WIP Mike's ANZACs @Chunuk Bair by The Fusilier

[Viking Bob]

Wow, stunning, superb painting bring this chap to life, can't wait to see the whole lot together.
Regards

 

[arj]

Superb final figure. Looking forward to seeing them all together.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[peedee]

I have watched this develop to this point without commenting because I couldn't add anything new to the compliments of others.
I am keenly anticipating the final basing and presentation of the scene.
I hope you enjoy the finished result as much as we have had the pleasure of watching this SBS build.

Truly super stuff.

Paul.

 

[Huw63]

I think Paul's comments express what we're all thinking about this amazing project.

This is artistry of the highest level.

Cheers

Huw

 

[Chrisr]

Mike,
Excellent painting. This is a wonderful tribute to, which I presume is, the very gallant action fought by the Kiwi's on Chunuk Bair.

Cheers
Chris
(from across the Tasman)

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Full set of the lads ready for coming together.

 

[Macca G]

Superb Mike, how you can get the fabric texture to blend in is awesome

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Wow, stunning, superb painting bring this chap to life, can't wait to see the whole lot together.
Regards

Superb final figure. Looking forward to seeing them all together.
Cheers,
Andrew

Thanks for supportive comments Bob & Andrew
I too am looking forward to bringing the guys together as one. I've actually got a sample of earth from Chunuk Bair which I plan to use in the basing. Not sure I'll get away with it in natural but will try, as well as grind it to use as a pastel to try & blend guys into the surface.

That's the plan any way

Stay safe & may 2016 be a good one for you both.

Mike

 

[tonydawe]

Mike

Now that all five figures are done, and you're in the process of putting them on the base I wanted to say that I Ive all five figures, but Old Harry is my favourite. This will be a magnificent tribute to the bravery of your countrymen.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

I have watched this develop to this point without commenting because I couldn't add anything new to the compliments of others.
I am keenly anticipating the final basing and presentation of the scene.
I hope you enjoy the finished result as much as we have had the pleasure of watching this SBS build.
Truly super stuff.
Paul.

I think Paul's comments express what we're all thinking about this amazing project.
This is artistry of the highest level.
Cheers
Huw

Hi Paul & Huw
Compliments of the season to each of you.

Value the feedback as mentioned I'm never quite sure what these will look like to others.
Photos can be a challenge getting colours & light right for 54mm too.

This has been a demanding project so far & expect base will be too. The compact fighting scene will take some planning to position without damaging paint so far.
Will share final base with the lads in coming month I hope

Stay safe
Mike

Stay safe
Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mike,
Excellent painting. This is a wonderful tribute to, which I presume is, the very gallant action fought by the Kiwi's on Chunuk Bair.
Cheers
Chris
(from across the Tasman)

Superb Mike, how you can get the fabric texture to blend in is awesome

Mike

Now that all five figures are done, and you're in the process of putting them on the base I wanted to say that I Ive all five figures, but Old Harry is my favourite. This will be a magnificent tribute to the bravery of your countrymen.

Hi Chris, Macca & Tony
Happy 2016 mates

Good to hear each of your thoughts. Thanks!
The more I learn about our ANZAC forebears the more I realise how blended they were
They could have been born in Blenheim, Balchutha, Ballarat, Bendigo or Birmingham.
However they all connected strongly with an independence of life downunder & still strong sense of duty to the Empire. We understand the former f'sure & I reckon have an affinity with "doing our bit" today too.

Neat to try & capture this event, with plans for many more ANZACs to come. Including a special duo I just got to commemorate Western Front sacrifice.

Just got a new camera so hope figures will work in high res - more to come...

Stay safe,
Mike

 

[Joe55]

The strokes and dabs of your brush lend a real lovely visual characteristic on each and every one of your pieces. It is your fingerprint, your signature. Like the others, I impatiently wait to see the final composition.

Joe

 

[marco55]

Good to see NZer's portrayed.Nothing against the Australians as I love the figures of them but they have dominated the figure ranges.
Mark

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

The strokes and dabs of your brush lend a real lovely visual characteristic on each and every one of your pieces. It is your fingerprint, your signature. Like the others, I impatiently wait to see the final composition.
Joe

Hi Joe
Happy New Year shortly
Nice comment mate as "stroking & dabbing" is my approach.
Will be fascinated with new camera to see what it reveals, could be scary!

Talk again on the other side I'm sure.

Stay safe,
Mike

Good to see NZer's portrayed.Nothing against the Australians as I love the figures of them but they have dominated the figure ranges.
Mark

Agree Mark & reason I'm so persistent in representing my forebears contribution.
Though small in numbers involved, they still played an important part.
Have you seen trailer for new film due next ANZAC Day.
Called "25 April":


Promises to be an interesting retelling of the story in the words of the guys that were there.
Again thanks for posting.

Stay safe,
Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi guys,

Mucking around with new camera.
Quick, rough shots all taken with auto setting, camera flash & nothing fancy.
Wanted to show some of the missing details my other cleaner, posed images leave out.
Massive magnification for these little 54mm figures too, not sure if it works.
Are these more helpful for giving you a feel for my approach & technique?

Please forgive untidiness of layout, figures are just bunched up on my display shelf awaiting basing.
Your thoughts?

Stay safe,
Mike

 

[Chrisr]

Marvellous painting Mike. You really bring out the grit and atmosphere of troops in dusty battle conditions. I see at least one is a Taranaki Coy man. Well done.

Cheers
Chris

 

[Viking Bob]

Excellent .

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Bringing the pieces together on this projects.
Have toned down "blood" effect on this as I fine tune the lads on their final resting place...

Your thoughts?

 

[peedee]

My thoughts started with 'kinell that's amazin' and a big exhale, and then I wish I could use that technique on something....and I will at some point.
Totally fantastic Mike.

Paul.

 

[Dan Morton]

Pyrotechnic! Inspirational! So much gritty realism on such small figures. Never seen better painting.

All the best,
Dan