Viking at Stamford Bridge , 1066 (RP Models)

[arj]

Following my recent excursion into the depths of my GA box of very old and OOP figures by Mokarex and Historesine, I felt it was time to attempt a more current production.

A few weeks ago I bought a couple of RP Models busts (from El Greco), namely a Viking and a 14th Century Knight.
This is my attempt at the Viking. The parts fitted together very well and allowed me to paint items separately before final assembly. The only items I had to modify slightly were the sleeves to ensure the arms fitted right in (this could well have been necessitated by my cack-handedness with the original fitting).

Painting was my usual oils over enamels/acrylics and printers inks for the bright metals.



Before I dulled down the chainmail and added the eye guard, I photographed the head:-

(Click on images for a larger view)

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[dmcHobbes]

Beautiful job all around! Especially like all the leather painting. I got the Harold Hardrada bust from RP and intend to refer back to this, if and when I ever get up the nerve to actually paint it. I would love to know how you painted the leather.

Doug

 

[Egg]

Nicely done!

 

[MoboSchreuder]

Beautiful paintwork

Mobo

 

[Nap]

Hi Andrew

Good to see what you’ve been working on , do like leatherwork on this , like the fact you’ve kept the shield design simple

Thanks for sharing

Why not support the competitions see link below

Look forward to seeing more

Have fun @ the bench

Nap

 

[NigelR]

That's turned out really well Andrew, I too like the leather work and the way you painted the expression is very effective, it really suits the figure. I'll look forward to seeing this in the flesh somewhere.....

 

[clubcat]

Beautiful work Andrew. Especially like how you've done the leather and armour.
Melanie

 

[arj]

Beautiful job all around! Especially like all the leather painting. I got the Harold Hardrada bust from RP and intend to refer back to this, if and when I ever get up the nerve to actually paint it. I would love to know how you painted the leather.

Doug

Hi Doug,

Thank you for your kind comment.

Many years ago I read (in Mil. Mod., I think) an article by Max Longhurst on painting horses, which was base-coating in enamels, then overcoating in oil paint, and finally removing the oil paint gently with a natural sponge.
I tried his method and found it knocked my previous attempts into touch, and was hooked.
I then thought of trying it for clothing, but wasn't too sure what results I'd get, so I prepared this chart to give me a rough idea of what to expect:-

(click on image for a larger view)

The Humbrol paints are horizontal, and oil paints vertical, with various sponging/brushing effects to maximise my choices of application.
The chart is now around 40 years old, but I sometimes still have a quick look, but generally just go with the flow and see where it takes me.
W.r.t. to the leather on the Viking, I painted a light enamel colour (probably a cream of some sort) and, once thoroughly dry, overpainted with a Burnt Umber oil and gently sponged it off (keep cleaning the sponge on a dry cloth).
The light colour gets a slight stain from the darker oil paint and comes up as a natural highlight, while the oil paint congregates in the creases for shadows.
If too much oil paint comes off, you can dab it back with the sponge. Once you're happy with the result, leave it for a few days to set fully.
Mine came out a little bit too shiny, so I overcoated it with Testors Dullcote. The Dullcote can be a tad aggressive when brushed, so I sometimes mix it 50/50 with distilled Turps to calm it down. (other matting agents are available)

Have a go with some colour combinations and see what you get.

I look forward to seeing your Harold Hardrada in due course.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[arj]

Nicely done!

Beautiful paintwork

Mobo

Chas, Mobo.

Thank you for your kind comments.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[arj]

Hi Andrew

Good to see what you’ve been working on , do like leatherwork on this , like the fact you’ve kept the shield design simple

Thanks for sharing

Look forward to seeing more

Have fun @ the bench

Nap

Hi Kevin,

Thank you for your kind comments.
I do enjoy tinkering with leather effects, and the sponge is an excellent tool.
I'm pleased you liked the shield. Sometimes simplicity is more effective (it's also easier on my shaky hand).

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[arj]

That's turned out really well Andrew, I too like the leather work and the way you painted the expression is very effective, it really suits the figure. I'll look forward to seeing this in the flesh somewhere.....

Hi Nigel.

I'm pleased you like how this one turned out.
I'm not sure which shows the Club is attending, but we'll be at Bugle Call.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[arj]

Beautiful work Andrew. Especially like how you've done the leather and armour.
Melanie

Hi Melanie,

Many thanks for your kind comments.
I've covered the leather above, but the helmet finish is thanks to Brian Snaddon's method which can be found HERE.
I just use some soft toilet paper to take-off the oils.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Briggsy]

Really nice, the last horse I painted I used the sponge removal.method which is how I originally learnt how to paint them in the 80's. It's a good method but in 54mm never even considered it for leather clothing but wow it works really well.

Cheers Simon

 

[Redcap]

A brilliant all round paint and finish - tremendous!
Gary

 

[dmcHobbes]

Andrew,
Thanks for the leather info.

Doug

 

[MalcC]

Nice work, the leather is very realistic.

Malc

 

[arj]

Really nice, the last horse I painted I used the sponge removal.method which is how I originally learnt how to paint them in the 80's. It's a good method but in 54mm never even considered it for leather clothing but wow it works really well.

Cheers Simon

Thank you Simon.
I'm pleased you've found a new method for 54mm figures.
I use it a lot for all scales. It's also good for say corduroy trousers etc, ... enamel, followed by oil and dry clean brush strokes straight down.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[arj]

A brilliant all round paint and finish - tremendous!
Gary

Many thanks for your kind comment Gary.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[arj]

Nice work, the leather is very realistic.

Malc

Thank you Malc.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Steve Ski]

This looks really good, Arj, love the leather works.