Thought I could show a nice progression for this last guy.
Basic parts assembled



First app. of epoxy putty and PE added



Second app. of putty with volume added to trouser legs,rip in right leg,etc.



Primer brings it home and ties it all together.





Time to slap some paint on this guy.
J

Really like this figure. The face, the pose, he just looks right. Let's see how you bring him to life with a bit of paint.

Thanks Paul,
Last night Dr Frankenstein brought him to life,as you say.

Just a bit of fun with props around him. The helmet is not finished.






I used my new set of AK splittermuster paint. I love these sets. I think the colors are spot on!



For once,I was actually trying to get the pop-eyed look from my beginner days! LOL
Did I say how much I love these AK paints? Another reason to miss Avenel Hobbies.
J

Hi Jerry,

Great work he looks the part.

Al

unbelievable work, as always Jerry. really looking forward to seeing the final product, but enjoying the updates along the way.... keep 'em coming!

Oh wow- that look on his face is of pure horror- you've really given him a fantastic expression Jerry. The splittermuster is excellent too- I think I will have to check out those AK paints as the colors look spot-on. The wound on his lower leg is also really carefully rendered too- it looks very realistic- I was just wondering though- would there/should there be more blood on the trousers next to the wound?

Alan and Mike---thanks as always guys for the nice remarks.
Karl-You have to love those Hornet heads and now I can do them sort of justice with my optivisor!! LOL
I think you are correct about the blood soaked trousers. I did paint the bottoms as if gravity made the blood flow down into that area but I suppose the initial impact of the shrapnel would get it everywhere? I will have to experiment. Made a few tree branches last night and a few more debris-oriented items as well. Final touches in the making. Never thought I'd see the day!
J

That's excellent, Jerry.

The etched straps really make a huge difference.
Kind of running out of good things to say about this.

Cheers,

Sean

Hi Jerry,
I like him a lot.
My bf 109 build is nearly finished so I can start on the Dragon snipers,my aircraft build is glacial speed.

I'm interested in now you do/did the ripped trouser and leg,on this fella any photos tips etc,

Cheers


Chris

Jumpin' jiminey, Jerry- that poor little b@astich! Superb work, as ever. Cheers!

Fantastic work J and you right the colors are spot on.

Cheers

Kurt

Hi Jerry,

I've been trolling around your recent postings for a while - as you know, I'm a big fan of your process - build through paint - you're just so damn good at these guys!

There's so much going on with the recent guy (above) he's almost a scene all by himself!!! Really great, and inspiring work. Thanks for keeping us all in the "loop" of your process and for sharing the results!

Cheers
Nick

Hey Jerry,

This last figure is quite impressive from the pose to the expression on his face (the Hornet heads really help) as well as the loose strap hanging from his harness. He looks like he has been through the wringer.

Great job.

Cheers
James

Smallish update. It has been so nice outside lately it's been hard to stay in the basement! Plus,a nice little wine tasting jaunt to the Finger Lakes took some days. I even made it over into Canada for the first time to see their side of the Niagara Falls. Awesome every time.

@Sean-I like to use the PE straps and have tried to show them in several positions in the last few builds. Thanks for noticing buddy.
@Chris-Thanks for the kind words but sorry,no WIP pics of the tear in the trousers. I dremeled the pant leg away and then added the peeled back position of cloth with putty,if that helps at all? You can also use foil.
@Chuck-thanks old buddy,for checking in as always
@Kurt-Yeah man,you should check these paints out for sure.
@Nick-thanks for the kudos man. Can't wait to see what new stuff you unleash on us.
@James-thanks for noticing the straps. I had a hard time with the left one that is curled over. It would have to go that way as they were not elastic. I also leaned the ammo pouches forward as if the full load would do in real life. I have this mania about showing weight as you may know.
I realized when viewed from the front the dio needed more of a focal point and interest directing point as it were. So I found these two guys from the great Dragon set of Kursk panzer survivors. They were wearing the black wool wraps so I am in the midst of changing them to the green dungaree suits with smaller lapels and added pockets.





