WIP Highlander (Kirin 120mm)

[arj]

So great to see this one tackled. I think it is one of the best and most iconic figures around and way ahead of its time in quality. I have one and everytime I dig it out I am tempted to start on it....maybe one day it will actually happen. So I look forward to following your journey Andrew!

Great idea on the tape and good to know there is a use for Microsoft Excel in figure painting! Good luck on your second try at the tartan.

Cheers,
Adrian

Adrian, I fully concur with your description of this kit.
Like you, over the years I've been taking this one out of its box (old pins paint and all), then putting it all back thinking, not today.
Looks like my day has come at last. No doubt, your's will follow in due course.
As for Excel, it's amazing how versatile it can be.
Thanks for looking.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[arj]

Despite the very temporary setback with the tartan, things are looking well off to a good start. For what it's worth, as others have mentioned, I would definitely do this freehand, in the end you'll be much better off...
Definitely looking forward to seeing more

Phil

Yes, freehand is definitely the way to go Phil.
Short cuts can have their place, but not this time.
That's another bit of experience chalked up.
Time to get on with the delineations, and see how my eyesight worked.
Thanks for looking.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Ulrich]

Thanks for looking Ulrich.
I hope you find my 'two steps forward and three steps back' approach of some use.

Cheers,
Andrew

I was several times tempted to buy that figure but always thinking about the tartan and then .... So I will have a closer look at yours

 

[Wings5797]

I agree about the pose Keith. I understand that Mike Good sculpted it as a tribute to Rick Scollins, based on one of his illustrations.
I have seen that illustration, but try as I might, I couldn't find it again.
The Farquaharson tartan jpg is rather bright. The Humbrol paints I am using give a much more muted result. However, digital photography does tend to brighten colours.
Once I've finished, I'll probably apply some Dullcote to get the tartan totally matt, and apply washes, if still necessary.
Many thanks for the advice.

Cheers,
Andrew

Hi Andrew.
Rick Scollins, now there is a name that provided some thousands of blokes with help for their projects. I really like his lived in subjects.
With the tartan it's just a personal thing for me. Don't be driven by my suggestions. I totally agree that photos can brighten up blues and greens.
If the dullcote does not work you can add a tint of brown to help with the dulling down.
I found this with extreme weathering that may help or hinder you; http://www.lochcarron.co.uk/farquharson-weathered-heavy-weight-tartan-fabric/
I really like what you are doing with superb piece and will follow your progress to compleation.
All the best Andrew
Keith

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Andrew,

Great job so far mate. The tartan pattern certainly requires patience and a steady hand, but its not that hard. You just need to concentrate on preventing your lines from converging.

I've painted this figure before and absolutely loved it. Years later I tried to convert the figure and completely ballsed it up. I now have a half destroyed/ half completed version in my box of mystery and wonder, where I keep the many figures that never make it into the display cabinet. As an insurance policy, I picked up an original kit from another Planeteer in case I get the courage up to have a go at him again.

 

[Dekiman]

I will wait until you finish him and then I will tell you that you work is absolutely amazing.

 

[fesak_j]

Many thanks for the advice Jozef.
I hope I didn't give the impression that I was totally stuck. Far from it. I've already got the grey-blue stripes in place and will be starting on the delineations imminently.
Sorry about the 'Here I sit .... etc'. It's just my English humour playing with the words of a well known ditty (song):-

Cheers,
Andrew

....good to hear that

 

[arj]

Hi Andrew.
Rick Scollins, now there is a name that provided some thousands of blokes with help for their projects. I really like his lived in subjects.
With the tartan it's just a personal thing for me. Don't be driven by my suggestions. I totally agree that photos can brighten up blues and greens.
If the dullcote does not work you can add a tint of brown to help with the dulling down.
I found this with extreme weathering that may help or hinder you; http://www.lochcarron.co.uk/farquharson-weathered-heavy-weight-tartan-fabric/
I really like what you are doing with superb piece and will follow your progress to compleation.
All the best Andrew
Keith

Thank you very much for the reference Keith.
While I'm somewhat committed to the colours I've chosen, it'll still prove a useful example of a very worn cloth.
I did say that I'd been unsuccessful in finding the Rick Scollins illustration in my last post. Since then I had a trawl through old Mil Mods and eventually found the article about the sculpting of this figure (MM 1997 No. 8). Sure enough, there was the illustration.
Quick scan, and here it is:-

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[arj]

Hi Andrew,

Great job so far mate. The tartan pattern certainly requires patience and a steady hand, but its not that hard. You just need to concentrate on preventing your lines from converging.

