Michael Roberts 1/35 USMC Op.Iraqi Freedom

[Pete_H]

Hi there! I'm posting a couple of pictures of one of my latest on the workbench: Michael Roberts' 1/35 US Marine Op.Iraqi Freedom. I took the liberty of adding some 3rd.ID insignia and change it to a US Army trooper. By the way, this project is by no means finished: still need to clean up some details on the figure and groundwork. Comments are welcome.

P.S - sorry for posting this in the "general" thread, but I can't figure out how to create a new topic there.

 

[Roc]

Hey Pete,
Good work,I particular like the wall with the picture of Sadam the rat,nice details.

Roc.

 

[rdclaeps]

Looks good Petey. Are you going to weather the wall up a bit?

 

[Pete_H]

Roc,
Thanks, dude. I got the idea from Time/Life's book "21 Days to Baghdad" (pg.156-157). There's a picture there of a roadside tile-mosaic monument that was used as "target practice" by advancing Marines. The portrait was free-handed with oils over acrylics using some Evergreen 1/8" tile sheet plastic.

Rog,
Good point. I didn't see much weathering in the picture. How would I go about weathering glossy tile? I've already stippled in some dust onto the "black" part of the background (not very visible in the photo). Any suggestions?

 

[johnbrewer]

Pete how about some of the MIG productions weathering products?. I believe that the armour modellers out there rave about them.

 

[Pete_H]

John,
From what I've gathered - particularly from friends here in San Diego who've use very similar products - they're nothing more than pastel dusts, I don't think I want to spend the $$$ on them when I've got a box of pastels already I may try them, but my experiences with pastels hasn't been mostly positive. I feel that if I can achieve the same effects with the mediums towards which my skills lend themselves towards - oils & acrylics - then I'll stick with them. I'm just afraid of not getting it right with pastels. I hope you understand.

 

[johnbrewer]

I know what you are saying Pete. I tend to end up with a dusty mess that goes everwhere . I have seen some of the effects that the armour guys get and they are very good. I think they use white spirit as a medium to get the stuff to stay put and that stuff can turn a well painted oil based figure into a stripped figure that needs to be painted.

 

[RobH]

Pete

Very nicely done figure! And a good Sadam.

As to pigments or pastels, here's a link to MIGs application of them. Mainly for armour, yes, but at the bottom, a small piece on figures. Whether it be pastels or pigments, some nifty effects can be achieved other than just 'dusting'.

use of pastel/pigments

as John said, turpentine is often used, but it seems the possiblities are endless! Good for dioramas I should think



Rob

 

[Jim Patrick]

Pete, you said you paint oils over acrylics. My question is which colors did you use for the base coat of the uniform? I paint acrylics only but am having a hard time finding suitable colors (or mixes) I'm satisfied with.

Thanks, Jim

 

[IronMike]

Pete,
Looks great. I love the idea. BTW. I just got the lastest in the series from the sculptor. It's a Marine firing his M16 in a kneeling pose.

 

[Johan]

Hello there, dude!

Well, you are an excellent painter of the modern camouflage uniform. And you have done a tasteful representation in miniature here of a chapter in history which is still raw in the memories of many. You deserve a compliment:

------> <--------


As for the groundwork, I would add some spent shells - not necesseraly from the GI's weapon, but from a local man's Kalashnikov.... How about that?

 

[rdclaeps]

Maybe try adding some more weathering to it, it just looks to clean. I'm sure the "poster washer" wasn't cleaning Insane's photos while our troops were running around kicking ass. How about some trash laying around, newspaper/papers blown againt the wall or eggs/fruit thrown againt the photo.

 

[Johan]

or eggs/fruit thrown againt the photo

No, that would not be accurate .... those people have suffered for decennia and wouldn't waste food on the image of a dictator.... I believe most haven't seen eggs and fruit for years.

 

[Johan]

Ouais dis, un shoarma !!! Avec beaucoup de l'ail!!!!!

 

[Johan]

Eh... actually I believe it's Greek in origin, or maybe Turkish. But definetely not Arab.
Have you ever eaten it ? It's my favourite "junkfood"!


Well, this aside, I think Pete did a great job handpainting that Saddam mosaic wall ... actually, it would also be great to see this incorporated into a larger vignette or diorama, with a few figures and a vehicle.

 

[Lou Masses]

Originally posted by quang@Mar 8 2004, 02:43 PM
No, that would not be accurate .... those people have suffered for decennia and wouldn't waste food on the image of a dictator.... I believe most haven't seen eggs and fruit for years.

.....Err... how about pitta bread?

Anyone?

As if they would throw anything related to food at the wall as Johan said. These people have suffered, and will suffer more. I wouldn't make light of it by making "throwing pita bread" comments. That's all.

Maybe a couple of worn out sandals or shoes at the base of the painting. Since I believe that is very insulting, to show the sole or hit someone with a shoe in many Arab countries.

BTW-Thanks, I like that name

 

[gordy]

Originally posted by Lou Masses@Mar 8 2004, 02:50 PM
Maybe a couple of worn out sandals or shoes at the base of the painting. Since I believe that is very insulting, to show the sole or hit someone with a shoe in many Arab countries.

that would make a nice touch

Very nice work Pete!

 

[Pete_H]

Jim,
All colors are Vallejos. The base color is 1 part Iraqi Sand (819) + 1 part Pale Sand (837). The pattern is 1 part Khaki (988) + 1 part Stone Grey (884). Stripes along some of the khaki pattern are made with Flat Earth (983).

Hope this helps,

 

[Pete_H]

Roger,
Yeah, I see what you mean. What about a very light dusting with pastels over the base of the mosaic? I was thinking that since it's tile, then perhaps dust and such wouldn't stick to the surface well. What about some abrasions on the tiles' surface?

Johan,
Very good idea indeed. I'm going to put a few - say 4 or 5 - behind the trooper, so as to give the impression of the portrait being shot by the dude. In such a case, I'll need to add "tile chunks" on the base.

Lou,
You are correct, Sir. Smacking someone's face with the sole of a shoe/sandal, as well as exposing one's sole, is quite offensive in their culture. That's why we saw so many people stomping on statues' heads and whacking posters on CNN. A sandal at the bottom of the portrait would be a nice touch.

Thanks to all for your suggestions (keep 'em coming!) and kind comments I've got my work cut out for me.

 

[Joe Hudson]

Pete,

Nice job and I think you did a very nice job with the wall.

Joe