Where it all began - My first figures, seriously...

[NickM]

Great thread, Mike!
Back in early 2000's I had a conversation with a very good friend about his hobby. He was a collector and a painter too. I remember looking at his stuff and I was hooked. He showed me were to look and introduced me to the basics. Unfortunately, shortly after that, he passed and I'm still missing him today. R.I.P. my dear friend.
I started to paint plastic figures from Italeri. Humbrol and Oil paints. Here is my first:
....
Cheers,
Zeno

Zeno, I really love the dioramas/vignettes you've posted recently ('The Captive', 'the Saxons'), they are beautifully painted and composed. Great to see how you started out, you've certainly come a long way mate!

Cheers

 

[Mariobusta]

 

[Mariobusta]

Here is my first attempt at a serious figure , Poste Mils Vlad the Impaler .All done in Oils over Enamel ,didn't really know what I was doing so made it up alone the way. Those Keith Durham figures are pretty crude by today's standard but were top notch at the time !The other figure is pretty much the reason I got into the hobby . Poste Mils Tamerlane sculpted by Julian Hullis . I remember seeing the full page add on the back of a Military modelling magazine and was totally blown away . I remember handing over $100 to Mike and waiting in anticipation till it arrived . I still think this figure is hard to beat even by today's standards and have often contemplated painting another one just to see how different He would look .I think that if Julian Hullis wasn'tmaking his masterpieces I probably wouldn't have got into the hobby and its a pity he seemed to disappear from the scene , even his early Verlinden 120mm figures were amazing. So there they are ,two of my oldest figures.

Cheers
Neil

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Here is my first attempt at a serious figure , Poste Mils Vlad the Impaler .All done in Oils over Enamel ,didn't really know what I was doing so made it up alone the way. Those Keith Durham figures are pretty crude by today's standard but were top notch at the time !The other figure is pretty much the reason I got into the hobby . Poste Mils Tamerlane sculpted by Julian Hullis . I remember seeing the full page add on the back of a Military modelling magazine and was totally blown away . I remember handing over $100 to Mike and waiting in anticipation till it arrived . I still think this figure is hard to beat even by today's standards and have often contemplated painting another one just to see how different He would look .I think that if Julian Hullis wasn'tmaking his masterpieces I probably wouldn't have got into the hobby and its a pity he seemed to disappear from the scene , even his early Verlinden 120mm figures were amazing. So there they are ,two of my oldest figures.

Cheers
Neil

I so remember both of these mate!

Keith Durham was a dab handle at drama with his figures.
Julian was amazing too - just had a search to see if I could find out more:
http://julianhullis.blogspot.co.nz

Wonder if anyone here from UK can shed light on both of their whereabouts today?

Photos are coming up well & like the different backgrounds you're trying out.
Who'd of thought pink would suit Vlad so well !

Stay safe,
Mike

STOP PRESS:
Also managed to dig out Tamerlane. As luck would have it/or not he is only figure not packed away.
Unfortunately he got some battle damage during move. His 20 yr old quiver & bowcase straps broke :-(

I recall many a long chat with you in those days about our painting approaches, each learning from one another well before internet kicked in.
He was my first serious large scale model done in oils over Humbrol base.
I was so proud of the Arabic writing, but the rest of him was a bit bland.
May consider some tidy ups when I finally get him fixed after next move.

Oh wonderful memories mate!

 

[Martin64]

Good potpourri of the evolution of Military Modelling in last three decades Martin

We have come so far & I reckon we're in good heart especially seeing development from small scale collecting & painting right through to competently sculpting your own pieces.
You've nailed it thanks mate!

Stay safe,

Mike

P.S. Wouldn't it be great if all our wars today were only fought with paintbrushes & putty

Hi Mike,
thanks for the comment - I think that we need to keep and protect a part from our childhood dreams and develop them further while growing up - therefore I am not looking at myself as a "serious modeller".
I totally agree to your P.S.-statement. I had the chance to be in some troublespots when the sh%t hit the fan and I prefer our romanticed look at those events painting our small scale heroes - it`s more or less historical fantasy...
Cheers mate!
Martin

 

[FigureLover]

Here are my early attempts at figures, apart from 1/35 diorama scenes done approx 20 years ago. The Predator was my first ever, large enough to airbrush the majority and my first introduction to oils (mouth and spots)
The ever classic Verlinden German was my third ever figure but first historical and first full oil job
Still have both of them in my cabinet

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

FigureLover,

For first and third attempts you where clearly well ahead of the game! Both would easily make the cut today. Very well done indeed.

Regards,

Mark

 

[Mark S]

Ben, to go from Baldrick doing a German and Predator is quite an amazing start considering the great pieces you're currently doing.

