forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

Modelers Lounge => Time to relax => Topic started by: Michael Scarborough on August 27, 2015, 08:07:18 AM

Title: A different medium....
Post by: Michael Scarborough on August 27, 2015, 08:07:18 AM
I've decided to put styrene wings away for a while and do some figure painting. After all, all of my builds are supposed to develop into dioramas, especially the RNAS Pup.....so, time to get the brushes out and get back into the swing of it.

For starters, I will pick up where I left off on this French Dragoon with the 1000 Yard Stare. I see now that there is more than can be done to further develop him, particularly the uniform. Mike Blank gave me grief about using actual gold leaf to represent the polished brass of the helmet so I will attend to that....after the damn dust is blown off!

(http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag293/michaelscarborough1/IMG_0405_zpsiyzg0tqi.jpg) (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/michaelscarborough1/media/IMG_0405_zpsiyzg0tqi.jpg.html)

Cheers from NYC,
Michael
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Dal Gavan on August 27, 2015, 11:28:04 AM
Very nice, Michael.  You've nailed the 5 o'clock shadow- I always have trouble with them.  Did you use a darkish grey (eg Payne's grey) or a an ivory black?

19th REGT?  21st?  Who does that bust, I don't remember seeing it before?

Cheers.

Dal.
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: lcarroll on August 27, 2015, 11:44:49 AM
Wow, Michael!
   I see why you are a successful  and established Artist by trade. You've created a lifelike quality that is astounding IMHO. What scale is it? The facial detail is quite incredible.
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Michael Scarborough on August 27, 2015, 11:49:28 AM
Thanks, Dal. Much appreciated.

This guy has been in mothballs for so long I am not sure. Pretty sure it was Ivory Black but with a bit of Prussian Blue.

I'm also embarrassed to say I don't remember the regiment! Let me check my Angus McBride and I will let you know. It was an Andrea 1/10 scale bust....part of the series of Napoleonic Frenchmen; the dragoon, a lancer, a grenadier and an hussar. I guess they came out about 10 years ago but are still on their website: http://www.andreadepotusa.com/es/1/miniaturas-andrea/109/coleccion-de-bustos.html?p=2

Cheers from NYC,
Michael
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Michael Scarborough on August 27, 2015, 11:53:37 AM
You caught me in mid post, Lance. Many thanks!

This is a 1/10 scale bust from Andrea. It's really well sculpted which makes all the difference in ones ability to paint it. I plan to work on a few more in this scale, then drop down to 90mm, then get back to 54mm/1:35/1:32 for the Pup diorama. The details in that scale are pretty minute so maybe working down in decreasing size will build the confidence level.

I'm enjoying the Snipe!

Cheers,
Michael
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: GAJouette on August 27, 2015, 12:26:04 PM
 Michael,
Now that's outstanding piece of artwork my friend. You have an amazing talent and painting skills.I'm most impressed with the five o'clock shadow and the Leopard skin covered helmet,just awesome. All and all he's a fitting tribute to your artistic skill. Sometime I'd love to see a how to thread from you on your figure painting techniques. That would of great interest to your lesser skilled forum mates like myself.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Ron@redondo on August 27, 2015, 12:30:32 PM
Very nice job.
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Pgtaylorart on August 27, 2015, 05:15:10 PM
Nice paint, Michael-Angelo!

Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Ssasho0 on August 27, 2015, 05:35:35 PM
let me get my jaw, it dropped on the floor and I kicked while trying to sit down ;)

The stare is perfect, the shadow of the cap and the 5 OÇlock under the chin are very lifelike! Wonderfull

Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: bobs_buckles on August 27, 2015, 05:55:02 PM
Nice paint, Michael-Angelo!

You beat me to it, George!  ;D

vB
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Nigel Jackson on August 27, 2015, 08:31:40 PM
Beautiful work, Michael.

Best wishes
Nigel
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Michael Scarborough on August 28, 2015, 01:24:08 AM
You gentleman are far too kind but your comments are sincerely appreciated. I am fired up to get back to some figures....I really do want to complete the RNAS Pup diorama and the "everyone's gone to the moon" look just isn't plausible.

Gregory, regardless of subject, I am a firm believer in using pictures of the real object to work from. I used this one for the leopard skin:


(http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag293/michaelscarborough1/untitled_zps1vxb95wx.png) (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/michaelscarborough1/media/untitled_zps1vxb95wx.png.html)

(God Bless the 60s but don't tell PETA!)

Cheers from NYC,
Michael
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: RAGIII on August 28, 2015, 02:32:06 AM
Michael,
Lovely work on the bust! In particular I am impressed with the 5 O'clock shadow! Do you recall your method for this effect?
RAgIII
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: coyotemagic on August 28, 2015, 02:50:39 AM
Spectacular!  But then this is really your forte.  Your figure sculpting and painting always blows me away.  You should post some of your older stuff here, as well, like the samurai, the joust and the archers.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Michael Scarborough on August 28, 2015, 03:11:50 AM
Well, I really am blown away by all this feedback. It is sincerely appreciated and comes at a very good time. Off and on, I have had a hand in model building in one form or another, professionally or in an amateur capacity, for over 50 years. Having to step back from 3 aircraft builds in a row has been not just a little frustrating. So thank you, comrades.

