YPRES 1914

[krow113]

120 mm Jaguar 'Close Call Tommy' kitset. Verlinden , Firing Line , Custom Dioramics etc. A tribute to my great grandfather who fought in the first battle of Ypres and died of his wounds in England. Started in 2010 just finished in the last few days. I cant paint a fig to save my life , but we try!

 

[Babelfish]

Can't paint a figure? Surely you jest Sir! Because that's very nicely done all round. The groundwork is also great, and it sets the scene perfectly. And I love the very original base and lettering. I think you've done a tremendous job.

- Steve

 

[anstontyke]

an excellent tribute. wish i couldnt paint as bad as you, the figure and the setting are both really good and a credit to you

 

[MCPWilk]

Wonderfully atmospheric.

Mike

 

[krow113]

Steve , anston , Mike : Thank you.

Mighty struggles with the face part of figgies , some of the remainder comes a little easier.
Some more of the 'landscaping':




3 skulls , as many femurs , 5 rats , 2 grenades , a wine bottle , a water bottle , a mess kit , gas can , .303 shells , 1 artillery shell , 3 ammunition pouches , 1 sand bag , all A/M. Scratched wire posts and corrugated metal , signage.

 

[peedee]

This is first rate story telling, faithfully rendered in all respects.
It would be a winner in many regional competitions, and I applaud the concept and the manner of it's presentation.

A huge well done from me and I would love to shake your hand for sharing this with us.

Wonderful.

Paul.

 

[megroot]

It seems oke, but I have some points of critism and that is not for your work but for the accurasy of the dio.
Ypres had never trenches. That whas around ypres what is called the saillant. And that is several kilometers from the center of Ypres. The Saillant whas build on trenches.
. The battle of Ypres started with the first battle of Yper on 21 october 1914. But it wasn't in Yper, but Zonnebeke and Poelkapelle where the Germans where and the Britisch and French at Langemark and Boezinge. IN that time it is become cold into flanders, so the dead aren't not so quickly formed into a skeleton. You have the year of 1914 and put some German skeletons in it. It is not possible to have skeletons in 1914 in Ypres, because before a dead soldier is a skeleton there are more months in the ground nessecery.
And I think that no mans land whasn't marked with a sign. It is between the German and allied trenches.
Above that I never read that there whas a trench called Tipperary. It whas a song that is written in 1912 and tipperary is a small town into Ireland. It whas a symbolic song for "I wanna go home".
Just a few points for critism what can be easy be correct to change the year in 1915 for example, and put the word "around" befor Ypres.

Above all my points of critism, you did a great job to bring history alive.
Marc.

 

[Babelfish]

I think it's fine as it is. The battle was known as "First Ypres", it was fought in Oct./Nov. 1914, so in my book there's nothing wrong with calling it "Ypres 1914".

Trenches were used in the battle, and I've seen 'humorous' signs and signs pointing to destinations 'back home' in photos from various conflicts, WWI included.

Maybe a fair point about the skeletons (not knowing much about forensic pathology, I wouldn't like to call it either way). But they look cool, so personally I can live with that as a bit of 'artistic license' even if it's not strictly accurate. Especially as they're tucked away and not in your face.

- Steve

 

[DEL]

James, a very fine tribute. I particularly like the various references in the scene, they evocatively convey the horror of the war.
Clever use of the signs to illustrate probably two of the most well known iconic references to the war
Oh! .......... the painting isn't half bad either.
Cheers
Derek

 

[mark126804]

Krow113, Fantastic concept. A wonderful tribute.

Mark

 

[Dan Morton]

wish i couldnt paint as bad as you

Amen!

All the best,
Dan

 

[krow113]

Gentlemen; Thank you all.

The points raised are not in any way unforeseen.

The piece in itself ,looking closely we see a front and two sides with an open back.
This is in itself a salient , the definition being not quite so delineated.

A forensic (reality based , not tv drivel) examination may result in the point raised here , and on other forums , however as pointed out on the other forum, there are 5 'dinner guests'.

There was also no intent to portray a trench. The battle is called the 'First Battle of Ypres' ; as it is on numerous books and chapters in books. My GG was there, family history suits me.

I have made most of my living making signs , no apology in that respect!

Some of the details may seem 'placed' and some could be described as an attempt to gain favour through gore or by horrifying the observer. If someone wishes to feel this way that is their prerogative. Certainly this is not the inspiration or main goal behind producing this piece.

WW 1 dio's figs and other subjects bring on a lot of different ideas and emotions , I m glad my work can be of interest to other modelers.


I also enter every model built in our local IPMS show ,so come October we shall see peer opinion.

 

[MCPWilk]

My only criticism in what I think is a first class diorama/vignette is that the Tommy is far too clean, even if he is on the duck boards!

Mike

 

[krow113]

Thanks Mike.
I hafta agree!
However in listening to IPMS judges ( in my chapter) I find they are not enamored of figs with too much dirt or mud. Not only is it tough to render , especially the transition from dry to wet mud, but it can obscure details that are needed. Many judges think you are hiding something under the mud as well!
I did apply a little to the back of his boots and shins , but had to restrain myself.

 

[Huw63]

A marvellous piece of work - great painting and a very original base. Overall a suitably fitting tribute to one of millions of unfortunate souls.

Cheers

Huw

 

[krow113]

Huw , thank you.

 

[Babelfish]

I find they are not enamored of figs with too much dirt or mud. Not only is it tough to render , especially the transition from dry to wet mud, but it can obscure details that are needed.

Have to agree, dirt & mud are actually quite tricky to pull off convincingly, which I think is why a lot of guys (myself included a lot of the time) tend to "under-do" it or even shy away from it completely for fear of screwing up a paint-job that they're otherwise happy with.

Some painters have got it down to a fine art that looks great and takes their figures up to another level of realism, but I've seen many an otherwise nicely-painted figure (at shows as well as on here) ruined by poorly applied and/or overdone mud & dirt. And for my money that's way worse than having a figure that's too "clean".

- Steve

 

[Zastrow.cuirassier]

Great vignette, perhaps the Tommy is too clean, but sure you can change that!
It's a real winning vignette in a show !

 

[baronband]

A great diorama, indeed, can I ask how you make the used cartridge cases in that scale, they look realistic?
Cheers

John

 

[krow113]

Steve ; Sounds like a much needed tutorial ,thanks. Reminds me of one of our best modellers at last years event , aa sea of mud with a Male in the middle of it ,utterly lost... I 'embedded' as minimally as possible.

Zastrow , thanks I will leave it now as all things must end.

John , thank you. The cartridge cases are really a 'cartridge case' from Mission Models.I never dimensioned them until now , they are:
.024" dia x .125" in length. These are 1/35 .50 cal sets:

.024" x 15 = .36 , pretty close to .303" which is SMLE rifle bore , I THINK , not being firearm savvy. No product number , sawry , but they have a crimp at the bullet end and a rim/cap on the bottom , so they look good.