Completed Mike's Athenian Hoplite

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mitsutaka, Carl, Marcin, Tony, Michael, Maurizio, Giorgio.

Hi guys,

Am grateful for you kind praise & that you enjoyed looking at this piece.
It is nice to know others appreciate your work, hopefully it inspires others to give this wonderful bust a try out. As I haven't seen any other painted examples & there aren't any in Young's Gallery yet either.

Take care,

Mike

 

[bonehead]

Mike,

Look at those red crazy eyes. It looks like that guy has been smoking some serious chronic! That would also explain the shiny drool on his lower lip.....

But seriously, dude, excellent paint work!

Mike, not a Kiwi

 

[davidmitchell]

Superb painting Mike on this wonderful bust, everything about it is fantastic.


Cheers David

 

[rej]

Hiya mate how are you?

This is definitely impressive painting to say the least!!! Bravo!!!!!

I haven't visited MedRom lately as I am engrossed with the Piper to get him ready for the WNT2010 so try to find a way to forgive me for having MISSED this gem on your home site

Ray

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mike, Dave & Ray.

Guys high praise & feedback most appreciated from each of you. You've all inspired me along the journey & to hear from you is extra special.

Take care,

Mike

 

[Meehan34]

Michael: I forgot to ask if you painted him with acrylics. I am bouncing back and forth between oils and acrylic and can't decide which I like best. i am seeing some really wonderful acrylic painters out there mostly the very talented painter of this box. Again superb work on this bust.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Michael: I forgot to ask if you painted him with acrylics. I am bouncing back and forth between oils and acrylic and can't decide which I like best. i am seeing some really wonderful acrylic painters out there mostly the very talented painter of this box. Again superb work on this bust.

Mike, I'm a mixed media guy opting for all sorts of mediums in my work depending upon the type of effect I'm trying to achieve.

This bust includes final finishes with oils (cuirass, crest ~4 brands), acrylics (Flesh, detail & tunic ~ 6 different brands), lacquer (helmet), printers inks (scale armour), Gloss enamels based varnish.

I'd suggest seeing what works for you & continually experimenting with others mediums, brands etc. Only you will know what you think is best for the style & 'look' you are after.

Does this help?

Mike

 

[Marcel]

Beautiful paintjob Mike!

Cheers,
Marcel.

 

[mil-mart]

Mike, excellent painting all round but those eyes, Wow simply stunning.

Cheers Ken

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Marcel & Ken, thanks guys, I gotta admit I'm quite taken back by the amount of comment on this chap's eyes. I wasn't at all sure they worked with the expression on the face. Goes to show you cannot always appreciate how others see your work.

Here's a large shot I've shared on Timelines for those who haven't yet seen it.

 

[Meehan34]

Thanks for the close up, I was really wanting to see the details more. I have to say I really like the checks and the choice of orange. The eyes are really incredible and I hope you share more of your work. I decided to go ahead and paint this bust (even after seeing yours) and have your version front and center to help me while painting. I still think my quilting may be a good idea.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Feel free to study the SBS for more ideas & happy to help where I can Mike.

The quilting was a real toughie as initially I planned to paint it in acrylics, but was unhappy with the results & went back to an old white oil painting technique I learnt from Derek Hansen's articles back in the 80's.

Look forward to hearing & seeing how this goes. Feel free to share your work on MedRom too if you like.

Mike

 

[Meehan34]

Mike; What did you do on the sheild? I am thinking about not using it as I think it detracts from the bust. Let me know your thoughts.

P.S, Where did that rope come from? My kit doesn't have it. i assume you just added it, nice touch if you did.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi Mike,

Just found your note. I didn't use the shield & the sword sling came from an old piece of Tamiya thread provided in their kits to represent steel cable. It worked nicely but is all gone now.

Take care,

Mike