Maximus, Painted by Alex Castro

[Johan]

... There you go; I had a gut feeling when I said "let's give Alex a chance"

Alex, your method of painting the inside of a man's mouth, teeth etc., is absolutely realistic. It would be VERY useful for the rest of us if you could give us a method to do that on a 90mm or 120mm figure - I suppose your Maximus is 1/6 or something, but it would be good to know a method for doing that on a smaller figure (since most of us paint in what you'd call "small scale") - is it possible Alex, to create this effect on a smaller figure?

Thank you,

Johan

 

[Elia Cid]

Thanks John ,
how did you finally make out with the gold lace?
Happy Painting
Alex

 

[Johan]

Oops, guess we posted on exactly the same moment.

 

[Elia Cid]

Teutoburger Wald

Teutoburger Wald, 54mm, from Time Machine work-in - progress by, Alex Castro

Johan,

The very reason I am displaying so many large scales is so that the techniques could be seen clearly by all. In reference to your question, yes, these techniques can easily be translated to the smaller ones like 54mm, 90mm, 120mm! The essence of my system is that it work in the full range of miniature scales.

I prefer to demonstrate on large figures because everything is exposed and out in the open. One should never fear scales, large or small. I don't create techniques for every size but I do have concepts and techniques that work across the divide of scales.

Happy Painting
Alex



P.S. I will cover this in my Chapter called "It's a Matter of Scale " in my up coming book!

 

[Guy]

Very well done Alex.............my favorite period of History. I look forward to seeing more of this as you complete it.

guy

 

[Elia Cid]

Thanks Guy,

It is complete, put its the only picture I have now!
If I get more I will post them for you.
Alex

 

[TomRiddle]

I have held my tongue. I really like pF. But sometimes...

It may just be me, but I do not like your "style" Alex. I think that you do little research on your subjects. Those garish colors on the Time Machine diorama are really off base. It looks like the Simpsons gone on safari.

Your painting of metals is very poor. The "dry stroke" thing made me spit me drink out in a fit of laughter. That orange and green skin tone...man, yuck.

One more item (I suppose I will get my a** kicked out of pF...) you spout about shifting the paradigm of figure painting. I see nothing revolutionary...quite the contrary, you look to be dragging the hobby back in my estimation.

The one figure I really like is the dude crawling from his grave. That is excellent!

I will purchase your book out of curiosity. Enjoy your profit, I will see if it is fair or folly on my part.

Paint for fun, call it "art", do serious, scholarly work, paint from the box art. I work hard to develop my skills. I do nothing revolutionary. I just enjoy it and don't bang my own drum. Don't patronize me with the paradigm shift. You may want to back off that whole line.

If this is my last post, I want to thank Gordy for having a really excellent site. I check in here daily. You guys have a good thing...enjoy it, but please, be honest with one another.

Tom Riddle

 

[quang]

Tom,

I don't know why this should be your last post.

It was straight to the point, honest and devoid of malice. I appreciated it very much. I guess Gordy and the other members did too.



Quang

 

[Lou Masses]

Tom,

I don't know why you'd get canned. That's your opinion and you're entitled to it.

It isn't just you, I can certainly see where you are coming from-I too have questioned much of the "technique" presented in the manner presented. I have no issue with fresh ideas, I think you know me well enough to know that I encourage experimentation and change in every aspect of our passion and all of us sharing ideas is how we become better but I just don't see the back up and results either.
. I too saw good results in the larger garage kit stuff, but in the 120mm and down, the concept didn't translate well. While not bad, by any means, not exactly "Earth Shattering" or "Paradigm shifting".

I would never, ever come out and demean someone's work, but when you postulate, preach and talk to us as though you are Leonardo DaVinci and the work just doesn't live up to the hype, I'm afraid you open yourself up for what comes.

I admire your candor Tom.

Lou

 

[RobH]

Tom

I certainly appreciate your comments here.

I hope you don't leave on account of speaking your mind.

I agree with a number of your points but Alex has certainly made us review the way we approach our hobby (whether that be a rethink or a 'yes I think I'm doing ok') and he's certainly made a major contribution to this site. His work on the garage kits is outstanding and as said elsewhere, this site is not a 54mm - 120mm military modelling site (although I do little else)

I agree with you Lou, the concept doesn't translate well in the smaller scales. Which is what a lot of are used to. although there are lessons to be learnt, as with everything contributed to pF.

we need a 'peace' emiticon

Rob

 

[Paul Kelly]

Lou and Tom,

Bravo!

