Completed Mike's Aussie Bren Gunner

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi Mike!

Wonderful work all around.
The weathering is spot on and the fleshtones specialy the left hand are amzing.WOW!

Pedro

Hi Pedro, took a while to do that hand! Actually he has a large contusion & bruise on top of it, so probably in some pain as well. Hopefully this has come off too.

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mike,
Fantastic paint work.I prefer the darker background and the light on the bust gives it a sheen which breathes more life to an already vivid piece.
Im a proud of the work Mikes done.
Cheers
Andy

Your endorsement is the most important to me Andy & hoping you will be happy when you see him in a couple of weeks. Actually lots of sheen on skin of this guy as I have moistened his skin to try & show sweat beads from forehead & forearms. Trust these effects all work for you too.

Blue background was much clearer but personally prefer dark backgrounds as well.

Stay safe,

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mike, this is Absolutely Stunning mate, look forward to seeing this in the coming weeks in Brisbane(?) well actually all of your work that your taking. Andy will be well plesed with this. Ive just bought his 150mm NZ 30cal gunner and am looking forward to having a crack at it after Brisbane.
Cheers Les

So looking forward to the trip Les, will have a couple of oldies with me plus some of the newer ones I've done since we were in Wellington. I'll be looking forward to seeing your work as well & discussing some of those creative busts you've done.

Will be interested to see what Andy's 30cal gunner looks like too.

See you soon.
Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Stunning paintwork Mike.The Bren Gun looks fantastic. You have taken this one to a new level of realism.well done .Looking forward to seeing what you come up with next.

Thanks Neil, hopefully will have chance to catch up in Auckland at some stage in future.
Bren Gun is painted with Gunze Sanyo metal lacquers, plus oils, acrylics, pencil & acrylic texture past. You know me lots going on here with mixed media glad it looks OK.
By the way, had small hiccup with this as I was prepping for photos
He fell forward & snapped magazine off Bren so will have some minor touch ups to be done around base of this.

Writing this from my sick couch at present, laid up with a bad cold, even though I got a flu shot ;-)
So pleased finished this & no pressing project until show in couple of weeks. Just packing my bits & pieces, adding to bases, sticking on nameplates & signing this one. Then should be all set.

Stay safe mate,
Mike

P.S. What's your latest work?

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Thanks again Adrian, as well as Keith, Carl, Bagelman & Mike G, plus Mario, Marc, Kreston, John.
Each of your comments helps spur us for the next challenge.
Thank you for taking time to post on this thread.

 

[Helm]

Belter of a job looks like a photo loving all the little details in this one

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Hello Mike, Excellent painting on an excellent bust by Andy. I think you have raised the bar and set a new standard in the way hot weather subjects should be painted in the future. Very realistic work Mike. Regards, SG

 

[Mark S]

Brilliant work on a great bust.
Beautifully painted, great attention to detail, I reckon the darker background works better.

 

[Gellso]

Brillaint work Mike. Very original painting with stunning effects.

 

[Stephan]

wow very impressive.

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

Fantastic paint work Mike which paint dare I ask

Ron

 

[montythefirst]

great work !!!!

 

[fanai]

Mike looking forward to seeing you and your pieces over the weekend - looks to be a very special time for us figure painters
There is going to be a lot of " Talent" in Brisbane
and Congrad on winning the 'big ' mug again (darn darn darn)

 

[tonydawe]

Fantastic work Mike. You've certainly brought this bust to life and given it personality and context. He looks suitably weather beaten and exhausted. Congratulations.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mike looking forward to seeing you and your pieces over the weekend - looks to be a very special time for us figure painters
There is going to be a lot of " Talent" in Brisbane
and Congrad on winning the 'big ' mug again (darn darn darn)

Hi Ian, looking forward to show alright, will be good to see & meet lots of other figure modellers.
Haven't seen many for years, always good to learn approaches by others.

Appreciate your support & see you soon.

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Thanks for positive support Helm & Mark, liked trying to get details worked out on this.


SG. too kind mate & glad the "wet shirt" look seems to come off in the photos. Not so sure it as convincing in reality, will have to see what Aussies think.

Mark get your point on dark background, will stick to this.

Gellso, Stephan, Monty, guys good to get your feedback on this bust. It was an interesting project.

Ron - thanx, it's painted with acrylics, oils & lacquers.

Tony glad it has come "alive" for you & he is representative of these brave young men.

 

[Jeff T]

Jeez that is good!

Awesome work Mike, probably the most realistic painting of a figure I have seen.

Superb!

Cheer's,
Jeff.

 

[Jimbo]

Looks really good Mike, great paint job on a very nice bust, He looks like he's really been out there in the jungle.
Cheers
Jim

 

[John Belcher]

Mike,you want to be proud of this piece of art. Mate you have done a exceptional job here.I am so looking forward to see him at The QMHE Show in Brisbane Australia 8th and 9th of September.Looking forward to catch with you Mike.

Kind Regards,John

 

[dinovision79]

Looks great Mike! Very lifelike down to the small details, also a nice sculpt!
Denes