WIP Critique Roman Cavalry Officer bust, Young Miniatures

[tonydawe]

Hi guys,

Here are the first pics of my latest project.

In respect to the debate/ argument about this bust on another thread, I'm trying to blend fantasy and history. I don't want to ignite the embers of that debate, but to illustrate how it doesn't matter if the final result is pleasing to me.

As a painter I have to paint what the sculptor sculpts, but the colours and textures are up to me. I'm painting my bust as a Praetorian officer.

I'm still applying base coats, but the face is 90% finished. Much of the face will be covered when the cheek guards are glued on the helmet.
Any suggestions from learned scholars and Romanholics are welcome.

As for the fusion of history and fantasy, I can live with it. It's a hobby and I love this bust.:awesome:

 

[Meehan34]

I'll be watching. I just got mine in the other day. It is sooo cool. I like the start and the blending of fantasy, so many people take it too seriously and forget that this is for fun.

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

That looks good Tony, will be interesting as a praetorian guard a chance for some dark colors possibly

 

[Steve]

Mike, you miss the point. For those of us who deal in history, research and completing a figure accurately IS fun.

 

[megroot]

Gonna follow this closely.
Very interest in the final result.

marc

 

[davidmitchell]

Looking good so far Tony, as to the debate if you like it thats what counts.I will be getting one of these in the near future.



Cheers David

 

[John Bowery]

Tony,
Looks good to me. It is a hobby for fun so good luck and forge ahead.
Cheers
John

 

[kagemusha]

Looking good Tony. Have this one on the bench myself and have to say its a gorgeous piece. For me it is about what I can achieve as a painter first and foremost.

Cheers

Ron

 

[rheath]

Tony,
Looks good to me. It is a hobby for fun so good luck and forge ahead.
Cheers
John

Good 'un John - there are plenty of "what if's" and fantasy, will be good to see it finished. The historically accurate figures are also important they account for the majority of the figures done by the chaps. Cheers.

 

[Andrew Craft]

Looks like a nice bust Tony, great details. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress.

 

[tonydawe]

Thanks to everyone for your responses and encouraging comments.

I haven't got any update pics for you at the moment but will take some tonight.

I've abandoned the idea of doing a Praetorian because I wanted to add more colour to the cloak and pteruges. I've chosen a burnt cadnium red colour for the cloak, and haven't settled on a final colour for the pteruges, although they will probably be some form of brown leather.

I've gone for a leather cuirass with bronze ornaments rather than a solid metal cuirass, which seemed rather impractical and uncomfortable for a cavalry officer to wear. I'll probably use the same leather with bronze style for the helmet.

While I'm conscious that the bust is not historically accurate, as a painter I can at least try to make the bust look "realistic".

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

I dont know about not being accurate! Romans loved a bit of theatre and
Im sure some uniforms were made especially for triumphs as sometimes it could take as long as five years after a victory to be awarded the sought after
glory of marching thru Rome with all your prisoners and spoils of war and
you had to have at least a million before you could even run for senate

 

[tonydawe]

Hi guys,

As promised, here are the latest WIP pics.

My progresss is very slow by my normal standards, but I'm in no hurry to finish at the moment. I'm enjoying the process of painting again.

 

[smudger1960]

Tony,i dont know the full story about this blog but what i will say is and i've said it before in some of my posts,if its good in yours eyes then thats all that matters,and as you rightly stated you can only paint whats put in front of you.
As you will know i love painting young's busts and i desperatley want this one but i still have another 4 young kits to paint up yet and i cant keep up with them,i'm saving the cash now for EURO MILITAIRE so i'll get it then.

You have made a great start and the flesh tones look great and i like the eyes as well,looking forward to following this one mate,thanks for posting.

Brian

 

[sarouman]

Good job my friend Tony
I expect the final result!!!

Alexandros

 

[Marcel]

Great start Tony!
Looking forward to see some more work done.

Cheers,
Marcel.

 

[Showlen]

This looks great Tony! Thanks for sharing.

Are you painting with acrylics or oils?

-Ronnie W.

 

[tonydawe]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your comments and your patience. I'm chipping away slowly every night.

Still base coating some parts and progressively building up contrast and blending transition zones to achieve a smooth finish.

Vallejo acrylics Ronnie

Here are the latest WIP pics. Comments welcome

 

[tonydawe]

Latest WIP pics.

 

[jcichon]

I think it good great. I had the same problem on a warhammer space marine I had painted and a guy busted on me about the color of his tabberd, that is was supposed to be yellow and not red. I wanted to ask him how many space marines he had met but I decided to refrain. I paint because I love it.