Three 120mm Vignettes for Richard

[rtfoe]

If only I could get my painting as smooth as yours I'd be jumping over the moon, Peter. The shorter legs seem to give him a natural look so much that even standing still he doesn't look stiff.

Cheers,
Richard

[Guest]

Thank you Richard. Not so smooth in close up though!

I decided to go over the uniform and add some extra highlights:



I was in two minds as to whether to give the uniform a coat of matt varnish as it can often kill the surface dead. However, I went ahead and, sure enough, it went flat as a pancake. The only solution was to go over the whole thing and bring up the contrasts.

[Richard48]

He looks mighty fine to me Peter.
Will look a bobby dazzler when hes done.I need some of your modelling energy and mojo mate.Mines at zero Dont know what to make next.Severe lack of motivation indeed.
Richard

[Guest]

Cheers Richard. It looks like there will be a change of plan as far as the vignettes are concerned - I've been swapping bits around and coming up with better combinations. Sorry to hear about the mojo - perhaps it's due to it being summer and sculpting being a winter thing? Don't panic, just go with it.

[Guest]

Peter .
I always thought you gave a coat of flat varnish to your figures.
You make it look perfect with these convertions.
I did one fitting a new hand, looked like he had a baseball glove on .That was mixing two different manufactures.
John .

[Guest]

Hi John - I try not to varnish my figures if I can help it. I think a very slight sheen helps animate the surface.

As for the conversions, hands and heads are the real problems - an incredible range of sizes at one scale and often from the same manufacturer.

[SteveH]

Another lovely figure Peter,

your wet blend contrasting for this scale figures and busts is top notch.

The varnish issue must be frustrating, indeed, if it is necessary would it help with a drop in your paint during mixing shades and highlights?

The different manufacturers sizes for the same scale is good in groups to add variety, something that reflects people not being all the same, though there are limits to hands and heads!

New combinations?

Looking forward to what you have planned next

As ever Peter, super finishing, you really do maintain a high standard of work

regards

Steve H

[Guest]

Hi Steve - The only matt varnish that mixes successfully with Vallejo is their own, but the big problem is, it ain't matt! I use Daler Rowney, which though water soluble, tends to thin the paint too much, so....

Anyway people, the first figure is done:



Today I painted and attached his gear. I always enjoy this stage, as it's an opportunity to get up close and personal and work on the detail. A few straps and buckles were made from paper and wire as usual, then various parts were given a final varnish. The hand holding the rifle isn't quite right, so I'll swap it for a better one should one turn up.

I'm not sure whether any of the remaining figures will pair with this one, as I've made a few changes to the combinations and the Feldgendarme has bitten the dust. We'll have see.....

[Guest]

I've now sorted out the parts for the next figure, a Volksgrenadier:


This utilises Verlinden, Dragon and Tamiya parts with a Reedees(?) head. I've given him G43 ammo pouches but a 98K rifle to emphasise the mix of equipment used towards the end of the war. He'll be wearing a field cap and carrying the helmet on his belt.

The build was fairly simple, though I had to insert a shirt collar cut from another figure to take the head. The only haversack that fitted was a bit damaged so I've made new rings from wire.

I may be able to team this up with the previous figure - I'll see how it goes.

[SteveH]

Looks like another cracking mix and match figure, Peter.

Is the head an "older" recruit?

I guess we will see later today.

The varnish issue does appear to be a tricky one?

I guess it becomes a bigger problem with the bigger scales?

Here's hoping the head behaves itself

regards

Steve H

[Guest]

Morning Steve

This one should be simpler. I'm not sure where the head comes from, but as you say, we'll see if he survives the rigours of being painted. He does look older, and of course the Volksgenadiers were made up of remnants of the armies decimated by the Soviets, so he could be older.

[Guest]

The first choice head didn't work out as usual, so I went for this Dragon one instead (if in doubt......):

[Jim R]

Hi Peter
The first figure is very nice indeed. The equipment fits very naturally.
Jim

[Steve Brodie]

looking excellent, as always

[Guest]

Many thanks Jim and Steve.