Wee Friends Coppergate Saxon Bust

[Peter Day]

This is my latest repaint, Wee Friends' (Friendship Models) 1/6 Coppergate Saxon bust, based on the famous helmet unearthed in York, one of the most complete and best preserved ever found:



There is some debate as to whether the iron parts would have been polished or not, but most reproductions show a shiny, steel-like finish.

I first painted it about four years ago and felt it was high time I had another go at it. After a bath of Cif Power Shine, which took a while as it's a big lump of resin, it was ready to go. I concentrated particularly on trying to improve the face and the cloak; the latter had been painted with too great a range of tones before, and I've since realised that less is more with some larger scale figures.

All pigments used were Vallejo Model Colour acrylics. The steel parts were painted with Natural Steel, highlighted with Silver over a black base. The bronze/gold was done with Bronze, Old Gold and Gold over a black brown base. The colours used for the cloak were Deep Green and Emerald Green.

 

[callmehobbes]

Very nice. Your metallics look so much better than mine. I should finish this one one day.

 

[MoboSchreuder]

Beautiful paintwork

Mobo

 

[Merryweather]

OOh that's NICE!

 

[callmehobbes]

Were you tempted to do a pattern on the cloak? I wanted to but felt a bit intimidated by the expanse of fabric.

 

[KenBoyle]

Beautiful work Peter!

Cheers,
Ken

 

[Graham]

Very well painted, love those ‘don’t mess with me eyes’

 

[Peter Day]

Many thanks for looking in chaps.

Paul - I didn't ever think of painting a pattern on the cloak as it's not something you really associate with the Saxons - more of an earlier Celtic thing. I think it would be difficult to do so as the folds are a bit loose and undefined.

 

[misfit151]

Splendid painting Peter..... you're right less is more..... Mike

 

[Nap]

Hi Peter

A lovely bit of painting , metallics and the cloak colour very vibrant

I do like the way your fiesh highs turnout

Another good time with the brush

Here's to the next

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Peter Day]

Mike - Thank you.

Nap - Thanks also. A very nice bust to paint with a lot of detail to play with.

 

[davidmitchell]

Very nice work Peter, painted this one a few years back for the box art.

 

[Peter Day]

Hi David - I've seen the thread you did at the time - an impossible act to follow. Glad you like my version - I'm humbled.

 

[Noel Walker]

Really nice work

 

[Stephen Hutchinson]

Morning Peter

Another cracker, great metal work as ever and lovely work on the cloak too.

Another auburn beard, your favourite?

Was this a new piece or a re work?

Perhaps you might try the Hector bust again, one day?

Looking forward to your next piece, you really are on a winning streak at the moment.

Well done

Have a good day with your next victim

Regards

Steve H

 

[Peter Day]

Noel - Many thanks.

Steve - Morning. This was a complete repaint. I hadn't done a redhead for a while so felt it was time - suits the pale complexion too. Hector was binned at the time I attempted him I'm afraid - not his fault, but one I couldn't get to grips with. No painting today, as off to Folkestone for a Covid jab - hooray!

 

[Warren SMITH]

Lovely work Peter...

 

[Peter Day]

Many thanks Warren.

 

[Chiariello]

Hello, thank you because you have made a remarkable piece, it is not easy to paint a bust in that scale, the gold / bronze color is very beautiful.

 

[Peter Day]

Many thanks indeed for your kind words Pier - very much appreciated. There is certainly nowhere to hide at this scale, but it was a very nice bust to paint. I particularly enjoy painting with metallic pigments = haven't attempted NMM yet.