 

[FigureLover]

Cheers Mark and Mark!!!!!
Thanks guys, doing dioramas definitely gave me the heads up on figures alone, but I reckon it was Verlindens book "The System" that showed me the shining light when it came to painting figures in oils. I think I learnt 80% of what I know now from that book
Ben

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Cheers Mark and Mark!!!!!
Thanks guys, doing dioramas definitely gave me the heads up on figures alone, but I reckon it was Verlindens book "The System" that showed me the shining light when it came to painting figures in oils. I think I learnt 80% of what I know now from that book
Ben

Snap! That was the first book I ever bought, about figure painting! and I still have it because it influenced, and gave me great direction and information! .. I truly think that it still has legs today, for those who are just starting out!
Regards,

Mark

 

[FigureLover]

Definitely agree. Not sure if its still in production!!!!! If not then it should be, when I do painting seminars, its the book I recommend if it can be found
Ben

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

It is indeed! .. As it should be.

What I did like about it was the final pages, where he tested his 'system' with his staff, who were non-painters.

A tad more expensive now though!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/System-Figure-Painting-1/dp/1930607334/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420982551&sr=8-1&keywords=verlinden 'The System'

Mark

 

[FigureLover]

GEEEZUS!!!!! That price has gone up, I'm sure I bought mine for about $25 Aussie.
Ben

 

[swralph]

Hi Everyone.
Couple of my early attempts at figure painting,about 18/20 years ago Border Miniatures/Fusilier I think.
Cheers.
Ralph.

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Ralph,

Its always nice to see those 'Starter Pieces', and compare them with your later work. Which are poles apart.

Again another fine example of everyone having to start somewhere! I am glad you kept them even for just a thread as this one!

Regards,

Mark

 

[FigureLover]

Great starter pieces, and even have the dust on them to show the years!!!!!!!!!
Love it
Ben

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Cheers Mark and Mark!!!!!
Thanks guys, doing dioramas definitely gave me the heads up on figures alone, but I reckon it was Verlindens book "The System" that showed me the shining light when it came to painting figures in oils. I think I learnt 80% of what I know now from that book
Ben

Good to see your early work & agree mate they stack up today too!

Gotta mention Francois as he was the guy who popularised resin figures & commissioned some of the finest artists of the day to sculpt for his prolific company - Mention In Dispatches for Julian Hullis, Sid Horton & Roger Saunders as master artists that were part of the stable

I never got into his "System" though but know lots used it particularly the Burnt Sienna removed off resin to quickly do flesh areas.

Another memory opened up - thanks!

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi Everyone.
Couple of my early attempts at figure painting,about 18/20 years ago Border Miniatures/Fusilier I think.
Cheers.
Ralph.

View attachment 181972

Good to see these thanks Ralph.
I've got Steve's Gallipoli ANZAC as a possible project myself later in year maybe.
Those early Fusilier products were doing WW1 way before it was fashionable.
One of these "I wish I'd got more of those back in the day" moments

Stay safe
Mike

 

[Joe55]

OK, I guess I'll show off two dudes I painted back in the early 90's.
Both are David Grieve figures in 100mm and were done in oils. The 66th Berkshire Sergeant has a Verlinden head to which I added a moustache using Duro. Now this was not my original idea. I got it from a picture in magazine in which the painter/miniaturist did the conversion. When I saw that, I figured it was a simple enough modification that even I could pull it off. Thus my first, albeit simple conversion. The Guardsman had me totally stumped as I didn't have a clue how to paint the medals. I seem to remember the coloring guide indicating something like, 'as appropriate for the period'. Really? So I go to the University library and found a book on British medals. I made some notes and color sketches of three medals that would have been appropriate for a Color Sergeant of that period.

Joe

 

[Mariobusta]

I so remember both of these mate!

Keith Durham was a dab handle at drama with his figures.
Julian was amazing too - just had a search to see if I could find out more:
http://julianhullis.blogspot.co.nz

Wonder if anyone here from UK can shed light on both of their whereabouts today?

Photos are coming up well & like the different backgrounds you're trying out.
Who'd of thought pink would suit Vlad so well !

Stay safe,
Mike

STOP PRESS:
Also managed to dig out Tamerlane. As luck would have it/or not he is only figure not packed away.
Unfortunately he got some battle damage during move. His 20 yr old quiver & bowcase straps broke :-(

I recall many a long chat with you in those days about our painting approaches, each learning from one another well before internet kicked in.
He was my first serious large scale model done in oils over Humbrol base.
I was so proud of the Arabic writing, but the rest of him was a bit bland.
May consider some tidy ups when I finally get him fixed after next move.

Oh wonderful memories mate!

View attachment 181892View attachment 181891​

Loving the tread Mike !
Great to see your version of Tamerlane again . I can see by the photo's that you were a bit more adventurous than me with the Arabic writing and the floral designs on the quiver and bow case . looks a bit more interesting . Reminds me how I was terrified of doing patterns , actually I still am terrified when it comes to painting designs on shields or clothing ! So I thought I would show a photo of the first sheild design I ever painted ,all in enamels . It was a right pain waiting for them to bloody dry !This is another Kieth Durham figure of a Norman Mercenary, and also a pic of a more recent Norman design done with Acrylics on a Young B Song bust . Hope there is some improvement over those 20 or so years ! Love to see other Planeteers early attempts at designs .View attachment 182018View attachment 182019View attachment 182018View attachment 182019