1/16 African Gladiator

[Guest]

Some of you (fellow refugees from the site we do not mention) may remember that about a year ago I made up an African Retarius (net and trident man) using Miniart's gladiator figure. For various reasons I didn't keep the result, so I thought I'd have another go (I usually have one of these kits knocking around as I use them for spare parts quite often).

This is the kit:



And this is what I've built so far:



The head is from Verlinden's Zulu figure (I tried to find the same head I used before, but can't remember where I got it from). and he'll be waving his sword above his head in victory. So far, I've given him a new belt and a cut-down shield (from the kit), and made changes to the greave, replacing the poorly sculpted decorative figure with the head from the helmet. The right arm guard has been completed with extra strapping, and straps will also be made to secure it around his torso.

No promises - could easily go pear-shaped.....

[Steve Jones]

I liked this figure a lot when you built it first time around. I thought it was one of your best figures first time around so these extra changes will take it to a new level. Will your painting techniques from back then be used again or will you be shaking it up a bit?

[Richard48]

Hi Peter.
Will take a pew before the masses gather and squabble about chairs lol.Look out for a box next day or two mate.
Cheers for now.
Richard

[Guest]

Steve - I don't have any pictures of the first version, so I'm a bit in the dark. I'll just use whatever techniques work - it's hard enough without trying to be clever.

Richard - There are plenty of chairs. I recently bought home a leather armchair in perfect condition that had been fly-tipped up the road.

OK, top part done:



I haven't painted dark skin for a while and it took me a long time to work out some sort of method. In the end I used mixes of Black Brown, Flat Earth, Burnt Umber, Red Leather, Flat Flesh and Dark Red (all Vallejo).

The padded armour is going to painted as red leather, the loincloth in a lilac colour and the shield will be green - hopefully that should provided a coordinated palette. There will be plenty of steel, bronze and gold metallics as well of course.

As you can see, I've also added straps and a buckle for the arm-guard.

[Steve Jones]

PM sent Peter

[JR]

Aah a Womble as well Peter , nothing beats a throw away, bagsie the leather chair then. Nice start , nice skin and muscle definition.
Hows the kettle ?
John.

[Guest]

Steve - Cheers.

John - Never look a gift horse etc etc. Kettle still leaking.

[Richard48]

He looks a fearsome brute Peter.Flesh looks spot on mate.
Leaking kettle - Sounds like me when i have a sneezing fit and nearly wet me drawers!!.
Richard.

[Guest]

Cheers Richard - Hope you're keeping dry!

Bottom half done:



The colour for the loincloth comes from a single bottle of Pebeo Deco acrylic that I have in my possession. It had almost dried out, but adding some water did the trick. It mixes very well with Vallejo acrylics.

The belt and right boot were done using a base of Vallejo Saddle Brown, a colour I haven't tried before, but which adds a different take on leather.

[SteveH]

Morning Peter

Well done with the skin tone, a lovely variation on the Vietnam trooper you did, earlier this year?

Looks like another one will be finished today?

I guess you will be looking for your next project too

have a good day with the paints

regards

Steve H

[JR]

Morning Peter.
Great colour choice for the loincloth, and nicely picked out buckle. Could you do a photo with a ruler so I can see the size please.
John.

[Guest]

Steve - Glad you like him so far. This is 7th or 8th dark skin I've done, and on the whole I find it easier than European skin tones. Should finish today, then it's on to some commission work for Mookies.

John - Here he is with a 1/35 friend for scale:



The buckle is the top of a German gas mask canister with an added dot in the middle. I'm finding the Liquitex gold ideal for adding rivets - just blob it on and it stays raised above the surface.

[JR]

Thank you Peter.
He's humongous !!
That buckle , well I'd have thought with out hesitation that it was from the kit.:thumb2:
I can see this is a challenge in its self re painting. Must call for different approach ?
Now off to look at this Liquitex ,and further my education.:smiling4:
John.

[Jim R]

Hi Peter
He is a big lad for sure. I know you say these skin tone are easier for you but you have made a superb job there. The loin cloth colouring was a good choice. The buckle - you're certainly inventive!
Jim

[Steven000]

Nice blending Peter, looks huges
Have fun,
Steven