Mike's 28th Maori Battalion First Stage

[Helm]

I too have clutter down pat just the painting that is lacking

Steve

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Looking great, I'm most impressed at your painting desk though, a fine desk, full of essential clutter, just like mine, although i can't paint anything like your quality!

Thanks "Krom" my wife bought me the desk many years ago. It's actually an old 'mini bar' that the would have contained drinks, glasses etc. Desk goes up & top folds down to secure everything away - haven't closed it for a while though ;-)

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Mike,

Great to see your latest pics and to get an insight into your work area and methods. Given the precise and detailed nature of your painting, I imagined you work in a very tidy, almost pristine, hermetically sealed room with everything in a very ordered way. I'm rather pleased to see your workbench is as chaotic and untidy as mine. Great work on the webbing, the leather and the skin tones so far mate. Now for those vast expanses of khaki on the arms and lower body. Can't wait to see your next pics

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Tony

Hi Mike,

Great to see your latest pics and to get an insight into your work area and methods. Given the precise and detailed nature of your painting, I imagined you work in a very tidy, almost pristine, hermetically sealed room with everything in a very ordered way. I'm rather pleased to see your workbench is as chaotic and untidy as mine. Great work on the webbing, the leather and the skin tones so far mate. Now for those vast expanses of khaki on the arms and lower body. Can't wait to see your next pics

Tony working on khaki as we speak & if time permits may get a couple more update photos for you review this weekend.
Keen to get feedback to see if I've missed anything or got details wrong.
Stay safe,
Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi Mike,

Great to see your latest pics and to get an insight into your work area and methods. Given the precise and detailed nature of your painting, I imagined you work in a very tidy, almost pristine, hermetically sealed room with everything in a very ordered way. I'm rather pleased to see your workbench is as chaotic and untidy as mine. Great work on the webbing, the leather and the skin tones so far mate. Now for those vast expanses of khaki on the arms and lower body. Can't wait to see your next pics

Thought I'd grab those quick snaps on the iPad tonight Tony to get your feedback on how this is looking.
Still have time to fine tune torso details if not major fixes & only early into Khaki greatcoat, but would welcome yours & other comments.
What do you think?

Mike

 

[Joe55]

Damn, I can't think of any adjectives! I remember those Memorex cassette tape commercials in the 70's that went something like "Is it live, or is it Memorex !" In this case is it live, or is it Mike the Kiwi and his brush! This project is looking super, and I'm impatiently waiting to see it completed.

Joe

 

[Mariobusta]

Amazing as always Mike, Are you keeping count of the amount of hours your spending on this one ?

Neil

 

[Colin_Fraser]

"Haven't you had that baby yet?" ... or the modelling equivalent. Excellent textures.

Colin

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Mike,

Well bugger me. That's some mighty fine painting painting mate.

In the interest of being constructively critical rather than simply offering praise, I would like to make a couple of humble observations, which may seem picky but are intended to encourage you to continue taking this figure to the next level.

Firstly the texture you've added the the 37 Pattern ammunition pouches and the back pack, especially the horizontal stripes don't look right to my eye. The webbing should be more of a weave pattern, as shown in the pic below. It's been a while since I wore bren gun pouches on my webbing but I think you could make it look even better if you created a more subtle weave pattern on the back pack and pouches. I would try to replicate the pattern you've achieved on the waist belt at the rear, which clearly shows a more vertical orientation to the weave pattern in the webbing, or make it even more subtle like the gas mask bag around his neck.

Another observation I would make is that the neck of the water bottle, which is visible above the cloth cover could be a dark blue glossy enamel colour, as well as dark green. It may have been different for the Kiwi's, but many of the early WW2 water bottles used by Australian troops in North Africa were old WW1 era mark 1 water bottles that were protected by blue enamel (similar to the example shown below on the right). They were replaced later in the war by dark green bottles as shown in the pic below on the left, however this figure represents an early war (1940/41) era soldier, and it is likely he was wearing kit that was a mix of 37 Pattern and late WW1 era webbing. The rim of the neck of the water bottle would probably be chipped to show the white enamel underneath the blue, which would be another small touch you could add to compliment all the other small details you've already added.

Based on the small amount of khaki you've done on the great coat collar, I think you're on the right track mate. Looks like you've worked some very subtle variations of colour and texture into the great coat surface. I hope you don't mind my comments and observations. I'm eagerly looking forward to your next installement.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

I too have clutter down pat just the painting that is lacking

Steve

"Out of chaos comes order" Steve ;-)
Keep practicing the clutter & the painting will follow...

 

[Gra30]

AMAZING, as was posted before on a couple of threads, this is why I hope one day it is recognised as a true art.
I live in Devon, still see the wicker person when passing , I know what I prefer ))))))) and what is a true art.
This is old masters in 3d
Kind regards and best wishes
Gra

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Amazing as always Mike, Are you keeping count of the amount of hours your spending on this one ?

Neil

Happy 2013 Neil!
Trust you had good time with family.

Nope decided against keeping time on this chap though it has been considerable e.g. couple of hours on the entrenching tool handle alone.

Glad it looks OK mate & will have to get together this year to share our projects in flesh.

