one mate.

Chris Mortimer · Jan 27, 2015

I haven't seen this figure before. I agree with the previous comments. Great pose and the expression on the face is brilliant. Looking forward to seeing it finished.

Viking Bob · Jan 27, 2015

Tony
This figure has a nice pose and is holding the weapon correctlly (always a bonus). A great paint job and so far looking good
Thanks for sharing.
Bob

Joe55 · Jan 27, 2015

That's right Tony, you can't go wrong with these Alpine figures! Yours is coming out nicely. I like the youthful look about him and the pensive stare.

Joe

tonydawe · Jan 27, 2015

Hi Matt, thanks mate I will. I've added some new WIP pics below. Thanks for inspiring me to have a go at this figure.

Cheers Brian, more progress to show you mate. It's still early stages but it's coming together.

Hi Francisco, thank you fore your comments. I hope you like my recent WIP pics.

Hi Nick, yes mate I'd love to see Alpine do some 120mm Commonwealth figures too. At least they're not all Germans

Hi Chris, I believe the figure was released last year, and to my knowledge Matt Wellhouser was the first person to show completed pics of this figure on pF. It's a beauty and well worth doing.

Hi Bob, yes the pose and the correct weapon handling position is an important part of making the figure look right in my eyes. I like the fact that he's holding the Tommy gun so he can raise it quickly to a shoulder firing position, or if needed can stay at the hips and squeeze off a few rounds for effect. I also like the fact that he looks ****-scared, which he should.

Hi Joe, this is the second 120mm Alpine figure I've made and it wont be the last. I have five more in my GA and I can't wait to enlist them into action. I'm looking forward to dirtying this kid up a bit once the painting is complete so he looks a bit grungier, like a dirty, smelly teenager he is.