Mike's 28th Maori Bn Sgt - Finished

[Mike - The Kiwi]

It was really fun to watch you painting this one, Mike. The end result is amazingly realistic.
Really inspiring stuff.
Cheers

Glad you enjoyed the process Nick. Wasn't sure who was following it & so good to get your feedback.
Thanks for commenting.

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Ultra-realistic! I've been following your SBS and watched this one come to life... The face is superb, the tones are just amazing and the eyes look alive. The different textures are reproduced really well.

Great job. It was a long road but it was well worth it. Congrats.
Mario

Mario really pleased to get your kind note & specific notes on how this looked.
Yep it was a long project so glad it's over in a positive way.

Thanks!

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Simply stunning Mike, its a pleasure to just sit and stare at the photos, taking in all the small details that you have taken the time to add to this figure. The look and colouring of the Maori is superb and the weathiering is out of this world. Thank you
Ben

Hi Ben, appreciate you'll have context for these guys so good therefore to hear it looks like he should - from photos anyway;-)

Ta mate!

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

The different textures are a feast for the eyes.
Lovely finish Mike,
and thanks for going to the the trouble to do the SBS.
Carl.

Am grateful for your ongoing encouragement Carl.

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Offo, Bagelman, Joe, John, Adrian, Ron, Jim, Santiago...
Guys each comment here is most appreciated.
Each of these spurs you onto the next challenge.

Stay safe,
Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Absolutely breathtaking piece af artistic work, my friend. Masterful brush work, worth to study. Dirty flesh and thick textile (rucksack) is particulary excelent! A museum piece, congratulations

Hi Robert been awhile mate!
Thanks back to you for your post here & continue to enjoy seeing your projects.
When you gonna share another MedRom subject with us?

Keep painting!

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Outstanding Mike. Every surface, every texture is absolutely convincing.
Face is spectacularly realistic and the expression conveys a genuine sense of character and purpose.
Brilliant Where do you go from here?
Cheers
Derek

Hiya Derek nice to get your post. Next project is a smaller one for Andy Cairns - another little Maori this time a bust. Not as demanding in scale but still poses some new opportunities to try more textures out.
Should be fun!

Stay warm ;-)

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mike, you've raised the bar for us all mate. Best version of this figure I've seen. Awesome skin tones snd wonderful texturing and attention to detail. I've really enjoyed following your progress and watching you bring this fella to life.

Thanks Tony, seriously though mate can't see too many tackling this project though I reckon they should.
Khaki Army have some neat smaller scale full figures in the wings due for t
Release which I reckon we'll see some interesting renditions on one day.
Hope we may meet in Brissie later in year at QMHE maybe?

Stay safe in your travels

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi Mike,
That work of yours is outstanding, informatitive and inspirational. Big thumbs up. Can't wait to see what you tackle next.
View attachment 122347
cheers
Richie

A little Maori bust will be next in line Richie.
Thanks for thumbs up, nothing beats an endangered species saying you've done good

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Ken, Marina, Ski, Marc, Markus, Pedro, Gells, Dave, Christiane, John, Captain LOl...

Hi all, trust you'll forgive me for a group response. Getting ready to head to bed but wanted to personally thank each of you for taking the time to comment on this fellow. Each helps refill the brush with a little kind spirit for the next round ;-)

Kind regards,

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Outstanding Mike ,your style really suits these large scale figures .Well done.

Good to hear from you mate! When I get him properly mounted will bring him up so we can share projects.
I'm off to UK & Singapore for family holiday in June/ July but plan to try & get to IPMD Nationals in Auckland mid September. Be great to catch up then if you're around.

Trust family all well too

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

It's all been said mate what a stunner. Will we see it in Brisbane this year?

If it's physically possible to do so & I can make it through customs I will mate!

Go the 95th!

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi Mike,
I cant add much to what has been already said,but you have really brought him to,life.The textures you,ve done are great ,not a milimitre spared from the brush.
Regards
Andy

You know how much I value your support Andy thanks!
Time now to start on your bust mate & hope I can him justice.
Sorry it took so long to get past this guy but didn't want to get distracted.
Ta for your patience.

Talk more soon,

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

This is a wonderful job, and the textures , as everyone says, are brilliantly done. And I love the face.
In a way , as a 1/6th scale modeller myself, it's surprising you don't go the whole hog and make him with real clothes and kit !

Hi Tony,

Neat to get your comments mate as I follow your big figure work & used your Aussie & Brit 'Greatcoat trio' as guidance as I worked through this project.

Ref making my own bits, sorry too much of a klutz & not good at sewing to get this done with too many bits.

Do you think I should share this guy own some of the 1/6th forums - would others there be interested in this more static representation perhaps?

Thanks again,

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hey Mike!

Great stuff! This really is a different approach to painting - where the primary concern is with surface effects over the usual shading and highlighting. I can compare this with recent developments in the painting of armor models, where the passé "Verlinden" approach of shading and highlighting has been totally supplanted by preoccupation with surface weathering effects.

This is very effective in this large scale. But, as I suspect you discovered, it is WHOLE LOT of work! Kudos!!

Hi again Mike, man it's been a long time since we spent that fab 3 Mikes time in Chicago - hope we get a chance to do it again some time!

Thanks for your insight on my approach. Always value your learned perspective & context with what our hobby is about. Hadn't thought about transition from Francois to Mig but know what you mean, certainly aim for more of the latter in my old age ;-)

Keep inspiring us mate!

"Kiwi" Mike

 

[Tutilo17]

Amazingly realistic replication of the structure of the different materials, namely the webbing and the overcoat.

Congratulations!

Stefan

 

[John Belcher]

Absolutley Stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mike. You have done a fantastic and very realistic job.Look forward to see him in the flesh.
Regards,John

 

[Mark S]

Brilliant, simply stunning!!..Superb painting indeed.
That sound you can hear is me snapping my brushes in half and tossing them and my paints in the bin..........Cheers mate, well done.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi Mike,
It's all been said over the thread , but quite simply a STUNNING result my friend , as I said to you when you were here in Brisbane these figures are big but the results make a superb centrepiece and start a lot of conversations, Mate I hope you enjoyed painting him as much as I enjoyed seeing you bring him to life and honouring the men of the 28th Bn . I doff my hat to you
Cheers
Al

You are so right Alan about how these guys tend to standout in a collection.
I have to work out where I put him now because unsure whether glass shelves in my cabinet will support his weight ;-) nice problem to have & would not have been possible with out your kind gesture.

Thanks mate for giving me the chance to experience this scale & subject.

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

That turned out ace Mike, even in the thread thumbnail the paintjob looks realistic. The face looks just awesome, straight-on we could be looking at photos of a real person!

Einion

Hey Einion neat to hear from you mate & thanks. Good to hear you like him.
I'm going to be doing a whistle stop,family trip to your land in June so look forward to finally seeing your green landscape. Can't wait to meet the cuzzies there round Trim & Cork.

Stay safe

Mike