Model Cellar 1/32 RFC Pilot & Mechanic

[gedmundson]

For something to pose by my current Sopwith Triplane project, I decided to break open a couple of figures that have been sitting around for a while. Since the aircraft I'm modelling was delivered to the RFC, I thought the two figures by Model Cellar of the RFC pilot & mechanic would work well - and the sculpts and detail are superb.

I've airbrushed some Tamiya acrylic base paint onto the figures and will paint the heads separately, mounted on corks to help the handling. The rest of the painting will be done by brush with Vallejo acrylics. The head gear has been underlined in black to start with. I searched in vain for what colour the mechanics overalls might have been, so when in doubt...I followed the box art which had them in some sort of grey. I certainly enjoy figure painting more than rigging my Triplane.
Cheers!

[NigelR]

Nice start - following with interest......

[gedmundson]

Thanks Nigel!

Progress has been a bit slow on these figures as I'm trying my best to put some realism into the paintwork and referencing Mike (Kiwi) Butler's book on painting miniatures. I'd switched from W&N series 7 to using Tamiya sable ProII brushes for fine work, but have gone back and forth depending on the specific task (painting eyes, blending cheeks, etc.) and then just using the Tamiya fine 87048 for the bulk of the more general coverage.

More general colours have been added here and some further work on the faces. Trying to vary the different looks of the different leather garments, too. Adding mostly highlights and a few shadows at this point, with some more highlights and textures to follow hopefully soon. Cheers!


Tamiya sable Pro II ultrafine on the left, Winsor & Newton Series 7 000 middle, Tamiya HF 80048 on the right.

[lcarroll]

    Wonderful work on the figures as always Gary, I really enjoy watching your work on a part of the hobby I am completely in awe of! Hoping to see some of your latest subjects in Edmonton in a couple of weeks?
Cheers,
Lance

[gedmundson]

    Wonderful work on the figures as always Gary, I really enjoy watching your work on a part of the hobby I am completely in awe of! Hoping to see some of your latest subjects in Edmonton in a couple of weeks?
Cheers,
Lance

Thanks Lance - I was hoping you'd be heading to the show in Edmonton. I will be there.

[NigelR]

That's looking very good Gary. I learned a lot from Mike's book but I really struggled getting the texture into small scale figures. I think you are definitely getting there.....

[macsporran]

I run out of superlatives with your figures, Gary.
These faces are so realistic.
Wonderful work.
Sandy

[gedmundson]

Sandy & Nigel - thanks as always for your encouraging comments.

I've decided that these two fellows are complete now and wanted to share some photos before adding them to a display with the Sopwith Triplane which is nearing the finish line. I have to admit that I'm never entirely satisfied with a painted figure...there's always an improvement to add or something to enhance with a few more touches of paint here & there. Almost forgot that the liner of the mechanics jerkin was a khaki material and not leather! Always hoping to improve on my next effort.
Cheers,
Gary

[NigelR]

Those look good to me, I can definitely see improvement. You've got some textures in the uniform without going over the top, and I really like the way you handled the leather on the pilot's coat, very effective. These will go great with your Tripe.

Figure painting really is something you need to do a lot and as multi-subject modellers that creates challenges for us that pure figure modellers don't have. I too always see things I can do better/differently with every figure I complete, so as long as you feel you are improving than that's a good thing! 

[gedmundson]

Those look good to me, I can definitely see improvement. You've got some textures in the uniform without going over the top, and I really like the way you handled the leather on the pilot's coat, very effective. These will go great with your Tripe.

Figure painting really is something you need to do a lot and as multi-subject modellers that creates challenges for us that pure figure modellers don't have. I too always see things I can do better/differently with every figure I complete, so as long as you feel you are improving than that's a good thing!

Thanks Nigel - and I completely agree with you about continued practice and improvement.

I've placed the figures by the completed Triplane for a final pic.
Cheers!

[Umlaufmotor]

This figure painting - simply brilliantly good.
The expressiveness is phenomenal and looks incredibly lifelike to me.
...... These little details such as the metal eyelets in the holes where the belt buckle is pierced on the pilot's coat, or the oil stains on the mechanic's clothes - simply brilliant.
Moreover, these two figures are excellently modeled.

Servus
Bertl