Mike Blank's World Expo Project

[Mike Blank]

I recieved an e-mail from Mike with a message to planet members about his World Expo project.

Dear friends
First of all I am sorry for my recent silence on this forum , we have been so very busy with our little Alvina... time does fly somteimes!
Anyway here is my World Expo project, my first shadow box diorama. The scene is based on a painting by the Swedish artist C G Cederström and depicts the day after king Charles XII has been shot during a siege at Halden in Norway in 1719. In the background we can see the dead king, and in the forground his karoliner soldiers are morning their beloved king (who they whorshiped). We can almost feel the sadness and sorrow as we study the expressions and bodylanguage of this very emotional scene.
I have here included some inprogress photos of this project... hope you guys will be able to see some resemblence to the painting!
Happy painting
Mike

 

[Guy]

Many thanks Mike for sharring these with us.

Guy

Mike's Planet Portfolio

 

[Dan Morton]

Beautifully done, Mike. The sculpting is just great! I can't wait to see more.

I'm curious to see how you deal with the color of the lighting in the painting. In the painting, it looks perhaps late afternoon(?). Will you somehow work that into the shadow box?

all the best,
Dan

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Im gettin soooo jeloaus.............
I notice that youve decided to leave out the curaiss.
Very good work here, most impressive even though youve already had told me about your plans.

(Ive calmed down now :lol: )

 

[Joe Hudson]

Mike,

Wow! I really look forward to seeing more of this one and the finished dio at WE. Thanks for the pictures.

Joe

 

[garyjd]

Those figures are great. I found a larger copy of this painting on the net month's before finding out that Mike planned on doing it, thinking all along that it would make a great diorama. Mike's just the guy to do it.~Gary

 

[elvis]

great work my fiend. this is the BEST OF SHOW OF WORLD EXPO?take care my friend Luca

 

[captnenglish]

I can't make it to WE but hope to see this person someday

 

[rej]

Mike, Fantastic................maybe your best piece so far?

I agree with Joe Hudson can't wait to see more of this and to see it in the flesh in Boston, if faith smiles on us all

Regards,

Ray

 

[Anders Heintz]

Tjena Mike!

Kul att se att du har varit sa flitig sen Atlanta! Har sett fram emot detta anda sen du talade om vad du hade planerat! Ser ju super snyggt ut ann sa lange, kommer att se annu battre ut med farg pa det!

Keep it up!

 

[Jason W.]

Wow! This is going to be super!

 

[Evan August]

Wow, this is going to be great. I love to see these projects based on paintings, I'd love to do one myself someday.

 

[Kisifer]

What can i say?? That's simply awesome. Keep up the great work and effort Mike.

 

[Roy]

Hey Mike...this project is going to be a pleasure to behold. The way you have captured the sorrowful expressions and body language of these men is just amazing, all of them so beautifully sculpted. And all this in a shadow box.. this indeed promises to be something truly special. I can't wait to see the added interest that the light will bring...the figure next to the window being a good example.

All the best.

Roy.

 

[RobH]

Well it seems that Boston will be the rediscovery of the Shadow box, with both this and Bill Horan - 2 masters presenting such works make Boston a must attend event!

Mike, this looks superb - Body Language is obviously your thing and this is a masterclass!

Cheers

Rob

 

[LCoote]

Wow! what a magnificent piece this is going be!

 

[caramba]

Wow!

 

[jjgurk]

Incredible and what a pefect shadow box scene to depict. All of the elements are there. Am really looking forward to seing how you create the lighting effects Mike.

John

 

[JCOX]

This is going to be a fantastic dio. Can't wait to see it come to life. From the looks of what you've done so far, this is gonna be sweet.

-jim cox

 

[Mike Blank]

Thanks for the very kind comments on this piece my friends!!!
I am full of inspiration working on this project, it is really like working as a stage or movie director, and me being a filmfanatic I am indeed having a blast!
It should be noted that although the painting is very dramatic, it is not quite accurate when it comes to the uniforms (the painting was done in the late 19th c) so you may notice some differences in the uniforms of the figures I am sculpting, such as the cuirass (hardly in use at this late stage on the war) and the greatcoat of the soldier sitting closest to the extreme left.Once again many thanks for your inspirational words!
Mike