The standing guy has a Hornet head that I am adding a mutze to so he still needs hair. The other guy has the kit head. They both have a lot left to do.

These two are posed really well. I like the expression on the standing guy- it really suits his pose and his arms are very natural looking in the way they are supposed to be. The kneeling guy clutching his thigh- I assume he is wounded- is a real show-case of your work Jerry- right down to the way you have his thumb creasing his thigh pocket as he clutches his leg. His right arm and head also give the impression he is leaning heavily on that side with his hand pressed flat to the ground.

Hi Jerry,

These recent installments are outstanding! This just keeps getting better and better. As said above, details and painting are very convincing. Nice work!

—mike

Karl and Mike,
Thanks for checking in and the nice words. Karl,I can only take credit for the cosmetic changes on these guys. Turned them into dungaree wearing instead of black panzer wrap wearing guys. The basic poses are right from the box. I added a new head to the standing guy and changed the position of both heads of course and the right arm of the standing guy as well. Still have to add shoulder straps and belt buckles,etc. Some buttons,hair,etc. Looking at the guys I did almost 4 years ago in this dio I can see I have improved over the years. That is a good sign I hope! LOL
I am trying to challenge myself more.I would really like to try to someday be able to show the "dirty" effect of guys in the field for weeks and months. The clothing gets very dirty and also sweaty,resulting in the fabric getting very pliable and hanging down more with weight. I have experienced something like this at the NTC in California when I went for two weeks without a shower in the high desert. I can only imagine being on the line for months and becoming even dirtier and lice ridden like th Ostfront guys or the AfrikaKorp guys.
Sorry for being long winded today.
J

This whole thing has just taken on a life of its own by now! Just when I think it's near the end another little chapter to it starts. I've got to say that FJ figure is one of my favorites in this scene, really really well done there- I might have to get that paint set. I really love the whole scene this is building into. I often read where it says not to have so much happening in one diorama, but you've managed to make this diorama one gigantic exception.

Been a while since I left my two cents, but I'm still eagerly watching.

-Conor

Well Conor!
Nice to see you back again. It HAS been a while.
Thanks for the kind words. I have fought off the impulses to just finish this. I want to try to improve each thing as I go and not cut corners as Claude would advise.
Thanks for your kind words little brother. When are you going to get done with school so you can concentrate on the more important stuff like modeling? Heheheh?
J

You make a very valid point there Jerry. This is something I've often wondered about and experimented with in terms of painting in 1/35 and in larger scales. Getting that particular look in terms of the actual details sounds like a very interesting way of tackling it.

Thanks Karl,
I will one day maybe be up to that challenge! I think I would have to start from scratch though.


Here is some more roadside cast-offs,etc. Still needs some paint on some stuff.



I am pretty happy with the shredded boot and the smashed ammo can. Tried to make it look like an armoured vehicle or two ran over it.

More work on the two newest guys as well. This guy got shoulder straps,hair and pocket flaps,buttons,etc. Needs more work on the hair.



This guy got a PE roundel and eagle on his hat along with a PE belt buckle and more buttons. Putty pocket flaps and hair with lead foil straps,undershirt and belt.



Quick little composite




Sorry for the blurry pics!
J

Nice series of additions and personal kit there Jerry. Good selection of wounded troops - all coming along really well.

Great work.

Al

Thanks Al,
Can't wait to see which of your many WIPs you regale us with next.
Here are the last two done except for some dust.







First time I tried to replicate the crinkly edges of a dungaree jacket. Sort of OK I suppose.
J

Very nice Jerry! I especially like the run-over boot and gear — nice touch.

—mike

That was quick! What paints did you use for them? AK or Vallejo? Whichever they were, they worked. Worked well. As for school and stuff I'm going to be back at it in September for 2 years until I get my bachelors in history and teaching. Can you guess what I want to do? Hahaha. Seeing this project coming together makes me want to get back to the bench... Soon.

-Conor