Working on the face and details

The last week I could work on the figure again and I changed the facial expression using a mix of Magic Sculp and Duro. I've made the nose a bit longer and made some more wrinkles on the cheeks and chin. Still a bit of more work to do here by adding a moustache and a bit more cheeks. I also sculpted the colpack, next I the red bag will be added. On the saddle cloth I started adding the details. The sword was carved from a 1mm polystyrene sheet. I'm hoping to achieve a bit more progress during the coming days.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Roman Aquilifer, 1st Century AD

This figure I prepared for the workshop faces which I gave a few week ago. It's a 54mm (closer to 60mm)Roman Aquilifer from Soldiers. Beautiful sculpted by Adriano Laruccia. I still have to do some small corrections but it's more or less finished. Here are the pictures.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Workshop figure painting

During the last AMSS show in Antwerpen I had a discussion with some dutch modellers about figure modeling in the Netherlands and the lack of painting workshops here. So the interest for such a workshop was investigated under the dutch modelers and we got good response. The project went to the next fase and Sander and I started organizing the workshop which was held on Saturday 21 May in Woerden. The subject for this day was painting faces with acrylics.

I had to wake up early in the morning because I still had a 1.5 hours drive to Woerden in front of me. After arriving I had chat with the rest, unpack and finally a cup of coffee.

Starting with some coffee

The demonstration

After some coffee the workshop started with a presentation and a demonstration. For the demonstration a 54mm face of Ramses II from Art-Girona was used.  A great character face sculpted by Adriano Laruccia.  After a demonstration of applying the highlights and shadows, the people started working on their own face. Accompanied with some nice music. Soon a good lunch arrived with soup and sandwiches. After a satisfying meal the group continued with work on their faces.

Painting Ramses face

The people working on their figures



The face I prepared for the workshop



After some hours of painting, talking, making fun and looking at each others work it was already time to finish. We ended the day with some drinks and snacks and  a chat. Below you can see the pictures of the work (in progress) done during the day. 

I had a great time, thanks to all the people and to Sander for the excellent organization!

Cheers,

Marcel.

More work done on figure and horse

The last weeks I have worked on the horse and the figure. I started sculpting the tail for the horse and did some adjustments on the saddle and sculpted some reins. For the figure I sculpted the folds of the jacket around the arms and made a start with the hat. The next step is to sculpt the fur texture on top. But still a lot of work to do.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Sculpting the saddle

The last two weeks I didn't had much time to model but the last couple of days I could work on the saddle and saddle cloth. Some measuring, sculpting, fitting tests and adjustments were necessary to achieve a good fitting of the rider on the horse with the saddle cloth in between. Furthermore some details were added. Now the remaining details have to be added and finish the horse. Here are the pictures.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Painting the face

The face of this figure was already primed some time and was desperate waiting to be painted. Inspired by the stunning paintwork of Jaume Ortiz on this figure few years ago I decided to try it myself. I first started  placing the rough highlights and shadows on the face and continued blending all the transitions. This is the current status of the face. I still have to paint the eyebrows, eyes and lips and do some more blending in around the mouth area.

Cheers,
Marcel.

working on the horse

After positioning the figure in the desired pose on the back of the horse I continued fixing horse head on top of the body. The horse body and head are a resin copy of an commercial figure which was done by Andrea Iotti several years ago. The transition from the body to the neck was smoothed using MS. The rear horse feet are added and re-sculpted. One of the front legs still have to be replaced and finally the ears have to be added.

Cheers,

Marcel. 

Working on the upper torso

I did some minor work on the legs adding some details. Next I started sculpting the jacket and added the belt around the waist. Still have to do some smoothing before I add all the details. Here some pictures of the current status.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Female Fantasy Crusader Finished

I finished this figure just in time for AMSS show which was held over a week ago. Were it was displayed in the fantasy category. At the end of last week I finally found some time to make the pictures. This was my first fantasy piece and it was a pleasure to paint it. For sure it will not be my last fantasy piece. Soon this figure will be released by REDEES Miniatures.

Cheers,

Marcel.

IPC AMSS 2011

Last weekend on 5 and 6th March I went to the 16th International Painting Contest organized by the AMSS in Antwerpen. It was excellent organized and it was a great show. Special guest this year was Danilo Cartacci which gave a seminar on Saturday. It was great to see the master at work. When you see him painting it looks so simple.

I was also great to have a chat with the people I normally only see on the different forums. There were around 400 high quality figures in competition. I entered four of my figures in the open and fantasy category and was lucky to win a silver medal in the open category. Best of show this year went to 'Busted' from Marijn van Gils. Which was a stunning boxed diorama about a husband who finds his wife in bed with somebody else. And it was hardly impossible to photograph, you have to see it.

It was a great event and hopefully I can be their next time again.

Here are some pictures of figures in competition:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=108141&id=1367446367&l=2a7f7a64ab

Cheers,

Marcel.