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

[Joe55]

Like the shot of your work area Mike. Its a little view of your passions.

Joe

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Like the shot of your work area Mike. Its a little view of your passions.
Joe

Well spotted Joe
Also hints at some of clutter in a creative mind, rather than the precise, clinical completer I'd like to be sometimes ;-)

Stay safe
Mike

PS planning on Life Bust as next project as part of 3 little Kiwi pilot series

 

[bistray]

Nothing wrong with clutter Mike, as someone once said "If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, whats an empty one"

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Nothing wrong with clutter Mike, as someone once said "If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, whats an empty one"

Nice mate
My saving grace is I now only work on painting one project at a time.
This helps both completion & focus some how...

 

[kiwi45]

Nice mate
My saving grace is I now only work on painting one project at a time.
This helps both completion & focus some how...

Mike, how are you able to do just one project at a time? I've got at least 6 that I can see on the desk at the moment, not including some started and put back in their box lol. I get bored just concentrating on just the one, probably why my output has plummeted.
Cheers Les

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mike, how are you able to do just one project at a time? I've got at least 6 that I can see on the desk at the moment, not including some started and put back in their box lol. I get bored just concentrating on just the one, probably why my output has plummeted.
Cheers Les

Hi Les

With a project this size always plenty of bits to maintain interest.
Including adding detail, converting parts etc

Little guys take 2-3weeks to paint so don't lose interest on those either
Cleanup is actually what I don't enjoy as much nowadays, just seems like work I don't need...

Stay safe
Mike

PS never thought I'd be happy to see Crusaders win ;-)

 

[kiwi45]

Yes a great game, the rugby is what stops my modelling, as is usual a beer always goes with it so no painting at all Fri/Sat/Sun. Whats happened to your Chiefs?

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Yes a great game, the rugby is what stops my modelling, as is usual a beer always goes with it so no painting at all Fri/Sat/Sun. Whats happened to your Chiefs?

Still in with a chance mate, heading up there next weekend.
Just starting on helmet & recall your comment on Maori dude so will work on it to get a decent grungy look as I weather it up.

Till next time
Mike

 

[RFL]

Mike, thanks very much for the detailed answer ( with pics !: ) issues I run into with the miniature hobby paints is pigment separation in extreme thinning as your doing for glazes. I`ll try the Jo Sonia if it works OK for you ?

 

[kiwi45]

Still in with a chance mate, heading up there next weekend.
Just starting on helmet & recall your comment on Maori dude so will work on it to get a decent grungy look as I weather it up.

Till next time
Mike

Look forward to seeing that detail, will be hoping your boys deal to the Blues. we going to the Crusaders v Highlanders game, should be fun, about 25 of us going as a group... Les

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mike, thanks very much for the detailed answer ( with pics !: ) issues I run into with the miniature hobby paints is pigment separation in extreme thinning as your doing for glazes. I`ll try the Jo Sonia if it works OK for you ?

Hi Richard,

Definitely recommend Jo Sonja, never had an issue with pigment separation.
With regards glazes I find Vallejo Glazing medium or Winsor & Newton watercolour Blending Medium both useful to help me thin most acrylics. Have you tried either of these?

Useful?

Mike

 

[RFL]

Hi Richard,

Definitely recommend Jo Sonja, never had an issue with pigment separation.
With regards glazes I find Vallejo Glazing medium or Winsor & Newton watercolour Blending Medium both useful to help me thin most acrylics. Have you tried either of these?

Useful?

Mike

Exactly what I needed to know Mike, I`ll try the glazing & blending mediums, with the Jo Sonja both new are to me , thanks for you kind help.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

A couple of shots of Charlie, now his head & helmet is done...

Thoughts please?

​

 

[Ulrich]

Wow. Nothing more to say because all was said before. Only one question: Is the position of the head correct? For me it looks a little bit wrong

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Wow. Nothing more to say because all was said before. Only one question: Is the position of the head correct? For me it looks a little bit wrong

Hi Ulrich,

Thanks for comment.
Hopefully head will look OK as rest of figure is painted.
He has a twisted collar that may confuse, let's see next stage

Mike

 

[bonehead]

Wow Mike, The painting is really outstanding! I would call it "unreal" but, in fact, it is quite realistic!

