Thanks for your kind comments guys! Very appreciated. Stefan, I can't wait to see pics of the painted soldiers.

Keep on building!



P.S. How old did you think I was???!!!

Q,
Based on your postings, the fact that you started a campaign, and the quality of your builds, I took you to be anywhere from 25 - 45.

While touching up an MP-40 sling and helmet straps for a BMW R75 to be entered next week, I went ahead and painted the knight's belts, straps, sword sheath and other leathery bits. If I find time in the next few days I'll get update pics posted.

Keith

Hi all!

So, seems I'm the first one to get done with this...

Here's the overall view:


The ribbons are those awarded for my grandfathers service in Korea. The Combat Infantryman's Badge is not an original, it's a bit smaller. The plaque states the title and unit my grandfather served in.


A period photo ond the story depicted in the scene as background info (no pun intended...).

And some detail shots:


The guy in the back (with the M2 Carbine) would be my grandfather.



Sorry for the photo quality, the natural light was appearantly not that good. Might have to redo them sometime.

Cheers!
Stef

Like Keith said, anywhere between 20 and 45... When you said you had problems posting pics I figuerd you were probably older, not younger...

Keep up your good work!

Cheers!

Stefan. WOW!!! Great diorama, the figures look great, as does the base. I will give feedback later as I am in California with my grandparents on vacation. It is also quite hard to type on an iPod.

Later

Yes Stefan, that does look great! The figures, base, ribbons, story boards all come together and work wonderfully. You've done your grandpa proud!

Painted the breeches and leather. I'll try to get to the weathering on the straps and gloves soon. And the chain mail while I'm at it. And his face. (I hate doing faces)

Hi all, thanks for the comments. Decides to make some new pictures, so here goes:









Looking forward to some more entries here! Keith, nice knight. Will you paint the family crest by hand?

Cheers
Stef

Stef,
I plan on hand painting the crest on his tunic and shield, after I build his shield. I'm not happy with the one supplied with the kit.

Update--Leather weathering done and a burnt umber wash applied to the armor plates and chainmail. The wash helped tone down the brightness of the armor and IMHO it looks more like steel now.

I think I finished the face. They have always been my weak(est) spot. Should I leave it as is? Is there anything I could do to improve it? Or make a blank, cloth shroud to cover it like a mannequin-type display in a museum? (He will be standing on a display base).
A piece of coffee filter paper molded over the head with white glue and painted black?

Keith

What kind of colors are you using? You should try getting some more shades of skin color on it. Right now it's too pink I think. Then, depending on the type of colors you're using you should blend them to get an even flow from one color to another. Not easy to explain in a few words... Check out this feature here on Armorama:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/2274

I wouldn't make a mannequin out of it...

HTH!
Cheers!

Stefan,
Thanks for looking and for the advise! The paints used were Tamiya and Modelmaster. You can't tell by the pic (flash wash-out), but there is a flesh tone base coat, a darker brown/tan wash, and a light tan drybrush over his brow, cheeks and nose. I just don't know how to get them too blend together. Besides the face his lips look too pink also. I will check out that link and try some of the techniques.

I also think the eyes look too big, but there is no way I can paint anything smaller. I had to use a sharpened toothpick to dab on the white highlight above each pupil.

Keith

Okay, I tried some of the techniques spelled out in the link and here are my results.
In no way am I saying the instructions don't work. I just need more practice.

Painted the crest on the tunic. Needs a little touch up, but I'm pleased with it. Sorta has a medieval embroidered look. What do ya think?

Nice, I like it! If you have noticed that I haven't been posting much it was because I have been busy lately. You will hear from me more now!

M4A2Sherman

Q (and anyone else who is following along),
Here's an update. He is not completely finished yet. Displayable, but not done.



I still plan on adding a shield. Here is a concept shot.


The shield may be a bit oversized, but this way it is tall enough to be held by his hand.

Keith, looks great, vast improvement over the first try, if I may say so! The metal effect looks greast too! As for the shield, it can never be big enough if it's pupose is self protection...

Cheers!
Stef

Really nice knight you have going on here. I am currently working on grandpa himself.

Knight Update:
I did some surgery and got rid of the 'Giraffe neck' look by reshaping the chin piece and taking a few millimeters off his head. Now he better resembles photos of the real armor and authentic drawings from that period.


Work on the shield goes on. It's almost finished. On the left is the bare plastic and metal taped edges on the front, then the wood on the obverse, the front painted, and then a close-up from the family crest.

My ancestral knight is done. Here he is in all his glory....


And with the family crest:


Thanks Q for starting this campaign. I had a good time and it motivated me to get to this kit and get it finished.

Keith

Keith

Good work on that knight, I like it a lot! So you're second, wonder where all the other participant's projects are!? Not much more than 20 days left...

Cheerio!

Thanks Stefan,
Hmm, I didn't realize that we were the only ones done. And time is running out. Yeah, where is everybody? It's like a ghost town with tumbleweeds blowing through...

Keith

Hi all,

I have just finished grandpas universal mk2! Unfortanetely, I had to leave them at the show and have a friend get them. (My dad couldn't drive me back because of an eye injury), so the pictures won't be the best yet.



Here is grandpas face:


I will have more pics up later!

M4a2sherman.

P.S. DEADLINE IS CLOSE FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT DONE!

M4A2Sherman,
Wow! Looks good. Can't wait for the better shots.

Again, the workmanship on the face belies your young age. I wish my knight came out half that good. Did you use oils? I gotta get me some.

How did the model do at the show? Bring back any awards?

-Keith

Well, I got first becasue no one else was in the category. (Wish i had some competition)

Actually, I did not use oils, my mom gave me the "YOU HAVE TO CLEAN THEM UP WITH TURPENTINE AND IT MAKES A MESS AND IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH!" lecture. I used tamiya and vallejo acrylics.

Here are the steps:

1) Base with Vallejo flesh
2)Make a red-brown wash (roughly 1:1) and spread over face.
3)Use dark brown for shadows
4) Make highlights using flesh and a little yellow, red if needed.
5)Paint eyes and lips. For lips use a mixture of flesh and red and possibly pink. Keep it subtle, painting only the bottom lip and leaving the upper in shadow.
6)If you want, use a dark grey wash for a 5 o'clock shadow.

May I recommend you get the book "making armor dioramas" by Lynn Kessler kalmbach publishing, this is wear I got the technique from.

Try it out!