unnoticed departure Bryan Fosten RIP

[akaryu]

Hello fellow Planeteers,

On Osprey Publishing's website I learned of the passing of Bryan Fosten, aged 92. Some of us may be old enough to remember his splendid illustrations in Military Modelling when that magazine was our main source of information.

Pierre

 

[Banjer]

Sad news but he lived to a ripe old age. I remember his illustrations well. Was it Bryan who did the Stan Catchpole cartoons?

RIP

Bill

 

[Merryweather]

Sad news but he lived to a ripe old age. I remember his illustrations well. Was it Bryan who did the Stan Catchpole cartoons?

RIP

Bill

It certainly was and I still use his Military Modelling guide to this day

not to mention his wonderful Thin Red Line book, amongst others.
sadly missed
Neil

 

[Airkid]

His neat, clear style of illustration was meat and drink to us figure modellers - everything well researched and a "go to" for anything British Army. Sad news indeed.

Phil

 

[lightbob]

Very sad to learn about the above. I can well remember Bryan's work in Military Modelling, copies of which are still in a
walk in cupboard in the house, that my wife would like cleared out. However, as with Merryweather still a source of tips and ideas. Plus off course nostalgia, just ask Mirof about that area.
Am I correct in thinking DSV Fosten were brothers?
Just spotted a dealer has a copy of -Thin Red Line : Uniforms British Army between 1751 -1914. Might be tempted.

 

[Graham]

Sadly I am ignorant of the history of our hobby and the characters from it. However this sad news struck home when I looked on my meagre book shelf and saw his name on the copy of The Thin Red Line I own.

 

[akaryu]

Donald and Bryan were brothers indeed and worked together.
The Thin Red Line was a landmark when published and Bryan later illustrated "Waterloo Men" in the same series, but written by Haythorntwaite.
Bryan's work for Osprey Men-at-Arms is almost endless.

 

[Merryweather]

Bryan also did the modelmaking illustrations (not the uniform plates) for the Historex range of figures(us oldies will remember....)

 

[arj]

Sad news indeed.
His artwork is superb, and I still a have a photo copy set of the Stan Catchpol articles from MM.
For anyone not aware of these, this site has a small selection of fifteen pages:-
https://monlegionnaire.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/modelling-tips-from-campaigns-magazine/
Apparently, these are from Campaigns Magazine, which ran only 15 articles.
Pity the person did not read MM.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Mirofsoft]

Osprey obituary to Bryan
https://ospreypublishing.com/blog/Obituary_for_Bryan_Fosten/
remembering things like :
http://balaclavabuild.blogspot.com/2012/07/review-into-valley-of-death-by-mollo.html

With his fabulous work, he will lives for centuries

 

[Nap]

His neat, clear style of illustration was meat and drink to us figure modellers - everything well researched and a "go to" for anything British Army. Sad news indeed.

Phil

You hit the nail on the head there ....a must for bookshelves

RIP Mr Fosten

Nap

 

[Chris Oldfield]

RIP Mr Fosten. I never had the privilege of meeting him, but quite a few of his Osprey works are on my bookshelf, & his artwork will live forever.

 

[Airkid]

Bryan's soldiers were always clean-cut, rosy cheeked individuals. His uniform details were superlative. Another icon of the art of uniformology gone, along with Ron Embleton, Angus McBride, Rick Scollins, Mike Chappell and others I can't bring to mind at the moment. All of them had an influence on our painting and sculpting. Anno Domini eh?

Phil

 

[Blind Pew]

RIP Bryan. I continue to consult his works, and will doubtless still do so for many years to come. A giant in the world of historical military art.

 

[Viking Bob]

Saddened by the loss to the military history and art side of our hobby, I met him a few times at the London meetings of the BMSS. Always willing to part with his knowledge. Like BP I have some of his work which I use as reference.
RIP Bryan.

 

[OldTaff]

A sad loss to the world, indeed...I heard of his passing from John Regan, another old modeller from way back. Bryan, and brother Don were fine military artists and researchers, colluding with Bob Marrion on many projects. Bryan nicked a number of "Stan Catchpol" ideas from us all back then, and it was treated with a lot of ribbing and laughs. Had some high old times at BMSS dinners, where several libations lubricated the proceedings. Great memories for me,at least.

Alan

 

[fogie]

Very few illustrators have touched the lives of so many military modellers. Both Bryan and Don Fosten
will be celebrated for generations to come for their wonderful and inspirational work.

Mike

 

[Ronaldo]

Was it not the same man who done all the pen and ink stuff for the Historex Catalog with the illustrations being absolutely superb re
saddlery halters shabraque etc , just checked yes it was ,an absolute must for the Nap fan.

 

[red tom]

Bryan and brother Don were the sons of the model for the driver figure on the Royal Artillery War Memorial. I seem to remember reading that his mother was a Royal embroiderer. I once challenged Bryan on one of his paintings at an exhibition in London's Victory Club. Obviously I was wrong, I felt a right idiot.