Just looked at your original photos, looks like none of the troops shown are wearing their tin hats with the strap under their chins 
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Really interesting to see the process and watch him slowly coming to life, fantastic :thumb2:Comment
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Lovely work Neil.Comment
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Neil,
I will have to give this a go. My first sculpt will be John Merrick and not by choice.Comment
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The next stage is the leather jerkin.
Here’s our image again to refresh your memory
I rolled out a sheet of clay and cut it to shape for the left front. I added the seam detail but as you will see a lot of it got lost during the process. But the bits that survived helped, so I would still do it again
I added it to the body. Just to be on the safe side I painted the area first with a weak mix of putty and IPA, which is recommended by the manufacturer.
I started to model the folds as per the image and realised I had made a Rookie Mistake –
The clay just wanted to sit right into the waist instead of hanging obediently in space like the garment. So I had to peel the clay away and add some bulk underneath to support it
This made it a whole lot easier to work with
I cut away the excess at the sleeve and worked in some more creases and texture.
When sculpting clothes that are hanging it’s vital that the creases are straight and vertical or they just look wrong. This is where having reference images really helps. It’s actually quite hard to do with soft clay floating in space! It’s not there yet but I will continue to tweak it as I go along. Next we go the left side, and this time I remembered to add some bulk to support the drape of the jerkin.
I cut a piece to shape as before but this time I folded the front neck over as the image shows
I painted the area with IPA again and attached the sheet.
Creases and texture added
Now for the back, and here we have to use our imagination for the folds etc
Because the jerkin is not done up it will hang loose from the back so I added some bulk as before. Then a small piece of rolled out clay to complete the skirt
I blended that into the sides and the material at the top of the back
And added creases, bearing in mind that the right shoulder is raised so the skirt edge will slant down toward his left side. We can see this in the image.
Next I refined the creases and texture, and added the button holes
I have left the sleeves open as the arms are going to be separate.
They are a bit thick but I can’t make them thinner without breaking them so I will try and thin them down after he is cooked
A modern reproduction of the jerkin has this random seam at the back so I have added it, although it may be a modern day expedient with large hides being less readily available., but it's too late now, he's in the oven!
That’s all for now, next up I will look at fitting his head properly, working on his neck and shirt collar
Cheers
NeilComment
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Ok Mr. Merryweather,
Were you scared??? Seriously Neil, what you are doing here is is utterly, and I do mean utterly unbelievable. I have followed your Fusilier, fuselage, or what they are conversions and am at loss for words. Sorry I haven't commented sooner, but I don't know what to say. Anyone who can make ears or eyeballs on a 54mm figure is a master of the modelling art. Now you are doing the whole figure and again, I have been totally amazed at your craftmanship and the ability to work on something so small....
This has to stop as I am always picking up my jaw off the floor with each update. It has also come to my attention, that you have been taking the wrong dosages of your medication again!!! Please don't don't stop and don't change the dosages. I have learned so much and have enjoyed this tremendously Sir. I may never sculpt a figure, but the knowledge from your SBS will always be there if I try.
With that, I can just say thank you for taking the time to bring this to life and it's a really nice tribute too. Have fun and may the oven always be at the right temp. (and SWMBO doesn't get upset)....................Drive on Neil...........
Prost
Allen
PS, check to the usual off-shore account pleaseLife's to short to be a sheep...Comment
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Well Allen is quite right in his praise Neil.
This is entering the realm of a black art , most interesting long may it continue.:nerd:Comment
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There was a fear that a nearby explosion would brake your neck if the strap was fixed under your chin. If the strap was behind your head, the helmet would fly off without harming your neck.
AndyComment
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This is excellent Neil and I am really enjoying watching you sculpt. THANK YOU.
AndyComment
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Wow Allen thank you so much, that's a great compliment!
Strange to say but I do quite enjoy the process of writing the blog, although it is a bit strange stopping mid flow to take photos so frequently.
It's good to know that people are getting something from it.
As for the meds, I lost track of them years ago....
Happy birthday
NComment
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Neil.
Those leather jerkins were still around at the beginning of my service, mostly worn by Don Rs and Tank Transporter drivers (Polish MCTGs); they were varied in their construction and colouration - often made of multiple hides and stained and polished in areas of high wear. The only standard on them seemed to be the large plastic/bakelite buttons and the khaki flanelette lining. I hope I'm not repeating what you already know! Stunning work by the way!!
SteveComment
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