Alexandros Models Freebooter, 1697, 1:24th scale

[The Smythe Meister]

That's stunning Paul
Absolutely love him..... As has already been said,the colours set each other off a treat!
Nice one

[PaulinKendal]

Thanks Andy.

[PaulinKendal]

The freebooter is nearing completion - just the metallics now - so I'm thinking about basing.

The bases of the freebooter and the pirate figure can be interlocked, like this:




So for quite some time I assumed that was the 'best' arrangement, despite it being a very passive, static pairing. But then I thought, how about switching them?



Then I thought, how about the big guy stands in front, protecting his boss? Better...



I took this idea as far as making an infill, but then, if I push them closer together, the freebooter is whispering to his mate, while taking a sidelong glance over his shoulder - much more menacing:



From another angle:



Still very undecided.

[PaulinKendal]

[banjer]

Lovely piece of work Paul. I think the last grouping works best, a nice tight composition.
Superb painting.

Bill

[PaulinKendal]

Lovely piece of work Paul. I think the last grouping works best, a nice tight composition.
Superb painting.

Bill

Thanks Bill.

[Tim Marlow]

Plus one on the last composition. The interaction between the figures is palpable in that one. Love the expression on old “big hat” as well…..and the green sash really works against his faded trousers…..

[The Smythe Meister]

.... Plus 2!!
Looks excellent Paul

[JayCee]

I agree with the others re composition. Painting is excellent !
John.

[PaulinKendal]

Thanks all. Yes, I think the last composition is the best. I'm going to go with that.

I'm not hugely happy with the stripes on his sash. Having done them I realised I should have got three big stripes sorted properly first, then subdivided them each into three. Instead I tried to paint all nine stripes straight off - mistake. Still, you live and learn - and, as always they look worse in pictures than they do for real. I nearly decided to repaint over them and start again, but decided they're not bad enough to warrant that.

Undecided whether using heavy body acrylic made much difference. It is certainly very opaque, but it took a lot of thinning, and there's a learning curve in using them. I'll persevere.

Doing frequent coats of varnish is definitely worthwhile. I've done it about five times as the painting progressed. It unifies the finish, making it easier to assess, and certainly protects the underlying paint. Made it much easier to scrub off mistakes in subsequent layers (although I did try at first to remove a mistake with isopropanol and instantly went through to bare metal!)

[Tim Marlow]

Stripes look fine to me Paul, gives the sash the illusion of movement…..as to heavy bodied acrylic, I’ve used them for yellow and white highlights, but not needed them anywhere else…..I find them a bit sticky. Good for scenery though. Oils are a nice alternative, it’s just the drying time and the dust magnet effect that puts me off them these days……

[PaulinKendal]

All done. I'm now awaiting a base from Richard at Oakwood Studios, to combine these two figures. I might even get a Name It! nameplate...

[Jim R]

Well Paul, regardless of which composition you choose that is some excellent painting. They do make a stunning, and unusual, pair.

[Tim Marlow]

Well deserving of a good base and proper nameplate I’d say. Great stuff.

[Gavalaar1980]

Beautiful work Paul, love the colours you've used here. Outstanding and very realistic. I particularly like the skull necklace! G