Stay safe,
Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

"Haven't you had that baby yet?" ... or the modelling equivalent. Excellent textures.
Colin

Your post on SBS encouraged me to add another 'Step' here Colin, good to hear you find it of value.
Really working hard to get suitable textures into relevant parts here & yes it does feel like a bit like birthing a baby, though I don't have first hand experience at this ;-)

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Damn, I can't think of any adjectives! I remember those Memorex cassette tape commercials in the 70's that went something like "Is it live, or is it Memorex !" In this case is it live, or is it Mike the Kiwi and his brush! This project is looking super, and I'm impatiently waiting to see it completed.
Joe

You embarrass me again Joe
Not familiar with cassette tape advert but do value your kind thoughts.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

AMAZING, as was posted before on a couple of threads, this is why I hope one day it is recognised as a true art.
I live in Devon, still see the wicker person when passing , I know what I prefer ))))))) and what is a true art. This is old masters in 3d
Kind regards and best wishes
Gra

Hey Gra you are incredibly kind with this comparision.
I know some of our fraternity are in that sort of league, not sure my work is yet.
Let's see how it ends up.
Thanks for taking the time to post.

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi Mike,

Well bugger me. That's some mighty fine painting painting mate.

Would prefer not mate ;-) but get what your "Kiwi slang" saying is thanks!

In the interest of being constructively critical rather than simply offering praise, I would like to make a couple of humble observations, which may seem picky but are intended to encourage you to continue taking this figure to the next level.
Firstly the texture you've added the the 37 Pattern ammunition pouches and the back pack, especially the horizontal stripes don't look right to my eye. The webbing should be more of a weave pattern, as shown in the pic below. It's been a while since I wore bren gun pouches on my webbing but I think you could make it look even better if you created a more subtle weave pattern on the back pack and pouches. I would try to replicate the pattern you've achieved on the waist belt at the rear, which clearly shows a more vertical orientation to the weave pattern in the webbing, or make it even more subtle like the gas mask bag around his neck.
.

Really value this Tony that's why I took time out to do these photos last night to get your constructive feedback.
Ref weave in all fairness it probably should be indeterminable in this scale. I've simply tried to simulate a texture.
Time precludes a repaint of the pack & pouches - lots of hours already invested so have to call it a day at some stage.
However did base weave on some actual examples I handled at Armistice Day event late last year.
These revealed that webbing material items could be stitched in different weave directions -( see photo of box of pouches below).
I took this as a 'perhaps' for the pack to as I wanted this to differ slightly from other webbing items.
Front gas mask haversack is made of canvas & hence has a specific texture which I tried to replicate.
(See photo comparing small back pack & gas mask holder below)
Trust you'll forgive me on the weave pattern this time

Another observation I would make is that the neck of the water bottle, which is visible above the cloth cover could be a dark blue glossy enamel colour, as well as dark green. It may have been different for the Kiwi's, but many of the early WW2 water bottles used by Australian troops in North Africa were old WW1 era mark 1 water bottles that were protected by blue enamel (similar to the example shown below on the right). They were replaced later in the war by dark green bottles as shown in the pic below on the left, however this figure represents an early war (1940/41) era soldier, and it is likely he was wearing kit that was a mix of 37 Pattern and late WW1 era webbing. The rim of the neck of the water bottle would probably be chipped to show the white enamel underneath the blue, which would be another small touch you could add to compliment all the other small details you've already added.

You're on the money here Tony & I will do the minor paintwork adjustment to the blue bottle using your photo as a reference - thanks for sharing this.
NZ units had similiar supply of mixed pattern webbing at this stage of war. Waterbottle here is a 1908 pattern so fits with blue bottle & this also adds a little bit of different colour too. Will include a couple of small enamel chips too.

Based on the small amount of khaki you've done on the great coat collar, I think you're on the right track mate. Looks like you've worked some very subtle variations of colour and texture into the great coat surface. I hope you don't mind my comments and observations. I'm eagerly looking forward to your next installement.

Good to hear on this point though had a minor disaster last night, or learning point. Over compensated for glossy acrylics with Matt medium & it made situation worse so had to do a recovery paint job. Working on this at present & am a bit happier with colour though effect of heavy wool serge is evading me. More practice tonite.

Again thank you for taking the time to provide helpful tips.

Stay safe,
Mike

 

[Gra30]

Hi Mike,
My computer is slow and so have edited in response, yes you are and your work is masterful, the reproducing of texture is outstanding, another aim for me, where can this hobby go ?, meant in the positive way
It seems seeing this we have caught up with the etch brass of the AFV modellers and weathering and now SOME of us (not me) humble painters produce this with brushes
(I respect all so please dont jump on me and was onlt meant lightly), seeing the shades and texture it is as if drawing from QM stores, superb mate and a Big Big inspiration
Thank you and all the best
Gra

 

[DEL]

It's all been said already Mike..........a masterpiece

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi Mike,
My computer is slow and so have edited in response, yes you are and your work is masterful, the reproducing of texture is outstanding, another aim for me, where can this hobby go ?, meant in the positive way
It seems seeing this we have caught up with the etch brass of the AFV modellers and weathering and now SOME of us (not me) humble painters produce this with brushes
(I respect all so please dont jump on me and was onlt meant lightly), seeing the shades and texture it is as if drawing from QM stores, superb mate and a Big Big inspiration
Thank you and all the best
Gra

Hi Gra, apologies if I sounded short with you, not intended.
I'm humbled by comments here & sometimes unsure how to respond but do want to acknowledge support given.
Again thanks heaps

Mike

 

[Ferris]

I'm late into this thread, and what have I been missing!
That's some terrific paintwork Mike. Love how you did the texture of the webbing. Leather jerkin is excellent as well.
You'd think things become easier when they're bigger, but when you start doing such details, the reverse must be true!

Great stuff.

Cheers,
Adrian