Sculpting & Painting a Prussian Jager

[Billhoran]

Good point, Bob. The basic concept is simple, but as with most things in this hobby, it takes some practice. A deep crease for the eyes is fine if the figure is squinting, but with most eyes, the opening needs to be very slight and subtle.

Bill

 

[Billhoran]

Painting is progressing - approximately 45% complete.

Bill

 

[garyjd]

Bill, A question regarding the battalion number on the shoulder strap. This is a period I'm studying and have limited knowledge of, but is the battalion number upside down? ~Gary

 

[Billhoran]

No, its right-side-up. The battalion number is taken from the below shoulder strap reference on kaiserbunker.com..

Bill

 

[garyjd]

That would be the 7th Battalion and not the 2nd?~Gary

 

[Billhoran]

I see what you mean. The "7" does look a bit like an upside down "2", but it is a "7". Below are some of the "2" straps worn...

Bill

 

[Patrick Kirk]

You aren't human, Bill...simply aren't human!

Incredible work at such a "manly scale" :lol:

Hope you plan on attending the Altanta show.

All the best

Patrick

 

[Larry R]

OK I gotta ask Bill. I have admired your work for years and since you have been on the planet I find it amazing and heartwarming that you share as much as you do (mark of a true master) but what I don't get is the incredible amount of sculpting, research, painting etc that you do in such a small amount of time. Please tell me you have a 9 to 5 job and you just don't sleep! How do you do it? What do you do exactly for a living? Thanks for humoring me!!

 

[Johan]

... Though I personally feel that 180mm is really a manly scale - have you seen those by Le Cimier etc., quite a sculpting effort - I sure do agree that your Prussian Jager is simply ... EXCELLENT !!!

There is something about your creations which takes them to the sublime, above anything else.

I recall when I took my dad to Euromilitaire, years ago; it was the year when your NY zouave standard bearer was on display. My father isn't in the hobby himself (but who knows, in the future maybe ?), and he had never heard of the name Bill Horan, but when I asked him which figures he liked best, he pointed out almost everything that you put on display; he said: "you can say what you want, but that guy sure can sculpt and paint a figure".
By the way: my dad usually has a somewhat similar reaction when one critisizes the legendary Belgian soccer player of the '60ies and '70ies, Paul Van Himst - something like, "Yeah, but at least he could play ball".

Keep them coming, Bill. Your work is an inspiration for all of us.

Best regards,

Johan

 

[Dan Morton]

WOW!

 

[frank h]

Thankyou so much Bill for sharing your talent with us
here on the Planet

The gems of information I have recieved in your replys
are invaluable, especialy the one on sculpting/painting eye detail

Once again thanks

Frank

 

[yeo_64]

AWESOME,Bill !! Thanks for sharing. Cheers !
Kenneth

 

[slaj]

Bill , this is truly a lecture in sculpting and painting. Thanks for sharing.

BTW you're on for the beers in Boston !! :lol:

Stephen Mallia

 

[Billhoran]

The following are the final step by step photos of the Jager. The first one shows tha basic terrain created from A & B putty with a twig and sand pressed into the putty with a rough stone

 

[Billhoran]

The basic terrain was painted with a Humbrol enamel paints (Leather 62 & Black).

 

[Billhoran]

A mixture of wet tea leaves, Basil and Hudson and Allen leaves were glued to the base...

 

[Billhoran]

The forest litter was painted with a combination of Leather, Red, Black and Burnt Umber oil color, and given a coat of semi-gloss to make it appear moist…

 

[Billhoran]

I next added a few azalea bush roots andsome bright purple dried flowers from a craft store (to be painted shortly!)…

 

[Billhoran]

I then painted these last few items, using the same basic pallette as the forest litter (the battle took place in the autumn), with some green leaves mixed in.

 

[Billhoran]

…and here are the photos of the finished figure…

Bill