Blitz AFS Fireman Bust Sculpt ,1-10 scale

[Guest]

Neil - I searched for your image and apparently it is of an actual, injured fireman in a London hospital. My problem is that every time I see one I think of Tommy Trinder. Sorry for the confusion.

[Neil Merryweather]

Neil - I searched for your image and apparently it is of an actual, injured fireman in a London hospital. My problem is that every time I see one I think of Tommy Trinder. Sorry for the confusion.

No need to apologise Mr D.
It was an interesting diversion, and I had thought the a same originally myself.

[Neil Merryweather]

Now that's a steely gaze!
Pete

good one Pete- maybe I should call him Zoolander?

[Neil Merryweather]

That is a great thousand yard stare.......the collar is really sharp as well.

Thanks Tim-it will be interesting so see if I can paint it like that

[wotan]

Neil

A brave move on the eyes and it has paid off handsomely. The way to check is to look at the profile of the figure, you should see the outer edge of the eye somewhat further to the rear than the inner edge. But whatever I mean you have got it right.
Looking forward to the next steps.

John

[Neil Merryweather]

Neil

A brave move on the eyes and it has paid off handsomely. The way to check is to look at the profile of the figure, you should see the outer edge of the eye somewhat further to the rear than the inner edge. But whatever I mean you have got it right.
Looking forward to the next steps.

John

Cheers John, thanks for pointing it out in the first place - they do look better.
It's always good to have a fresh pair of eyes......

[Peter Gillson]

Great work, developing into a nice bust.

Peter

[Jim R]

Hi Neil
That is really good. Ball bearings for eyes - well who'd have thunk it :tongue-out3:
Jim

[Neil Merryweather]

Great work, developing into a nice bust.

Peter

Thank you very much,Peter

[Neil Merryweather]

Hi Neil
That is really good. Ball bearings for eyes - well who'd have thunk it :tongue-out3:
Jim

cheers Jim

[Richard48]

Thanks very much, Richard.
I'm using IPA with a brush a bit, but mostly I'm trying to achieve the finish with modelling tools, because I'm trying to improve my technique. I am using those silicone rubber ones that look like artists' oilpaint brushes. sometimes I use them with the IPA. It's all an experiment- especially when you have a goldfish memory like me-just call me Dory!

Doing a great job Neil.Another sculptor to join the figure buffs here.
Rich

[Neil Merryweather]

These AFS boys’ uniforms have VERY distinctive buttons

So I thought I had better try and show them. I found a couple of ‘domey’ things the right sort of sizes( main and epaulette) in the spares box and dived in with the Duro to see if I could get something like it

I’ve got to say I am really chuffed with these- I really didn’t expect it to be possible. They are 3.2mm and 2.4mm diameter respectively.

I need 6 big ones and 2 small ones and there’s no way I could repeat that so I need to mould them. I used SilliGum – a two-part, fast-curing silicone rubber putty- to make a press mould.

They are rather small to mix up a batch of resin for, so I tried out the UV fly-tying glue that I used on Douglas Bader’s goggles.

It worked well after a few false starts. I had to cure the buttons with the UV torch, then glue them to a piece of sprue so I can hold them.

It is very difficult to see whether they are successful casts so I sprayed them grey.

This one is clearly a reject

Having selected the most promising ones I cut the tops off with my jeweller’s saw, and sanded the backs for a shallower dome shape.

I thought I had better paint them silver and give them a black wash to be sure they are actually good enough.

Close, but no cigar!
I think I could get away with the lettering, but even after sanding the shape is too highly domed. They also should have a rim, which I haven’t done
So it’s back to the drawing- er, sculpting board.

Thanks for looking

Neil

[wotan]

Neil

As an alternative try pressing a suitable dome shape into some magic sculpt. pull it out and then press the letters, in reverse, into the inside of the dome shaped socket. I find that pressing the letters in is easier than trying to sculpt them. When it's set you simply press some magic sculpt or similar into the rigid moulds you have shaped.

John

[Guest]

Brilliant work Neil. You're a talented man.

[Mickc1440]

This is developing into a great sculpt Neil.