Mike's 28th Maori Battalion First Stage

[Richie]

I'm lost for words.

Joe

Me too Joe. Mike that's magnificent.
cheers
Richie

 

[Andrew Craft]

That's choice

 

[arxo]

This is just one of a kind. It is incredible how this 'textured' feel make it so lifelike...it's like seeing the pores on his face...Congratulations on a superb painting...

 

[Illa]

the look is brutal!!

 

[FigureLover]

Thats choice bro!!!! Very realistic tones and superb eyes. What changes did you do to the basic kit to get that Maori look, resculpt the whole face?
Ben

 

[pmfs]

Ugly paint, i´m joking. I envy you Mike, excellent excellent face...
Following.

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Incredible Mike, simply incredible, will follow this one closely. Regards, SG one for each eye

 

[mil-mart]

Superbly realistic painting congrats.

Cheers Ken

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Incredible painting. What scale is this

Thanks Bagelman. He's a bigger 1/6th scale, first I've ever done this large.
Photo below will give you feel for how he stacks up to others in my collection

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Great start Mike, love the "All Black" nose he has. Should be a great figure and look forward to you sharing it with us.
Son was over from NZ to Brisbane and went to get me a Naked Army figure but after a lot of trampimg about he found the shop had shut down, bummer. Did like the one Tony Dawes had at Euro a couple of years ago.

Don

Hi Don, you got it on the nose mate ;-)
Aiming to do a young man who's story can be told by his features.
Would never have thought of doing a figure this scale, but Alan's kind gift & Kaz Tomori's DDay GI inspired me.

Understand these are only available by mail order now.

Stay safe,
Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Very impressive. Great detail. The only thing I am missing is a bit of shine in eyes and on the lips.

Hi Piotrec, thanks for commenting here.
Spot on ref eyes, I still have to add a couple of layers of gloss varnish on these to bring them out.
Lips do have a soft sheen on real work. I may emphasis a little though he's in the desert so expect him to have dried, chapped lips.

Stay safe,

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Great painting Mike. I have this one at home 3/4 painted and haven't been able to bring myself to finish him. I'll be following your progress with great interest. The skin tones are superb. You've captured that distinctive Maori skin tones very well

Finish it off mate! Not sure how far I'll get with mine, as it is a massive piece.
Had some ideas to do lower section in Sepia tones.
Have to see.
Glad the Maori skin tone has come off here. Important part of telling his story.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Is this figure painting.
It looks so real. What a great paintwork on this face. Hope you don't do a catchlight, that looks so weard to me. A glossy varnish into the eyes let them look lifelike.

marc

Good to hear from you again Marc.
I've actually got some tiny 'catchlights' in his eye.
This is natural too me when we are looking at reflection of light around him.
However real effect will come when I varnish his eyes.

Lots more to be done, back to brushes soon.

Stay safe,
Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

This is just one of a kind. It is incredible how this 'textured' feel make it so lifelike...it's like seeing the pores on his face...Congratulations on a superb painting...

Thanks Arxo. Textures is something I strive for in all my work after advice from Mike Hall in Chicago many years ago & also following work of Hardy Tempest.
Important part of creating an effect, but am also trying to avoid making this overscale.
Tough challenge but am enjoying it, so appreciate your comments on this.

Kind regards,
Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Thats choice bro!!!! Very realistic tones and superb eyes. What changes did you do to the basic kit to get that Maori look, resculpt the whole face?
Ben

Hi Ben, love the Kiwi translation 'choice bro'!
Only reworking was around nose & brow between eyes.
Not totally sure it has come off in profile but full on seems to work OK.
Hoping painting will give better look to his features.

Bonza mate!

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi guys, I'm blown away by all your supportive comments here.
Don't have much time here as need to get some painting done while light is good.
Trust you don't mind if I reply each of your comments in this group post here.

Carl, Krom - Thanks guys for commenting on eyes. Important for telling his story, so have tried hard to show dark brown using great painting reference recommended by Kaz Tomori.

Adrian, Andy, Markus, Pedro - Your comments on the face of this project are most appreciated. They reassure me that I'm on the right path here.

MarquisMini - Ref "expression" thanks for commenting as this fierce look of determination is one way I've attempted to bring this soldier to life.

Helm, Chris, Ken - pleased to hear you think this is looking realistic guys. Important to try to replicate what our eyes see, so grateful for your supportive notes here.


Martin, Joe, Gellso, Mark, Derek, ChaosCossack, Ritchie, Illa, SturmG: Once again the kind comments you have taken time to post are humbling guys. This is important reason we share our work to see what others think, as well as strive to do better. Thanks personally to each of you for reaching out to this little Kiwi across the seas in NZ

"Choice" - Andrew - You got it Andrew. Love your work & the big photos you provide, hence thought I'd give it a go here myself. Thanks mate!

 

[fanai]

Mike thanks for sharing - this is my favourte historical period - makes me want to get out phils version of this " a 6th Div Man"

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mike thanks for sharing - this is my favourte historical period - makes me want to get out phils version of this " a 6th Div Man"

Hi Ian, glad you like him mate. Not sure I know the "6th Div Man" - an Aussie I presume ;-)

 

[NickM]

Hi Mike, unbelievable job on that face, mate. The Maori skin tones, the stubble, eyebrows, and those eyes...
Really top notch painting. Following this one closely - can't wait to see the end result
Cheers

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi Mike, unbelievable job on that face, mate. The Maori skin tones, the stubble, eyebrows, and those eyes...
Really top notch painting. Following this one closely - can't wait to see the end result
Cheers

Hi Nick thank you for your kindness. This is a big project, so will take me some time. I have an Armistice Day event in my hometown in just over a month & want to try to get top half done by then plus prime up a couple of WW1 ANZAC projects too. Will share as I make progress.

Stay safe,

Mike