Hallo From Belgium

[nuvolari]

Hi,
My name is Danny, and I'm interested in figure sculpting and painting as part of an other kind of model building.
I've been model building for more than 20 year now and my main interest is 1/32 slot car scratch building of pre ww2 Grand Prix cars.
The reason why I'm interested in figure modelling is, that I need those techniques for sculpting my race drivers and spectators next to the track. I find it horrible, to see racetrack dioramas, with those ugly pre painted figures, that are sold also for train track dioramas.
I use those figures unpainted, as a starting point, but resculp them into fine detailed 1930's looking figures.
The plan is to build the Brooklands race cur quid at the beginning of the 1930's. I estimate that I need to resculped 500 civilian figures to begin with, to bring the track scenery alive.
There also are some special figures under the spectators like, of course all racing personnel, but also police officers, some military officers, I even planed a special diplomatic visitor with a Geisha dressed wife to accompany him as a little pin point extra.
To give you an idea of what my cars look like here a half finished scratch build model of the sunbeam 350Hp, later known as the first Blue Bird.

I also like to do figurines now and than, and I just bought an Andrea 90mm Warrior Monk 1250ad (Templar) model.

It's the first time I assemble such a huge cast metal figure.
I've seen two thechnics to sculpted and paint such a figure.
The first method was to assemble the figure before painting allowing to fill up the gaps where the pieces are stuck together with putty and milliput. And allowing you to sand away all irregularities.
Down side is when you paint the figure it can restrict proper detailing.
An other technique is, to pre paint the figure before assembly. It allows you easy access to difficult parts for detailing.
But, and here comes my first question on this forum, how do you assemble it without seeing the joints or damaging the pre done paint work? What glue is advised? and is there already a tutorial link on this forum, that can be referred to?
Thanks for your advice and help.
Cheers,
Danny

 

[gordy]

I've seen two thechnics to sculpted and paint such a figure.
The first method was to assemble the figure before painting allowing to fill up the gaps where the pieces are stuck together with putty and milliput. And allowing you to sand away all irregularities.
Down side is when you paint the figure it can restrict proper detailing.
An other technique is, to pre paint the figure before assembly. It allows you easy access to difficult parts for detailing.
But, and here comes my first question on this forum, how do you assemble it without seeing the joints or damaging the pre done paint work? What glue is advised? and is there already a tutorial link on this forum, that can be referred to?
Thanks for your advice and help.
Cheers,
Danny

Welcome aboard Danny you've got some excellent work there on the auto model.

Questions can be answered here in the "Just Starting..." forum as a tip.

The progress of assembly is largely dependent on the complexity of the parts. A good majority of figurists will assemble as much as possible prior to painting.

Glue is dependent on the figure medium, resin, white-metal or vinyl. Super Glue is a good all round option. A knife tip dipped in a drop of super glue and run over a seam like a quill pen is a simple and clean manner of attaching parts.

Have a great visit and many more!

 

[housecarl]

Very impressive work Danny. 500+ figures for a diorama, that should keep you busy.
As Gordy says, try and assemble as much as possible that will allow brush access.
I tend to pin major joints, just to be on the safe side too.
Glad you've joined, and look forwards to following your epic build.
Carl.

 

[TonyT]

Welcome Danny, really impressive work, have been around part of the track at Brooklands many years ago in a Sherpa Minibus, scary, very scary... Looking forward to seeing more of your superb work

 

[nuvolari]

Hi,

Thank you all for the welcome.
For those who are interested in my scratch build pre war race cars, you can find them back at the "international slot car Forum".
Here's a link " http://www.slotforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=60333&st=0 ", from here you can see a few of my other builds, if you tab on the model list in my signature on that Forum.
I'm not going to bother you with my my cars here on this forum, except with the figures I make for the Brooklands diorama and the drivers.
The drivers are always a big problem and are almost always scratch build from 1/32 soldier figures, like tank crews etc.. You'll only find a handful of drivers specially developed for slot cars, and 80% are modern dressed drivers, and building different cars with always the same figures is not an option.
But now and than you'll also see a military crusade monk figure from me, as this theme is an other interest of me.

Cheers,
Danny