Verlinden 1/5 Viking Bust

[Guest]

Some more done:

[ATTACH alt="100_6226.JPG"]370167[/ATTACH]

I've resolved a few of the messier bits and I think I'll call the head done now.

[Guest]

Very nice Peter :smiling3:.

[Guest]

Thanks Ralph. It's been an almighty struggle with the head.

Did some more work on the face, then on to the helmet:



There really is nowhere to hide at this scale - every lump and bump shows. Things were not helped by the helmet flying off and hitting the floor. The main casualty was the nose-guard which shattered into three pieces. I had to shorten it to cut off the damage, but I think it looks OK.

To paint, I first gave the helmet a coat of flat black, then a layer of matt varnish to protect it. I next dry-brushed on Vallejo Oily Steel followed by Natural Steel, building up the highlights with layers of Oily Steel. Then I consolidated the lines and rivets with thinned black, and finally dotted in the rivets with Old Gold highlighted with Pure Gold. Still a bit of burnishing to do.

[Guest]

I've made some adjustments to the face to explain the shading caused by the nose guard:

[ATTACH alt="100_6240.JPG"]370360[/ATTACH]

[SteveH]

Morning Peter

Looks like this one has been fighting you all the way?

You do seem to be winning and your metalwork as ever is superb.

Your description seems so simple in relation to the finish you've achieved, hopefully the remainder should be more willing to cooperate?

Lots of metalwork too.

Will you stick with the red vest or pick another colour?

Should be a better day with no frost unlike the weekend.

My back has been out in sympathy with my knee!

Can't walk or sit comfortably!

Can't drive either, to get to my chiropractor either, time for more tablets!

Have a good day with the paints and family too

Regards

Steve H

[Guest]

Morning Steve

The history of the struggle is there in the finish, though the memory of it is fading somewhat and I'm more reconciled to it. I was hoping to be able to do something better, but the sculpt was a bit iffy (always blame the sculptor!). The helmet was also tough, mainly because such vast areas needed to be painted and metallics are extra-demanding. Thinking of green for the tunic.

Very frosty here with a brilliant red sunrise. Should be a clear bright day.

Sorry to hear about your back. My neck and shoulders have also gone, the result of carrying my granddaughter. Very painful.

[Jim R]

Hi Peter
The very large scale has certainly been a test but it looks really good now. As soon as you say Viking you think of 'character' and I think he has plenty :thumb2:
Had to smile when I read of your little angel personalising the coffee table - they are little treasures aren't they :rolling: Last week mine had me at the play park - ok at the time but recovery may take a while!
Jim

[Guest]

Thanks Jim. I'm going to have to move on from the head now, as I don't think there's any more I can do to improve it. Hopefully this will be a 'sum of the parts' figure.

Re; Little ones. How they keep going is a mystery.

[Steve Jones]

Well he is certainly a beast of a man. Glad to hear the sculpt is a good one. The head is outstanding. Looking forward to seeing the rest

[Guest]

Glad you like him so far Steve. I must admit that I'm finding this one very difficult.

Got some way with the torso:

[ATTACH alt="100_6244.JPG"]370413[/ATTACH][ATTACH alt="100_6243.JPG"]370438[/ATTACH]

The mail is proving problematic. At smaller scales I would have just painted it black, then dry-brushed on ever lighter shades of steel. Here, I'm finding that the surface is uneven and lumpy and defying a clean finish. I've resorted to washes, which is helping even out the tones, and am even painting in individual chain links.

[Jim R]

Hi Peter
Looking super already to my eyes.
Jim

[Guest]

Cheers Jim. It's come close to a bin-job many times, but I'm determined to finish it.

[Guest]

I've done a bit more work on the chain mail, basically flattening out the bumps with a graphite pencil. It's getting there. A couple of out of focus pictures:

[Peter Gillson]

Peter

it look a big lump of resin. it may be a bit of a battle but it's looking good. Are you going to distress the leatherbelt with a bit of wear & tear?

peter

[SteveH]

Morning Peter

Your struggles with the bust, eyes and mail are certainly paying off, as the bust looks super.

The quality of your work still shines through, even if it has been a tough fight!

Should be the last round of the fight today?

One positive is that you have battled through and not boxed the bust for recycling!

Well Done.

I shall try the car again today and see if I can get my left foot onto the clutch pedal, I really do need to get to my Chiropractor, soon!

Hopefully your shoulder and neck have settled down a little, just reduce the small person weight lifting LOL

Looks like a few grey days ahead fro us, according to the BBC!

Have a good pay on the final nits

Regards

Steve H