If I may add my two cents. Mr. Castro, while I greatly admire your enthusiasm and your willingness to share your techniques, I find nothing earth shattering or revolutionary in your techniques at all. I agree with Lou. When you do preach, postulate, and just come across as the 'be all and end all' in this hobby, you leave yourself open to honest critisicm.

Although I find your overall painting nice, your fleshtones are very weak, and decals for the eyes? I won't even get into that one.

Take this post for what you will. It is just MY open and honest opinion.

 

[gordy]

Originally posted by RobH@Feb 18 2004, 08:05 PM
although there are lessons to be learnt, as with everything contributed to pF.

indeed, Rob you get it

we need a 'peace' emiticon

Rob

 

[Pete_H]

Tom,
Why would you get canned? I haven't been canned yet Dude, your posting was honest, straight-forward, and a true critique - albeit not the one that some want to hear. I would like to use your commentary as my basis for a tangent to this discussion: true critiques.
I must be completely honest and blunt: the only true critiques I've seen on this forum come from three members. Beyond those, all we read is "wow, good job, best work ever" when there's clearly room for improvement. But why don't we be honest with each other and talk about what's "wrong" with a figure, a paintjob, etc? Afterall, we do learn from our mistakes, don't we? If we don't, then it's because we won't allow ourselves to do so. If I post a picture of my latest, I WANT to be told what I can improve upon so I can become a better painter. All the rah-rah stuff isn't going to do my skills any good.
Great job, Tom (if for a bandcamp sailor ).

P.S - does this mean I'm not getting on the "autographed book list" ? :lol:

 

[John Long]

Pete, I agree to a point. I have gotten some very honest critiques here. Quang is especially helpful in this area, as is Gary Dombrowski. We do leave ourselves a little vulnerable to nitpicking if honesty is taken too far. It's also difficult to be critical of someone you don't know from Adam, and gauge that criticism to the ability of the painter/sculptor of the work under scrutiny. Afterall, we may be asking that someone do something that is just not in their ability. This should probably be made it's own topic.

 

[gordy]

Originally posted by Pete_H@Feb 18 2004, 08:42 PM
  I must be completely honest and blunt: the only true critiques I've seen on this forum come from three members.  Beyond those, all we read is "wow, good job, best work ever" when there's clearly room for improvement.  But why don't we be honest with each other and talk about what's "wrong" with a figure, a paintjob, etc?  Afterall, we do learn from our mistakes, don't we?  If we don't, then it's because we won't allow ourselves to do so.  If I post a picture of my latest, I WANT to be told what I can improve upon so I can become a better painter.  All the rah-rah stuff isn't going to do my skills any good.

If the poster asks for it, and not taking it for granted every painter wants to be who you think they aspire to be.

 

[Alan]

"If the poster asks for it, and not taking it for granted every painter wants to be who YOU THINK they aspire to be."

Now that is a very good point ............something to bear in mind when discussing a piece and which is often forgotten.

 

[Robin]

Me too
AS the saying goes,

you can't please everyone all the time

I don't see any reason why it ahould be your last post either, if figure modellers can't take honest candour then they would never improve.

Robin

 

[Pete_H]

Ringo,
Very nicely said. By the way, what's with your avatar? It looks like you've been in a marijuana sauna for the last 48 hours. What goes on in Switzerland anyway?! See you in under 48 hours, my friend!!!

Robin,
You're along the tracks of what I was talking about. If figure modelers can't take the candor, then they'll never improve. So why don't we see more honest and open critiques here? 90% of what we see is "gee whiz, it's the best figure I've ever seen" when it clearly it is not. I mean, even a blind man can see that blending is needed, that putty-lumps don't complement a conversion, that the "dry-stroke method" is something best left for a lonely Friday night, that decals aren't the best and most convincing methods, or that "the great pumpkin Charlie Brown fleshtones" don't yield realistic results. So why not call it as we see it? Afterall, if we're all truly "open-mindend" then we can learn from the critiques we ask for. Right?

 

[frank h]

Hi All
Look's like the Planet has come of age.
The Honeymoon period is over.

Criticism, is a good thing and should be welcomed
as long as it is designed to encourage. It can be
entertaining as long as we are all smiling together
and the recipient of it can smile too.

Frank

 

[LCoote]

Well, very refreshing comments indeed, Tom I think you said what others were only thinking.