WIP Maori bust in progress

[Canoehead]

Tony nailed advice Brian on your question.
I wanted to share most authentic ta moko on this bust I’ve ever seen. Kudos to young exPat Kiwi Andrew Wade - I trust he’s ok with me sharing for those who haven’t seen it.
Recommend seeking him out on Facebook - a very talented painter I admire.
MikeTheKiwi

View attachment 450634

Wow! That is amazing work (and not a little intimidating!) - thanks for posting it, Mike. It'll be a great reference as I head into this phase of the project. The ink tones are exactly the look I am hoping I can attempt.

I'll definitely look up Andrew's FB page. Talented does not begin to describe...

 

[Steve Ski]

Wow, if that don't beat all, sheesh! That face is incredible, tats and all, thx for posting, Mike. Fortunately I don't spacebook it, so I won't be able to see his work.

I think you'll be fine, Brian, your work speaks for itself

 

[Canoehead]

Hi all - been a bit of a stretch since the last posting. Here's a shot of the progress so far. As is obvious, I haven't tackled the ta moko yet, but have doinked around on some of the other accoutrements like the hei tiki pounamu pendant and his kakahu (cloak):

Hopefully, I'll get a good chunk of time this weekend to start the tattooing - once my palms stop sweating...

 

[Ferris]

Go for it... no guts, no glory! You can do it.

Adrian

 

[Nap]

Hi Brian

Great to see the update you just keep doinking ....coming along nicely

Sure the palms will cease sweating and you'll nail the tattoos

Keep calm and enjoy

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi all - been a bit of a stretch since the last posting. Here's a shot of the progress so far. As is obvious, I haven't tackled the ta moko yet, but have doinked around on some of the other accoutrements like the hei tiki pounamu pendant and his kakahu (cloak):
Hopefully, I'll get a good chunk of time this weekend to start the tattooing - once my palms stop sweating...
View attachment 451531

Beautiful detail painting Brian.
Really captured effects of each item.
Nice warm up for main challenge mate!!!
YOU GOT THIS!!
MikeTheKiwi

 

[Canoehead]

Thanks all for the pep talk - I'm confident, yet cautious; a good combination for something like this, methinks.

More photos to follow.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[Canoehead]

First cut at the ta moko. Any changes can be made fairly easily for a bit, since I've used oils. Once it's had a chance to dry, I'll go back in and add some shadows, highlights, tweaking the flesh, etc.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[Nap]

Go Brian Go ........

Great start

Patience is the key me thinks

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Yes slowly but surely Brian.
Just the way I like painting too.
Nice base ta Moko with traditional designs.
This will be a beauty - do like tone & detail here.
MikeTheKiwi

 

[Canoehead]

Yes slowly but surely Brian.
Just the way I like painting too.
Nice base ta Moko with traditional designs.
This will be a beauty - do like tone & detail here.
MikeTheKiwi

Go Brian Go ........

Great start

Patience is the key me thinks

Happy benchtime

Nap

Thanks for the early comments, gents - much appreciated.

I was most interested at this point with feedback on the style, scale and accuracy/realism of the designs.

These photos show them as more greyish and less greenish than they appear in person and the glare from the wet oils is a bit off-putting currently. I'll see what it looks like when dry, then fine tune if necessary. As long as no one says, "They're completely inauthentic! Remove them completely!", I figure it's just tweaking from here!

Thanks again,
Brian

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Thanks for the early comments, gents - much appreciated.
I was most interested at this point with feedback on the style, scale and accuracy/realism of the designs.
These photos show them as more greyish and less greenish than they appear in person and the glare from the wet oils is a bit off-putting currently. I'll see what it looks like when dry, then fine tune if necessary. As long as no one says, "They're completely inauthentic! Remove them completely!", I figure it's just tweaking from here!
Thanks again,
Brian

Brian ref patterns, they look generally correct mate.
I would expect to see some detailing & variety in colour hues.
If these are sketched on with a modern day pen they would be quite flat & darker in tone. However if from 19th Cent there would be effect of etching into the skin so many fine highlights & shadows would be more appropriate. Also check references where finesse of detail is also an important aspect for both the master ta Moko artist & to help acknowledge his Warrior status.
Trust that helps a little more.
MikeTheKiwi

 

[Canoehead]

Brian ref patterns, they look generally correct mate.
I would expect to see some detailing & variety in colour hues.
If these are sketched on with a modern day pen they would be quite flat & darker in tone. However if from 19th Cent there would be effect of etching into the skin so many fine highlights & shadows would be more appropriate. Also check references where finesse of detail is also an important aspect for both the master ta Moko artist & to help acknowledge his Warrior status.
Trust that helps a little more.
MikeTheKiwi

Great advice Mike - thanks. I'll try to build your suggestions into the next stage, if my skills will allow it. Will definitely check in for comments as I proceed.

Cheers

 

[Canoehead]

Added some shadow and highlight work today - from a distance it's not too bad but man is it shaky-looking when you zoom in! Simple cure - don't zoom in Comments and advice on the progress welcome.

Brian

View attachment 451674

 

[Wayneb]

That's a healthy dose of looking very good. Looks good from far away............................................And close up.

Wayne

 

[Nap]

That's a healthy dose of looking very good. Looks good from far away............................................And close up.

Wayne

Agree there

I'm sure Brian is holding his breath when paying this ...coming on well .....he's definitely braver than me !

Look forward to seeing more

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Added some shadow and highlight work today - from a distance it's not too bad but man is it shaky-looking when you zoom in! Simple cure - don't zoom in Comments and advice on the progress welcome.
Brian

Hi Brian,
Promising progress mate & am sure as it Matts down should start to show detail more. Suggest lightening tones to show more faded effect unless you’re after more modern darker tones
Benefit of oils allows fine tuning detail & always useful to have photos to see how it looks from another perspective.
Keep on going mate, will be worth effort I’m sure.
MikeTheKiwi

 

[Canoehead]

Hi Brian,
Promising progress mate & am sure as it Matts down should start to show detail more. Suggest lightening tones to show more faded effect unless you’re after more modern darker tones
Benefit of oils allows fine tuning detail & always useful to have photos to see how it looks from another perspective.
Keep on going mate, will be worth effort I’m sure.
MikeTheKiwi

Thanks for the guidance, Mike - always glad to have an extra set of experienced eyes on a project. I'll definitely try fading things out a bit; goal is to make the whole thing look as realistic as possible, like the tattooing is actually in the skin and not just painted on the surface.

One thing is for certain - I pose absolutely no threat to the livelihoods of the real tohunga ta moko...

I continue to rely on your constructive advice - please keep it coming!

Cheers,

Brian

 

[Tony Dawe]

Hi Brian

Kudos on tackling ta moko.

I’ve tried to paint tartan and all kinds of complex camouflage schemes over the years, but nothing comes close to the precision and complexity of facial tattoos.

I would support Mike’s advice regarding fading the colour slightly. I would also suggest you consider using your flesh tone colour to fill the areas between the outer lines that define the pattern shape, and then add a single line of tattoo colour equi-distant from the two outer lines. At the moment it looks like a slightly green colour has been used the fill those gaps.

Would you like to share your references for the ta moko design? What’s the story behind it?

Keep going Brian. You’re doing a great job.

 

[NigelR]

This is all incredibly impressive work, very well done!