Bud, despite what Carol says about you, you are too kind. None of those other projects is really finished...despite the fact that the White Company archers box diorama was already exhibited at the Delaware Art Museum! Hah! Talk about a perfectionist.

Cheers from NYC,
Michael
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: coyotemagic on August 28, 2015, 03:14:36 AM
None of those other projects is really finished...despite the fact that the White Company archers box diorama was already exhibited at the Delaware Art Museum! Hah! Talk about a perfectionist.
Well, Put 'em up anyway!  They're brilliant.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: lone modeller on August 28, 2015, 04:15:49 AM
That figure is beyond words to describe…… You are very clearly a man of extraordinary talent - i do not recall ever seeing a face quite as convincing as that. And then you say that you cannot build aeroplane models?? Try the other one….it has a bell on it!!!
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Pgtaylorart on August 28, 2015, 04:32:53 AM
I agree with Bud. I've had the privilege of seeing some of your figure diorama work. You need to share it with us all!

G
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Michael Scarborough on August 28, 2015, 04:51:35 AM
That figure is beyond words to describe…… You are very clearly a man of extraordinary talent - i do not recall ever seeing a face quite as convincing as that. And then you say that you cannot build aeroplane models?? Try the other one….it has a bell on it!!!

Stephen, go on with you, as is said in the South. I see it as two different sets of skills. Maybe I should just drink more beer and stop worrying about defining the differences.

As far as Try the other one….it has a bell on it!!! I'm not sure if I dare to ask what this means....unless it has something to do with pulling one of various human appendages...with varying results....

Seriously though, I sincerely appreciate your kind words and indefatigable support.

Cheers from this Side,
Michael
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Pgtaylorart on August 28, 2015, 05:01:15 AM
I am also wondering what the "bell" statement means, Stephen. ??? Is this a southern thing?

George
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Michael Scarborough on August 28, 2015, 05:02:37 AM
Only if it's from the South of England...
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Pgtaylorart on August 28, 2015, 05:04:43 AM
Only if it's from the South of England...

Oh, I'm not even in the right continent? I'm so confused!! :o
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: GAJouette on August 28, 2015, 07:45:28 AM
"Gregory, regardless of subject, I am a firm believer in using pictures of the real object to work from. I used this one for the leopard skin"
Michael,
I've been studying the photograph with a magnify glass for hours now and still don't see the Leopard skin referred to.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Who's apparently blind to leopard skin.
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Michael Scarborough on August 28, 2015, 08:08:57 AM
"still don't see the Leopard skin referred to"

AND I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY DIRTY OLD MAN IN THE BUNCH.

Rick, I think I just used a stiff-ish brush and stippled it on, then very gingerly blotted it with a softer brush. It needs to be even but it's really easy to make it disappear all together. And it's a balance between trying to recreate a true 5 o'çlock shadow (which to me means a guy (or gal) whose dark "beard" shows through pale skin even just after a shave) and a guy who just looks like he needs a shave. I wanted this man to look as if he is battle weary but not just coming from a battle.

HTH.

Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Dal Gavan on August 28, 2015, 11:56:00 AM
Prussian Blue?  Brilliant!  I've been using straight Ivory Black, Payne's Grey or even Mars Black, but they looked too stark and "dead"-  just wrong, though Payne's Grey does seem to work better on smaller-scale figures (54mm and smaller).

Andrea do brilliant figures.  Among my top three- Poste Militaire, Andrea and the late Richard Almond's figures.

"Pulling your leg" means trying to fool you or having a joke at your expense.  "Pull the other one- it's got bells on" means you've seen through the ploy and won't have your leg pulled.

Perfectly logical, ain't it?  ???

Many thanks, Maestro.

Cheers.

Dal.

"still don't see the Leopard skin referred to"

AND I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY DIRTY OLD MAN IN THE BUNCH.


Nah.  Not by a really long shot, mate.
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Michael Scarborough on August 28, 2015, 12:22:33 PM
Well, we have pull your leg on this side of the Pond. There is also an old trick uncles play on their nephews when they ask to have their finger pulled with malodorous results. Very tacky. So, hearing that bells were attached made me wary.

Yep..blue...next time you see a man with 5 o'clock shadow, or especially, a shaved head, look at the slight blue cast to it all. That's what I see, anyway.

Maestro? In my dreams! But thanks!

Cheers
Title: Re: A different medium....
Post by: Ernie on August 28, 2015, 10:31:55 PM
Michael, the bust is scary-good!  I wish I had even a thimble full of
your talent, my friend!  Thanks for sharing this gem as well as the
beauty on the Leopard skin...very life-like! 8)
  It's sad when your wife calls you a dirty old man and you head to
the bathroom to wash up. ;) ;D

Cheers,
Ernie :)