Completed Critique Roman Legionary

[Andrew Craft]

Hi all,
This is my latest figure and the fourth in my collection, I think it's just about ready to be shelved. I tried to take on board all of the suggestions I recieved on my last bust, but I would like some more feedback as to what I need to work on most. I tried to be alot bolder with my highlights and shadows. I know the piece has been discussed alot and isn't very historically accurate but I really liked the pose. I did opt to paint the cape brown as I had read that purple was an expensive colour to create back in the day (hopefully brown fits a little better). All comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Andrew.

 

[kansas kid]

Hi Andrew:

I think from looking at the pictures, which for you, and all the rest of
us, is not the same as looking at the figure in real time, with the
numba One eyeball, that you've done rather well.

However, since you're new I will tell you that some of the forum poster on
PF who display pictures of their work, don't remember that I am an old
Jayhawker in Kansas. I don't remember so good like when I was young. So
when I look at your figure or a lot of the figures posted here, I don't know
what SCALE the figure is. And knowing the scale helps a great deal, as I see
it, to anyone viewing these pictures on PF. For example, I saw that close up
view of the face, and looked at how you did the eyes. But if I knew what
scale the figure is, I'd have a better idea of how to set my opinion as to how
I think you did.

It is rather hard for me to understand why we are not listing the scale of a
figure or bust each time images are posted. I'm sorry but I just can't
remember all the scales of figure that were released 6 months or a year
ago.

Wishing you well, Andrew and I hope you are enjoying this figure modeling
journey. As I see it from this old age, I think it is the journey that is
the main thing, not just the destination. Good luck,

The Miami Jayhawk

 

[Andrew Craft]

Oh sorry about that it's a 90mm figure.

 

[Ferris]

Hi Andrew,

First of all, welcome on PF!
Thanks for posting these pics as I've been having an eye on this figure for some time and am eager to see more of it. I think you did a very good job. The only thing to comment is what was already mentioned in your previous post: dare to increase the contrast a bit to bring in some more depth. And maybe put some paint on your base (it looks like raw stones/sand?).

So about the figure, how is it with respect to fit of parts, mold lines etc.?

Cheers,
Adrian

 

[Andrew Craft]

Hi Adrian,
Thanks for the feedback, the base is still just raw sand and stones thanks to my laziness, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it. As for the figure it was great, minimal cast lines and it fit together really well. It didn't take much time to clean it up at all.

 

[housecarl]

From what I can see the shield looks excellent, as does the rest. My only comment would be to add a wash of burnt umber and black to the metals, this would give them more definition.
Carl.

 

[megroot]

great paintwork,
could you make a picture of the shield??

Marc

 

[Andrew Craft]

The shield was something I really struggled with and was quietly hoping no one would ask to see it. I painted it by only drawing the outline then painting in the detail free hand. Probably not the best approach but I would love to hear how you more experienced people do it. (sorry about the pics they are from the camera on my phone)

 

[Meehan34]

That's the way you are supposed to do a sheild. There are some stencil products out there but I haven't had much luck with them but others with more patience have had tremondous luck with them. The shield looks great BTW. I would add some weathering to it and call it good.

 

[housecarl]

The shield looks excellent. After all it would have been mass produced, and hand painted. (guessing really.)
Carl.

 

[Andrew Craft]

Thanks guys, I think I'll use the apprentice shield painter had a go story. Trying the shield taught me alot and gave me some new ideas to try, and I guess that's what it's all about.

 

[Harry]

There's nothing at all wrong with the shield. I've seen full-sized reenactor's shields that aren't as well painted as that one! You also painted it with an authentic legionary shield blazon (which makes a change - it seems common to see weird, fantasy, "arty" things painted on model shields).

If you'd wanted to go for max realism, you could also have given the painted surface of the shield a slight glossy sheen. The originals were painted either in wax-based encaustics or with casein paints which most likely had a thin layer of protective wax on top of the casein. The shields were apparently most of the time covered in a leather envelope because of the fragility of the paint - so too much "weathering" would actually be incorrect.

 

[Martin Antonenko]

From my perspective, the shield-painting is okay and looks real.

These shields were not even painted in factories in accordance with industry standards, but most probably by the soldiers themselves and craftsmen in their behalf.

So it will not have been two shields that had absolutely exact a similar painting.

We must imagine Roman uniforms anyway as "similar but not identical", the same goes for weapons, armor and helmets.

Regards

 

[Jim Patrick]

Missed this earlier. Nice job on the painting . I also have had my eye on this figure for quite some time. How was the kit? Fitting, mold lines, clean up, etc. And your shield? Pretty darn good.

Jim Patrick

 

[SRP]

Shield looks good to me....but as Mike mentioned...a little bit of weathering and scuffs could make it look even better...well done.

 

[Ashen-Shurgar]

I think the figure looks good and think you did a great job on the shield. I am only new to miniature painting and am working on my first figure at the moment which is also a roman figure. What colors did you use on the shield?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Gellso]

The shield looks excellent. After all it would have been mass produced, and hand painted. (guessing really.)
Carl.

Come come Carl, surely you must have heard of the company which painted shields or (Scutums as they were called in 5 B.C.) They were a company which never used purple as it was too expensive.
Nor would they paint shields which were thicker than 1/1000 of a millimetre of historical correctness. They did however paint them if the greaves were held with the wrong size of washer and if the boss was slightly skewiff. They also did discounts for people who wore the wrong type of sandals for that year.
Hope this clears things up for you.
Best wishes,
Grant

I think the figure looks great and is an awesome sculpt.
you have done it justice with your painting. I would listen to Carl regarding the washes over the metals to give them depth and realism. He knows his onions.
Ta for sharing,
Grant

 

[Andrew Craft]

Hi guys thanks for the comments,
I was surprised to see this thread had been sparked up again.

Jim, the kit was great I didn't have much to clean up at all and all the pieces fit together well.

Mark, it was painted a while ago but from memory I used blood red for the background, amber gold for the decoration and golden blonde to put some of the lighter lines on the decorative work (all acrylic reaper paints).

Cheers,
Andrew.

 

[Blind Pew]

Andrew, if this is one of your first figures, we'd better worry!

You have already displayed a great potential in different aspects of figure painting that all point to some top stuff in the future.
thanks for sharing