Gassed - very rough and early WIP

[Dan Morton]

A rather poor photo, but should give you some idea where I'm headed. All the proportions measure out correctly to scale. The shorter and chubby fellow (#5 in the line, Left to Right in the photo) looks wrong to the eye (in person), but I think will look all right when completely dressed. Before I added the trousers, his legs looked wrong, but now they're OK.

Everytime I look at the wartime photo, I see more detail and more nuance to try to capture.

Little things like - Look at the way the first figure (far left in the line-up) is holding his thumb.

Look at how all of them seem to be turning away from and hiding their faces a bit from the photographer. It's as if they can see a bit or perhaps someone told them they're being photographed and they've said to themselves, "I don't want my family to see me like this!"

The second guy in the line-up. Look how he's tipped his helmet down to shield his eyes.

I hope I can capture everything.

Question - You can probably barely make him out in the first newspaper photo, but there is a sighted, slightly wounded casualty leading the line-up. Do I need him or does it work without him? There are 13 total casualties shown in the line-up. I have a more complete and larger photo that I'm working from. 13 is way too many! Artistic license? What's reasonable and needed to convey the poignancy and terrible pain?

Keep in mind that every one of these figures has been barely started. I also know I need to straighten up some figures a bit and lean a couple a little more. They are not in their final position - that will be done one at a time. I plan to expand the "base" or ground a little, but not much. Right now it's no more than a strip of MS about 3/4th inch thick with 7 holes drilled in it and lots of hobnail boot imprints. Lots to do!

Comments welcome!

All the best,
Dan

 

[megroot]

That's some serious work you have done so far Dan.
Like it very much.

marc

 

[Dan Morton]

Thanks Marc!

All the best,
Dan

 

[housecarl]

Looks like your off to a great start Dan.
Carl.

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Dan,

A long way to go mate, but gee you've made some fantastic progress.

 

[billyturnip]

Despite being "Very rough and early WIP" it still looks pretty impressive. Keep up the good work Dan, looking forward to seeing more.

Roger.

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Dan,

Just looking again at the photo of your figures, I don't think you need the sighted slightly wounded guy at the head of the line. I'd start with the sargeant, but I'd straighten him up a bit; he's leaning too far forward, which in turn is making the second guys' arm stretch too far forward. I'd have the sargeant's arm streching out into the void in front of him - the blind leading the blind.

Have you given thought to individualising each man with different regimental and divisional badges? I think it would be a pity to do them all from the same regiment.

 

[Dan Morton]

Thanks Carl, Tony and Roger - I know all of you have experienced the "Blimey! I didn't see that before!" When you look at the first photo of a figure. That's what happened to figure 1. I'll fix the leaning. He's also bent at the waist a bit too much. Tony also makes the good point that the "fit" and position of figure 1 influences all the other six. So it would probably be best if I get him nearly complete before going to 2 and so forth thru the series. Cheers all!

All the best,
Dan

 

[mil-mart]

Dan, excellent start to a very ambitious project, looking forward to following.

Cheers Ken

 

[Dan Morton]

Thanks Ken!

All the best,
Dan

 

[1969]

real good start to this one Dan, you definetely have your work cut out mate with this one, look forward to watching it develope.

Steve

 

[Dan Morton]

Thanks, Steve! I've just been working on #5 today. He's a bit interesting, being a short and portly officer or NCO. Can't really see his rank insignia, so no way to confirm it. I kinda am imagining him as a Supply or Transport guy, possibly a Reservist called up after 1915.

All the best,
Dan