I've painted this figure before and absolutely loved it. Years later I tried to convert the figure and completely ballsed it up. I now have a half destroyed/ half completed version in my box of mystery and wonder, where I keep the many figures that never make it into the display cabinet. As an insurance policy, I picked up an original kit from another Planeteer in case I get the courage up to have a go at him again.

Tony, you're absolutely right about patience, concentration and convergence.
In my case there's also my erroneous judgement by eye and general cack-handedness to overcome.
I presume your conversion in days gone by is the 'hairy' one.
I remember seeing it in my 'lurker' days, and took the time to re-read your S.B.S. Love your enterprise in using dog hairs.
While I understand your reason for putting it aside, I totally disagree with with your assessment.
Providing you haven't smashed it up, it remains a magnificent conversion with a superb base and which, with a little tlc, could rise like the proverbial phoenix.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[arj]

I will wait until you finish him and then I will tell you that you work is absolutely amazing.

Hi Dejan,
Many thanks for looking.
I promise I won't hold it against you if/when you find you can't make good on that promise.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[arj]

Having done the grey-blue stripes and made sure they were thoroughly dry, I started painting the dark grey delineations of the sett.
I only did the front of the kilt and immediately saw that I'd swung excessively in the wrong direction.
The sett was now smaller than on the upper section.

Oh well, two steps forward and three steps back, again!
I'll redo the green and start once more. At least I'm learning all the time.
The next time I'll have a strip of approximately equal width to the upper sett, and use this to counteract my suspicious eye judgement to double check what I'm doing.
Third time lucky .... I hope.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Wings5797]

Thank you very much for the reference Keith.
While I'm somewhat committed to the colours I've chosen, it'll still prove a useful example of a very worn cloth.
I did say that I'd been unsuccessful in finding the Rick Scollins illustration in my last post. Since then I had a trawl through old Mil Mods and eventually found the article about the sculpting of this figure (MM 1997 No. 8). Sure enough, there was the illustration.
Quick scan, and here it is:-
View attachment 258095

Cheers,
Andrew

Very well done for finding the illustration Andrew.
I raked through every thing that I could think of with no success......I parted company with my MM bound volumes some years since.
It is a very inspirational sketch that will help you get a good feel for your piece.
Enjoy Mate
Keirh

 

[arj]

Hi Folks,

After the last fiasco, I took a short break from tartans and had a bash at some of the other bits on this kit, and also made a start on one of Ellie’s Miniatures AWI busts in an effort to un-cross my eyes.
Anyway, I’ve finally made my third attempt at the kilt (nowhere near as good as most tartans I’ve seen on PF), and it is now roughly in keeping with the upper section. This shows my stages and where I’ve got to, and the next stage will be to paint the thin black lines down the centres of the grey-blue stripes.

As for the other bits, I’ve made a start on the face, and have nearly finished the base with its added shrubbery.

The claymore is nearly done; the targe is well under way, and I’ve just applied the oils to the leather of the scabbard, dagger and sporran.

Still a very long way to go, but at least I’ve managed to move forward, at last.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Wings5797]

Great progress Andrew
Excellent detail on the sword and shield.
Really coming together superbly well.
Keith

 

[Nap]

Andrew

Looking great like the fleshwork and that tartan is coming along nicely

Still plenty of time before BC !

Nap

 

[oldtrousers]

That's coming along great! I've had this kit sitting in my gray army for a loooong time, and I still don't have the courage to attempt the tartan. I look forward to seeing this finished.

Scott

 

[tonydawe]

Great progress mate. Third time is the charm. Tartan isn't easy but once you get a handle on it its actually very satisfying to paint.

Don't forget that kilts weren't beautifully clean and washed. They are dirty, wet and faded, the texture of the wool is rough in places and worn thin and smooth in others. It's a great figure to practice a wide range of weathering techniques. Keep going mate, its looking ace.

 

[badger]

i did this figure years ago and due to the excellent sculpting it was a pleasure to do./ badger

 

[arj]

Great progress Andrew
Excellent detail on the sword and shield.
Really coming together superbly well.
Keith

Pleased you’re liking it so far Keith.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[arj]

Andrew

Looking great like the fleshwork and that tartan is coming along nicely

Still plenty of time before BC !

Nap

Tartan’s slow going Kevin. Lots to do on the face and hair, but it’ll have to wait until the blue oil that I’ve applied to the hat has dried.
I’ll make no promises for BC; there’s still the socks, which are bound to slow me down.

Cheers,
Andrew