Verlinden 120mm USAAF Crewman 'Memphis Belle'

[Guest]

Hi Peter - Verlinden certainly did a fine job on this one - apart from the face!

John - Many thanks.

The top half is now finished:



I haven't put in the stitching on the parachute harness yet, and might not do so unless I'm feeling more confident I won't mess it up.

[SteveH]

Morning Peter

Lovely work on the contrasting colours and super leather-work.

You had a really good day with the paints

its bright again but cold, B'rrr!

Perhaps some work in the garage latter, airbrushing?

Have a good day with the trousers

Regards

Steve H

[Guest]

Morning Steve

Glad you approve so far - it's certainly a complicated paint job, but the trickiest parts are over. I always have a good day with my trousers!

Hope you can get some AB work done, though it is a bit cold.

[Jim R]

Hi Peter
I like his face and the front and back of the jacket is superb.
Hope you're fully recovered now.
Jim

[Guest]

Thanks Jim. I've been tweaking the face as I go along - thought of something else I could do lat night, so we'll see...

The Covid 19 has left me very run-down, and though the coughing etc has stopped, I still seem to have a chest infection and sinus problems. Nothing serious though.

[outrunner]

The quality of your work with figures leaves me speechless, great job there.

Andy.

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Peter
Great job on this one. Really like him.
Your Covid issues are probably post infection scarring on your sinuses and lung tissue from the infection. I have a similar issue which makes me breathless during anything vaguely strenuous. It will fade with time. Just keep positive.....

[Guest]

Andy. Very kind words, thank you. I'm absolutely loving working on this one.

Tim - Glad you like him. My wife Dr Scott(!) reckons it's also likely to be long term inflammation as well as a bit of scarring. Drowning in mucus at the moment (sorry for the image there chaps).

[NickT]

Great progress Peter - fantastic as usual, great skills, and glad you seem to be recovering o.k.
Nick T

[Guest]

Nick - Thanks very much. I'll survive the CV thanks.

The legs are now done:



I'm finding it quite hard to photograph this one as the reddish tones in the leather keep 'blooming', an affect my camera has on reds. I've tried various background colours and by further editing this is reasonably close to the original, though the flying suit is slightly more muted.

The leather was painted by first putting on a coat of black brown, then building up the base with fairly dry layers of saddle brown in order to pick up the texture. Leather brown was then used for highlighting, then the whole was given a sepia wash to tone it down and further bring out the texture.

[Guest]

Looking great Peter :smiling3:.

[Guest]

Thanks Ralph - Just the twiddly bits to do now.

[SteveH]

Morning Peter

Super leathers, I am sure it is more complicated to get that finish than your simple instructions?

Just the bits to do today, whatever will be next?

Good to hear you feel you have reached the road to recovery, however slowly it is the best direction to be going.

I take everyone else just bounced back, annoyingly!

I spent too much time yesterday cleaning the air brush!

I do need to remember Model colours don't like the Air brush, but I don't have any other black or white paint for the Spitfire!

Perhaps a little more today?

Have a good day, another bright one and warmer weather on the way

Regards

Steve H

[Guest]

Morning Steve

One reason I don't have an airbrush is that I know I wouldn't be able to look after it properly, or rather couldn't be bothered - shades of endlessly cleaning Rotring pens back at college. As for the patients, Katherine and Owen barely registered the CV, Naomi had slightly longer term effects, and it's only me that it's taken time to leave.

The leather really was quite simple to do, as are most colours that require a dark ground - much easier working dark to light than vice versa. Should get the figure finished today as there's only the oxygen mask, hands and parachute to do. I'm trying to decide what to do about the stitching on the harness - I think I'll have to practice with various methods to see if I can get a clean enough job.

[Jack L]

Enjoyable to watch as always, Peter.