Mike Blank's Blenheim diorama

[Mike Blank]

Mike sent me photos of the steps to creating his "Blenheim Diorama" that he exhibited at the recent Chicago show.

 

[Guy]

The completed scene:

Thanks Mike for sharing with us this beautiful diorama.
Guy

 

[elvis]

:lol: :lol: HELLO MY FRIEND, VERY GREAT VIGNETTE, FANTASTIC SCULP AND PAINT WORK. TAKE CARE MY FRIEND LUCA :lol:

 

[Kisifer]

That's a very beautiful vignette indeed. I really like the drama of the scene. Excellent sculpted figures from a great master. Really great job.

Xenofon

 

[bosko b]

Excellent work that really tells a story.

I especially like the figures of the falling men, very convincing animation, one of the best I have seen.

best regards

Luka

 

[Sambaman]

WOW! Great stuff. Really good drama in this piece. I agree as well, very convincing poses from the men getting shot!

Jay H.
OKC

 

[megroot]

This is what i really like. A diorama that tells a story and all the figures doing something. Not staring at eachother. This is absolutely a great diorama.

Marc

 

[garyjd]

Mike, Great composition. In looking at the figures, you appear to be making the physical build smaller. Not that there is anything wrong with it. I think it gives them a more period appearence.~Gary

 

[Christos]

Beautiful dio!
I love the energy and the action,
christos

 

[Uruk-Hai]

What can I say, Mike?
Superb as ever. But it has some resemblance of the Poltava diorama youve made in 2003. Or was it 2002?

Cheers

 

[jjgurk]

Excellent vignette. The overall presentation and composition is superb.

John

 

[EasyOff]

It truly depicts the horrors of war and leaves the viewer wondering, who's going to survive?

 

[vergilius]

Amazing !

 

[Dan Morton]

Just superb! Every figure has a character and individuality and a well-thought out pose that fits the scene. Very well-staged. Excellent sculpting craftsmanship and painting!

All the best,
Dan

 

[Mike Blank]

Dear friends
Thanx for all the comments! I really had a fun time doing this scene. As for the record the diorama shows the opening stages of the battle of Blenheim in 1704, when the English foot guards advanced against the French, and was heavily hit by french musket fire. In this scene I wanted to show the impact of the french fire into the tight, red lines of the foot guards. As Gary menitoned the fiigures appear to be slightöy slimmer (I am really trying to work with the clothes and creases and folds being in scale)And as Janne mentioned there is perhaps a slight resemblence to my Poltava dio from 2002, I guess we all have our favourite poses and carachters to sculpt in miniature form... I certainly have! And also having quite a few figures. vignettes and dioramas over the last years, some figures will look somewhat alike to earlier works!
As for my website, it is down for reconstruction right now, and to compensate for this I will be more active here on this forum (I guess I can´t be anymore inactive!!!)
Happy modelling
Mike
PS I can´t make it to Atlanta but I will be in IIaly in march, and in Valley Forge.

 

[captnenglish]

I must have missed this thread when my PC was down last year. Another brilliant dio from Mike (who has got to be one figure artists) and since the War of Spanish Succession is my new obession, I love this dio.

 

[paulyrichard]

Wonderful work. So much dynamism in the piece.

 

[lbfactory]

Mike this is simply stunning i love this vignette
I just have discover the uniforms of british red coat and sculpted this bust for a good friend JP Dana

best

 

[flart1943]

WoW

Hi Mike
Out of this world. WoW.
Pete

 

[Major_Goose]

I am a fan of Mike's work many years now. his sense of motion and the drama of his work os inspiring . This is one more nice piece, from a great artist