"How far Jerusalem"

[Mike the Swede]

"How far Jerusalem" Part III
Hi guys!
Hope that you are all fine and staying healthy.
Here is the third figure for the vignette, tired and worn out he carries his spear over his shoulder, his big kite shield carried on his back. With this figure I wanted to show a tired and exhausted expression on his face as he still struggles on to Jerusalem...
Some of you sharp eyed readers may recognize this pose and figure, I did a similar one as a single figure some 20 years ago. I liked to pose and it fitted well into the composition for this new vignette. (this is like an updated and, hopefully, better version of one of my older sins

)
Back soon with the painted vignette.. plenty of emotion, drama, sweat and dust...
Have a great day, take care and stay safe

Mike

 

[Dr Bison]

Watching, waiting, biting my fingernails... Can't wait to see your progress.

 

[Paulo]

And ...easily becames my favourite from the 3 !! just love it, the flow of the ring mail is so natural - just can´t wait to see them painted .
Bravo Mike

 

[Jon Harbuck]

Beautiful, Mike.
I noticed the strap holding the shield -- is that pure Duro rolled out and cut?
Hope to see this one "live."

 

[Tommy Atkins]

Just superb Mike! What a piece this promises to be!! Regards Pete

 

[Mike the Swede]

Thanks guys!!! I am so glad you like the third figure for the vignette!

And yes, that strap is rolled out Duro/Green Stuff. I used to use electrical tape but I find that to be almost too thin sometimes...
The Duro I roll out very, very thin and let in cure. Then cut it to shape. The Duro will easily glue with drop of super glue and it also slightly flexible making it possible to stretch the straps you are gluing in on
Mike

 

[DaddyO]

Brilliant figure Mike

Was it really 20 years ago that you did the last one?
I was looking through one of your books with him in the other evening and am glad to say that you've still got it!
Just love the weary shamble he's got with the helmet pushed back and chainmail open you can almost see the sweat and dust

Cheers
Paul

 

[Mike the Swede]

Thanks PAul!

Well, it was made in early 2002 so nearly 20 years ago! Old sins indeed!
I thought that the open ring mail coif would add to the story and the feel of the scene.
And walking in that heat wearing ringmail, kite shield on your back and a helmet must have been quite terrible...
Mike

 

[El Tché]

Absolutely Brilliant !! It reminds me a painting from the famous belgian illustrator Jean Léon Huens "la Marche du Désert". The cross on the crusaders is green as it was the colour of the cross for crusaders from "Belgium" (Belgium was not created ... so more correct is to say "people from geographical zone now known as Belgium".

 

[Fredericus]

Wow, full of character in its semplicity!
Ciao Federico

 

[Redcap]

Superbly realistic unlike many of the idealised and stylish crusader figure poses we often see. I hope this becomes a commercial piece and an instant vignette for us mere modeling mortals.

Great work Mike!
Gary

 

[Henk]

I like the pose, a very natural, tired looking 'slog'. I'm not entirely sold on the helmet however. It looks like its sitting to high, rather than pushed back. I'm not sure if you can actually 'push back' a helmet like that. I guess if they weren't expecting an imminent attack, they would simply take the helmet off.
Looking forward to see them painted together.

 

[Mike the Swede]

Thanks for all you comments my friends, I really enjoy doing these "simple" figures were the focus is on the body language and character
And yes, that helmet might appear to be a bit too far pushed back, it could be the photos and the angle. I always try to achieve as much realism as possible but there might also be a bit of artistic license here, all to create the look and feel I was after here on this figure and also on the whole vignette.