Completed Two Race Drivers

[nuvolari]

I've not posted much on this Forum. My main interest in modeling, is scratch building 1/32 pre war slot race cars. But these race cars also do need race drivers figures. Unfortunately Raddy out of the shelf figures for these models are not available. So redesigning figure soldiers is our only option.

In my last build the figures where very important.
The car that I build is a 1905 Darracq 200Hp speed record holder. This car was in 1905 the fastest transport on earth, faster than any train or airplane. It ran almost 200 Kmh and did speed trails in Europe and the USA.
The best matching figures I could find for the build where the WW1 English and German made by PJ Production. To paint them I've used the acrylic Andrea color system

The figures where altered to fit in the car, and here is the result.

If there are tips on what could be done better on the figures for future builds I'm always interested to hear.

For those interested in the car, this one is complete scratch build out of brass.
Here is an unpainted photo

Cheers,
Danny

 

[nuvolari]

Hallo is there anbody out there???

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Danny,
I think that everybody is at Euro Militaire.
You work here on this piece is incredible. The detail on the car is great along with the way you have hidden the electric motor.
Nice work.
Cheers,
Keith

 

[nuvolari]

Thanks Keith for replaying, I thought the plague broke out under the figure builders.
Thanks for you comment on the car, but the reason I put it here on this forum, is to see what you all think of the driving figures.
Are there things in particular on the figures, that could be done better, in the sense of painting , shadowing or posture?
Please let me know so I could improve next time if needed.

Thanks,
Danny

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Danny,
The figures are fine, in posture terms if I was to alter anything I would try to put a little more life/action into them to give a greater feeling of speed and daring. Try leaning them forward into thr wind and may be have the scarf flying out at the back . Take a look at some of the paintings of old racing cars, Michael Turner etc.
For painting of smaller figures you need to increase the contrast between highlight and shadow. Painting dark colours is always dificult. If you are not confident to to lay paint on as a highlight try this technique. paint on the darkest colour. In this case I would use a Paynes Grey or similar. I try never to use black straight from the tube. Then add a little colour to lighen it. White is an obvious choice but try yellows, ochers, browns , blues etc. and paint the colour almost out of your brush on to a piece of paper or similar then lightly brush it over the peaks of the clothing. The longer you do this the lighter the contrast. Then repeat the process adding a little more of the lightening colour you used but brush much more lightly with even less colour on your brush. This is only a simple way of getting a reasonable finish and I advise that you move on, as you improve, to painting on your base. highlight and shadow colours,
Hope that this is of some use to you and good luck with your modeling.
Cheers,
Keith

 

[Dan Morton]

Can't speak about the painting - not a painter. A fine bit of craftsmanship on the vehicle and the drivers, however.

Well done!

All the best,
Dan

 

[nuvolari]

Thanks Keith,

It's always interesting to hear a good view from others, I definitely will take your advice with me on my next build.

Cheers,
Danny