Anglo-Norman Crusader 1189, Heroes & Villains, 1/12 scale

[nicusi]

Hi everyone, 

I miss this friendly forum, but I was so caught with professional business that my time for the hobby really vanished. Just a small pause and try to attack something else.
The bust is excellent casting, I chosen one of the helmets I liked more and started the usual work.
After a good washing with water and soap, the bust received a Vallejo 73602 Black as primer.
Then, I decide to work the metallics part. In case of some mistakes it's easier to clean the face or the textiles, but some mettalics on a face done is a really headache.
So, just drybrushing with Scale75 Black Metal then some 72094 Black Ink from Vallejo in all holes of the mailcoat. After that some drybrush with Scale75 Heavy Metal, limiting area. Finally, extreme lights on very limited points.
The result is bellow.
For the helmet, I started with drybrsuhing Black Metal. Then a lot of mixtures with Cobalt Alchemy, Trash Metal, 72745 Charred Brown and 70898 Dark Sea Blue from Vallejo. Still a lot to do untill I'll be happy.
Have a good time!
Nicolae

[TRM]

Work and life do have a tenancy of taking over sometimes! Great to have you pop in Nic! Excellent painting of the metal works! Looking forward to seeing this one progress!

[deafpanzer]

Believe me it is always great having you back. Hang in there Nicolae... glad you have your life priorities in the right order. That's why I take long breaks because of my boys.

Great start on the bust!

[nicusi]

Todd, Andi, my thanks for your kind words. Well, indeed, the hobby was somehow neglected this year. But, when I can catch a some free time, I snatch the brushes.

[dennis]

Great metal work Nicolae, glad to see you can get some modelling time. I am looking forward to seeing this develop.
Thanks for posting.
Dennis

[Leon]

Nice work on the helmet Nic!

Good to have you back.

[nicusi]

Dennis, Leon, thank you very much! Just some small steps, the helmet need more.
Kind regards,
Nicolae

[kaytermarram]

Hey Nic, glad you are not lost in the great unknown! And a double yes, I know those dificulties of life, had enough of them the last months... The Bust looks excellent! But maybe a question: Is a battle worn helmet that new looking?? Love the look, the metalls look great, but could it be they are a bit "to new"?

Frank

[nicusi]

Hi Frank!

As I said, don't worry, it's just the beginning. The helmet need a lot more work, of course will be worn, not new. In the end, I'll work with some pigment, it's about the the Third Crusade, the Accre siege, a lot of sand, dust. So, just wait for the final steps to see if you had to be worried or not !
Cheers,
Nicolae

[wouter]

Hi Nicolae, nice start you made there. Love the metallic paintwork so far!

Cheers

[wbill76]

Off to a great start Nic!

[kaytermarram]

Yep Nic, sounds good! So I am waiting with patience!

Frank

[nicusi]

Small progress!

[Leon]

Looking really good Nic!

[nicusi]

Many thanks, Leon. Just a step on a long highway (not to hell, I hope).
After a short period of summerschools, vacance with family at Black Sea, I came back to my projects.
This is the new stage of my Crusader from Heroes & Villains, a really great sculpt.
Some photos hope to speak better than me. The face is still unfinished, as you guess, worked with acryllics from Vallejo; the helmet need too some improvements.
Cheers,
Nicolae

[armorguy]

OMG there's my good friend Nicolae ! Yesss, and with a great bust brilliantly metalpainted so far.

I think you forgot to add the link of your last update's photo ?

Anyways, I'm always enjoying a good bust project thread !

Glad you're back fella !

[nicusi]

Warm thanks, my friend! Indeed, this year I was more absent, a lot to work, less time for the hobby. However, I tried to use the free time for some good projects. Also I prepared the first meeting of Romanian Figurine Painters, event scheduled for 19-21th August, here memorialulbalcescu.ro/. I'll come then with news and photos.
Who knows, maybe you'll be there in the coming years.
I resolved now the problems with the photos, by some mistery they refused to be attached.
Kind regards,
Nicolae

[wbill76]

Good to see you back at the bench on this one Nic! Nice progress.

[Leon]

Welcome back Nic! Nice to see you back painting again.The Crusader looks great.

[nicusi]

Bill, Leon, thank you for your kind words. Glad you like the first steps!
Nicolae

[armorguy]

That's strange, I didn't see the photos of the bust's face, holy cr.. what a stunning job so far, man that ginger beard looks so cool ! This is your best ever I think.

[nicusi]

Thank you, Guy, for your kind words. It's my 4th bust, so still a lot to learn and practice. I'm glad you like.
For the beard, I made a little pointillism with a 311 Milan brush no 2 and a few drops almost non diluted of Orange Brown and Chocolate Brown from Vallejo. In a very fine and controled way, only with the points. Hope to help you.
Cheers,
Nicolae

[dennis]

Nicolae, this guy is progressing really well, the metal work is very well done and I agree with AG the ginger beard is smashing and it is your best ever. Good luck with this at your first meet let us know how you get on.
Thanks for posting.
Dennis

[nicusi]

Thank you, Dennis, much appreciated. I made some progress but I'll wait for attacking the textiles too before posting again.
Warm regards,
Nicolae

[nicusi]

Still working on the face! I added too some more lights on the chain mail and I worked a little more on the helmet (some more dark areas made with a sponge touched with some Black Metal and Black; then some ink with Black and Blue (more Black); lights on the steel points).
A lot to do untill our meeting (http://modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/11454/miniaturized-history-romania-lcescu-museum?page=1&scrollTo=311109)!
Have luck to your projects!
Nicolae

[kaytermarram]

Steelwork is formidable, absolute stunning! And the face, full of character, great paintjob. And I think, the black areas will come out as good as the rest. This is rocking good!

Frank

[armorguy]

I keep jumping by to enjoy this bust's face !

[nicusi]

Frank, Guy, much appreciated!. I still have to range more precisely the whole area of face and blending more. Also to enforce some highlights! As you already noticed the face is a little unbalanced due to the position of the head. So I must be very carefull how to work and shaping correctly the dark and light areas. Still a very demanding exercise but I'll try to keep my good direction, I hope.
Cheers,
Nicolae

[nicusi]

If you thought I took a pause, let me say you're wrong. I am indeed very busy untill end of the year, but I try to get the brushes and launch sometimes an attack. Even that I'm not very pleased with the results or I have to put right a lot of details. But it's fun and I'm happy! That's all it matters, I think.

[armorguy]

Without a doubt, this is gonna be the best from your hand until now. You have reason to be happy it's a killer bust !