Completed Critique "Christmas on The Somme, 1916", Ist Div AIF

[unknown01]

Amazing! Tony.

Hi! Tony.
Indeed a wonderful work.
Indeed actuality of a war is expressed well.
An expression of a figure and a ground work are amazing.
A wonderful masterpiece.
I was moved.
I congratulate completion.

Mitsutaka.

 

[tonydawe]

Thanks Ulrich, I'm pleased you like it.

Howdy Rick, how's the knee mate?? Thanks for your comments my friend, it's wonderful to get such positive feedback. Iknow its a much abused and overused cliche, but I really wanted to show that "War is Hell" with this piece, and it seems I've been successful.

Hi Ernesto, like you I don't have much experience living in snow and freezing cold weather, so I had to use my imagination. Hopefully he looks cold enough. Thanks for your comments.

Grazie Maurizio, I greatly appreciate your compliments.

Hi Mitsutaka, thank you my good friend. I'm very pleased you like my bust and the groundwork. It's been a very long project for me to complete and I'm pleased that so many people like it. I welcome your feedback and I thank you for your comments.

 

[sarouman]

My friend Tony,
Fantastic job mate Tony also very impressed with the painting of the face (this dramatic expression seemed more wonderful painting) but the job in the scene is really unlikely!
In short Congratulations!!

Alexandros



​

 

[Ventress]

Wondeful, inspiring piece, Tony. It is a masterful use of a bust! Like it very much!

Having done deployments to Northern Norway the look is spot on for an early morning knock and trying to orientate oneself into action!

 

[1969]

What a way to finish the year of mate and what a response you have deservedly received for this work. I for one would not have thought of using a bust in this manner but i think you may have opened up many doors ere mate for other modellers, not often a great new concept comes along, colsest thing i have seen is the use of a tank turret with a bust, this is much better in my opinion.
I dont think you could do any more mate to improve on this and to get your point across, everything about it, setting, sculpting and painting conveys what the title is.

Absolutely your best yet mate, shit you have set the bar high for yourself now mate for next year,

Steve

 

[John Belcher]

Hi Tony.Fantastic work mate. Great idea. You have truly captured the sense of fatique and cold and many other emotions.It is one of those models that you want to come back and have another look.Top rate!!!!!!!!!!

Regards,John

 

[TWOMOONS]

Incredible idea....am sure it will be copied, the sincerest form of flattery.
already have an idea for one myself...can see sculptors doing busts with this in mind...complete with groundwork.
Terrific job all around...
Kevin

Yes, true. I'm already starting on a short guy digging his way out of the snow in Long Island...thinking of a title...

 

[Dennis]

Hello Tony, wonderful work, wonderful presentation what a way to sign off from 2010, congratulations.
Have a happy new year.
Dennis

 

[smudger1960]

Tony,thats a great piece of work you have completed there mate i really love it,congratulations on all the coments you have recieved,you deserve them.
Happy new year

 

[URIBULL]

Excellent !! Tony

I like that ! great idea

 

[blabsy]

Hey Tony,
top work mate,its one of the best parts of this hobby,having the pluck to see somthing else and carry it out on a model you wanted to paint out the box. class.
Best Regards
Paul

 

[tonydawe]

Wow, I'm overwhelmed and humbled by all the positive feedback to this model. Thank you all for your wonderful comments and encouragement.

 

[fanai]

well done Tony - add to all the last comments and thanks for a 'new' approach

Ian

 

[PHIL WALDEN]

Season,s greeting bro..
l think you may have enjoyed doing this wee Aussie bloke my son. Its great when folk take that step outside the square and use those inner thoughts..
Good stuff cobber..
..Phil..

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Ian, thanks mate. I'm not sure how "new" this approach is, but its certainly seems to be different.

G'day Phil, usually its not a good thing to listen to those little voices inside my head but this time it seems to have paid off. I certainly did enjoy building and painting him and stepping outside my comfort zone with the scenic base was just as enjoyable (although it certainly added a great deal of frustration and delay to completing the project).

 

[PHIL WALDEN]

Mate,..blood on the bench and the air one can cut with a knife, the old grey matter being stretched at all points, thats what gives a good piece the edge and effect over and above the last subject that we only just tossed a little colour at...
Outside the comfort zone is often more rewarding even if it dose take a little longer to get to the finished piece...cob extend your time out side your square you,ve got it working....
..Phil..

 

[Ferris]

I'm a bit late catching this thread, but wow Tony, this is some very original work and well executed as well! I applaud very much your out-of-the-box thinking to take a bust and use it in this way. What adds to its impact is that you kept this project secret until completion, you stealthy man!

Great work, probably further complimented by its copying in the near future!

Cheers,
Adrian

 

[Nap]

Bust

Tony ,
Catching up on the posts on PF and all I can add is WOW , what a superb idea , I am sure others will look at busts in a different light now .

What does it for me is the way you are thinking outside the normal view (like me !!!!) The facial painting is superb , he looks so cold and totally dejected , stuck in hell and thinking of home ......

Wht colour mixes did you use for the flesh work if I may be so bold ?
WELL DONE ..a great way to end 2010

Nap

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Adrian, thanks so much for your comments mate. I had to keep it secret for the Chief competition, which was quite frustrating.

Hi Kevin, thanks for your generous comments mate. The skin tone base coat is a combination of Basic Flesh, Ivory and Foundation White. I then accented the shadow areas with alternating washes of Prussian Blue and Scarlet oil paint, and finished off with a series of washes of purple, blue and red pastel chalks mixed with white sprits.

 

[yoshi]

Amazing and beautiful work on the trench etc. Stunning piece.