WIP Critique Stampede

[Martin64]

Apart from the general quality of the castings, ( all your work has clearly sorted those issues ) one of the other
things that put me off buying this one was the head - it was decidedly 'iffy' You mentioned in an earlier post that
you replaced it. With what I wonder ... something from another kit, or did you rustle one up (no pun intended)
from Milliput or something ?

Hi Fogie,
thanks for your interest - yes, I missed to be more specific about my conversion.
The head of the sculpt belies to some extend the fact that most of the cowboys were of younger age - the hardships of the cattle drive were not for old men of 40 years and more at that times. The diary of an "old" cowboy - Jack Bailey from Texas who took part in a cattle drive to Kansas in 1868 - tells that he was regarded as an old man amidst his fellow cowhands at the age of 37 years. He wrote that the other "boys" could have been his sons looking at their age!
Additionally the expression of the face does not fit to the situation the man is into IMHO - the genuine head seems to smile. If a stampede is happening and your left leg is about to get caught between your horse and a Longhorn the last thing you would do is smile I guess.
Last but not least the anatomy of the original head looks somewhat strange - the forehead disappeares into the hat at an angle that looks quite unnatural.
Still I want to add that this is just my impression about certain details and that the sculpt in total is a masterpiece I would not be able to "rustle up" by myself.

My solution was to wedge out the original head with a model saw and replace it with the reworked head of the kit below:
http://mercury-models.com/catalog/75mm/mm-7516roman-legionary
This head has a suitable dramatic expression and is exquisitely detailed - just look at the teeth - they are sculpted detail and therefore an easy paintjob!
I made a copy of the original head (as I want to use the genuine one with my Roman Legionary) ,filled the holes in it`s cheeks that are there to receive the wedges of the cheek plates of the Roman helmet, extended the forehead and added some hair with strands of A&B putty . Finally I adapted the hat by extending the rear of it`s volume slightly with putty.
In fact this conversion went unexpected fast and easy and is not difficult to pull off if somebody else is considering it.

Cheers, Martin

 

[fogie]

Thanks Martin. Converting a Roman Legionary to a youthful cattle drover ! Cor Blimey ! I was impressed by your work on the
overall finish of the castings - I'm even more impressed now ! Can't wait for the next instalment.

 

[Martin64]

Face nearly finished

pictures due to fading daylight a bit blurred

Cheers, Martin

 

[fogie]

Glad to see a man who wipes his brush tip on his thumb ... a true artist.

 

[Martin64]

Glad to see a man who wipes his brush tip on his thumb ... a true artist.

I will tell my wife that somebody else is glad about it - all efforts to offer me tissue paper etc. failed so far. I feel that I can control this way the best if the paint is sufficiently thinned down...a kind of body-painting while being involved in Modelling at the same time - could be seen as art.

 

[custer760]

Excellent painting and indeed sculpting,would love one of those heads if you made copies.....Bravo!!!really looking forward to this.You always were a great sculptor and painter,always remember the good old days at Kratz Modelshow.....great,take care my friend.
Regards
Pete

 

[Martin64]

Some finishing touches on the face and some - hopefully - better pics of the current status (just noticed an imperfection in the right corner of the mouth - will deal with it tomorrow - blown up pics are merciless)

 

[Martin64]

Excellent painting and indeed sculpting,would love one of those heads if you made copies.....Bravo!!!really looking forward to this.You always were a great sculptor and painter,always remember the good old days at Kratz Modelshow.....great,take care my friend.
Regards
Pete

Hi Pete,
yes the good ole days... thanks for the compliments. - The converted head is a one-off - the basic head was copied and I have three of my casts left. I would be willig to pass them on for free if another PF-member wants to give this conversion a try and if he/she will cover shipping - of course provided that Mercury Models is ok with that.
Cheers, Martin

 

[arj]

Well done with the face.
It has a very suitable expression of urgency.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Martin64]

small progress - I regard the face as finished - comments about visible flaws welcome

 

[housecarl]

Superb Martin.

 

[custer760]

Excellent painting Martin,this is developing very very good,Bravo
Regards
Pete

 

[clrsgt]

Superb start to this one; have to agree with Oda as well.

 

[Mike Stevens]

Very nice conversion and a nice start.

 

[Red Five]

Looking great.

Andrew.

 

[Steve Ski]

Lookin really good Martin. Must be a pain to get to the face with that horse in the way. Excellent work so far!

 

[chippy]

Just Brilliant , the face reflex a man how has a job to do and knows how to do it . This kit makes me think of all the brilliant sculptures by Fredrick Remington .
chippy

 

[Martin64]

Thanks everybody for the comments - internet was down for four days - so I am late in answering.

Lookin really good Martin. Must be a pain to get to the face with that horse in the way. Excellent work so far!

Hi Steve,
painting the face is not as hard as it might look from the pictures. Anyhow I will remove the rider from the saddle by removing the pin that connects him with the longhorn through his left leg before painting the clothing and gear.

Just Brilliant , the face reflex a man how has a job to do and knows how to do it . This kit makes me think of all the brilliant sculptures by Fredrick Remington .
chippy

Thanks chippy - I agree - Remington surely inspired the design of this brilliant scene.

 

[HansDig]

Carl Reid is, without a doubt, a great sculpter but I just inboxed his "Stampede" ( bought at Frank's Miniatures ) and after a first attempt to fit some parts my first impulse was to throw it in the garbage-bin.
I truly must say this is by far the worst casting I have ever seen !!! For those who love to sand, cut, drill, grind and use at least a pound of putty this is a great box.
For those who love to paint......better buy something else.
A sculpturers talent can, in my opinion, be competly ruined by its caster.In this case, it did.

 

[Viking Bob]

This is some undertaking. Looking good.