WIP Mike's WW1 NZRB Lewis Gunner Bust in 1\6th

[kiwi45]

Excellent detailing Mike, love the webbing and the authentic ciggie.
Les

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Always worrying when a woman says its too small Mike
Steve

You got me Steve!
Was trying to word that in a way that didn't sound too confusing ;-)

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi Mike,
He is looking good.
I would have posted more comments but due to my wife and I separating.I'm now no longer in the family home and with it has gone my regular internet so untill get reestablished it'll be a little hit and miss.
Cheers
Chris

Goodness so sorry to hear this Chris & please mate no need to apologise for anything.
This is a tough time for you so do hope things work out.

We will still be here when you have time.

Stay safe,
Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Amazing work! Been watching this thread as I've always loved the Lewis - even have a life-size prop in my collection.

Me & you both mate!
However don't expect to start on Lewis Gun properly until November, will share progress then so please feel free to share any photos you have of colouring in meantime.
Thanks in advance
Mike

Hey Mike,..I think you have developed a "cult" following.......looking good.......Wayne

Hey Wayne, no idea what is happening here, guess folk are intrigued by thread.
Hopefully not hoping to see another car crash like the "neck" incident
Brass basecoating done last night. Shortly on to weather then getting pack & mug ready.

Excellent detailing Mike, love the webbing and the authentic ciggie.
Les

Hey Les, good to hear from you mate & value you comments on these details.
Thanks!

 

[Wayneb]

Well worth following Mike......Wayne

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

In the spirit of this this thread, here is a heart warming local animated short worth sharing:

http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/poppy-2009

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

An intermission post only, so move right along, nothing more to see here

These are last shots of Charlie In Progress for next couple of months probably
Sorry to those of you following this thread but I need to move onto some other commission work.

Although breaking my personal rule of one project at a time, commitments cannot be broken.
My next project looks upwards at Charlie in anticipation ;-)

Stay tuned...

 

[Wings5797]

Continues at the high standard of painting that you have atained throughout Mike.
Looks like the paint will get a chance to harden up.
Can hardly wait for your return.
All the best
Keith

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Continues at the high standard of painting that you have atained throughout Mike.
Looks like the paint will get a chance to harden up.
Can hardly wait for your return.
All the best
Keith

Nice to get comments again Keith.
Main "paint hardening" I'm after is loss white enamel on the mug.
Expect it to be gungey & probably not the sort of thing we'd want to drink out ;-)

Catch you in a month or two mate!

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Here's Charlie temporarily tucked away in display cabinet with his ANZAC mates...

 

[housecarl]

In the spirit of this this thread, here is a heart warming local animated short worth sharing:

http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/poppy-2009

View attachment 168566

Can only be viewed in NZ Mike, but it is available on Youtube.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Can only be viewed in NZ Mike, but it is available on Youtube.

Oh darn mate, that live action one is not as gritty as the animated special.
Here's official site so will give you a better feel for it:
http://www.poppyfilm.com

Based on a true story

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Continues at the high standard of painting that you have atained throughout Mike.
Looks like the paint will get a chance to harden up.
Can hardly wait for your return.
All the best
Keith

Hi Keith et al.

With commissions & a house move out of the way it's time to get back to Charlie.

To help get me in the mood & feel watched "The Trench" on way over to Thailand.
I found it a moving film with a genuine sense of what life would have been for young men on eve of the Somme.
Interesting to read director & writer William Boyd's thoughts on accuracy in war films:
http://www.williamboyd.co.uk/film-war-films

More when I get back home

Mike

 

[Steve Ski]

Gee Wiz, looks like a living museum ya got goin there mate. The uniform tones and coloration are incredible on all those figures, let alone the flesh work. It's a pleasure to look over your work buddy, and look over it again! Ruck On!

Cheers, Ski.

 

[Wayneb]

Still with ya Mike.......Wayne

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Gee Wiz, looks like a living museum ya got goin there mate. The uniform tones and coloration are incredible on all those figures, let alone the flesh work. It's a pleasure to look over your work buddy, and look over it again! Ruck On!

Cheers, Ski.

Thanks Ski, sadly all the lads are packed away now & the display case is gone
Part of the penalty of moving into a rental & awaiting building of a new home.

In meantime you may want to call by my virtual display cabinet in Albums here:
http://www.facebook.com/michaeljbutlerNZ

Note also couple of figures in back right corner are originals by Phil Walden - a legendary NZ, Australian based sculptor.
I plan to complete painting of the WW1 figure as part of my commemorative work this year.
It depicts Capt Phil Fry in 120mm
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/P10333227/collection-items/?Collection-Type=Photograph

Talk more later when I start him later next year.

Stay safe
Mike

 

[Steve Ski]

Beauty, thx for the link. I've already got your pics pegged to my bunker work bench railing for reference. A guy can learn a lot just from looking over your work, great inspiration Brother, great inspiration.

Good luck with the move and here's to hoping Maggila Gorilla doesn't toss about your model boxes in the process.

Cheers, Ski.

 

[Fransab]

Hi!
It isn´t a figure, it´s a picture of you, hahaha. Fantastic, incredible, perfect. Congratulations!!!

Regards,
Francisco

 

[Joe55]

New house huh. I'll bet that it will be built and centered around a grandiose figure studio!

Best of luck on this new episode in your life!

Joe

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Beauty, thx for the link. I've already got your pics pegged to my bunker work bench railing for reference. A guy can learn a lot just from looking over your work, great inspiration Brother, great inspiration.
Good luck with the move and here's to hoping Maggila Gorilla doesn't toss about your model boxes in the process.
Cheers, Ski.

New house huh. I'll bet that it will be built and centered around a grandiose figure studio!
Best of luck on this new episode in your life!
Joe

Jeez Ski & Joe I can never get over how kind & welcoming some folk are around the place.
Considering we've never met your comments are so kind & supportive.
First mice into rental accommodation went well although it is a much smaller home than we are used to, it is stil comfortable.
All lads survived move in reasonable form with only the odd scrape & bend.
Fortunately Charlie is a large block of resin kinda guy & still in progress so damage to him can be repaired.

First priority will be his gas mask & small pack.
I've fashioned an enamel mug out of the end of a Chapstick container with resin handle.
It's painted in Humbrol gloss white & has a blue oil painted lip roughly applied.
Looks the business, next trick is to secure it safely under the pack strap & weather it to show it's been well used for brews.

Oh well I can only dream of this as I while away the hours in Koh Samui
Son's wedding today so best get away & write my speech

Thanks again guys for taking time to post.

Mike