I have to agree with Ulrich though: the head and neck look unnatural the way they are posed. The neck seems too upright and the head twisted at an awkward angle. You might be able to do this, but it would be horribly uncomfortable. Perhaps a little twist back toward center (straight ahead) would help. Check the figure's adam's apple. This should always be in the the center right above the gap between the clavicle bones. It is the one part of the neck that does not move. The other thing that would help is to drop the head forward a bit more toward the front opening of his collar. The neck SHOULD angle forward from the top of the torso. The way the figure has it so stiffly upright just looks wrong.

It would be a shame for such masterful painting to be spoiled by faulty assembly - or perhaps, an easily alleviated anatomical hiccup on the part for the sculptor....

Keep up the good work!

Cheers!!

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Wow Mike, The painting is really outstanding! I would call it "unreal" but, in fact, it is quite realistic!

I have to agree with Ulrich though: the head and neck look unnatural the way they are posed. The neck seems too upright and the head twisted at an awkward angle. You might be able to do this, but it would be horribly uncomfortable. Perhaps a little twist back toward center (straight ahead) would help. Check the figure's adam's apple. This should always be in the the center right above the gap between the clavicle bones. It is the one part of the neck that does not move. The other thing that would help is to drop the head forward a bit more toward the front opening of his collar. The neck SHOULD angle forward from the top of the torso. The way the figure has it so stiffly upright just looks wrong.

It would be a shame for such masterful painting to be spoiled by faulty assembly - or perhaps, an easily alleviated anatomical hiccup on the part for the sculptor....

Keep up the good work!

Cheers!!

Mike

Hi Mike

Thanks heaps for the feedback on painting.

Tips on anatomy are also valued & totally my doing as I wanted to try to capture a specific look with "Charlie".
Many hours of repositioning, carving & filling to get to hear - now it's painted :-(
Not at all sure what I'll do now, have to ponder this & you advice today as fixing this will cause massive grief.
My mate John B had hinted at this earlier but I didn't understand.
Your detailed explanation challenges me to reconsider.

Also your description is exactly as original bust is provided.
My intention was to show this side view to allow full profile of Lewis Gun to be visible as in photo below.

Oh well we live & learn ;-)
Let's see what can be done.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Stay safe
Mike

PS here a shot to show relative scale of this little guy

 

[housecarl]

Stunning Mike, hope you can reposition the head without too much drama.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Wow. Nothing more to say because all was said before. Only one question: Is the position of the head correct? For me it looks a little bit wrong

Wow Mike, The painting is really outstanding! I would call it "unreal" but, in fact, it is quite realistic!

I have to agree with Ulrich though: the head and neck look unnatural the way they are posed. The neck seems too upright and the head twisted at an awkward angle. You might be able to do this, but it would be horribly uncomfortable. Perhaps a little twist back toward center (straight ahead) would help. Check the figure's adam's apple. This should always be in the the center right above the gap between the clavicle bones. It is the one part of the neck that does not move. The other thing that would help is to drop the head forward a bit more toward the front opening of his collar. The neck SHOULD angle forward from the top of the torso. The way the figure has it so stiffly upright just looks wrong.
It would be a shame for such masterful painting to be spoiled by faulty assembly - or perhaps, an easily alleviated anatomical hiccup on the part for the sculptor....
Keep up the good work! Cheers!! Mike

Hi Ulrich & Mike,

Thanks to both of you again for taking time to point out possible issue with "look" of this fellow.
I've decided that with time constraints I'm under & amount of work involved to correct this, including extensive repainting of face, that it's not possible to resculpt as you recommend. This is a gutting decision for me as I value your opinions highly.

I know if Charlie project wasn't so large & work involved after face paint so much I would not have hesitated to correct it.
Weak reasons but I'll have to live with my demons, trust you can forgive me ;-)

Went with Charlie pose after lots of posing in front of bathroom mirror & consideration of 28lb Lewis on his shoulder, hoping this will help overall composition.
It remains to be seen...

Here's a front on comparison Mike to show effort to get neck & Adam's Apple in correct place - sounds like I fluffed it :-(

Oh Darn!
Life goes on.

Your appreciative mate,
Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Stunning Mike, hope you can reposition the head without too much drama.

Thanks Carl, can't see head reposition happening sadly (see post above) - though I dearly wish it could :-(
Lesson learnt.

Mike