101st AIRBORNE AT CARENTAN, JUNE 1944

[chromdome35]

I don't see anything at all wrong with them, they look perfect to me

[Steve Zuleski]

I understand what you're saying, Brian, but it was bugging me and now they're fixed. It's not like redoing a US woodland camo pattern all over again, done that before, HA!

[mustang1989]

I really wasn't trying to correct anything as much as I was bringing the topic up Steve. lol 

Once you blew the photo up I could see what you were seeing though. I've got a book on figure painting and have wanted to do it several times but could never cross the line to carry it out. I may try to paint a figure or so on my Kingfisher build coming up.

[Tobi]

It's different, but I'm sure you will be enjoying it.

Usually I try to include a figure in all my builds to give a sense of scale.

[Steve Zuleski]

No worries, Joe. You may not have intended to point out that flaw, but I saw it right after you mentioned it. This hobby is a learning process for me and that "third eye" is always appreciated. Call em out when ya see em, I say. Constructive criticism is essential to the learning process, it's how we improve.

And Joe, I appreciate the fact that you were paying close enough attention to notice the minor details, and that is what counts.

And please don't think you've offended me or take my comments as being offended, on the contrary. This is how we learn in this "Sport", trial and error and clean it up, and do it again. You might freak out if you knew how many times I've already wiped clean some of these heads and started over. It gets frustrating at times, but it ain't gonna get done lookin at it, lol.

Ruck On, Bby!

[Steve Zuleski]

Breaking the “Glasses” Ceiling

I know some us can get carried away with detail and some of us just move on, but when the detail in literally “in your face” ya kinda gotta pay attention, IMHO. The set of glasses for the young lad on the right were a royal baby rump kisser, to say the least. Now that I’ve done this at least 7-10 times, or more, I can pretty much knock out a pair in about 15mins, sheesh! This thin copper wire takes a delicate approach or the whole thing goes to pot in a heartbeat and any prior work is caput.



The lenses for these glasses were made from a plastic envelope that protected a set of decals in my stash. It was the only thing thin enough to work in this scale realistically. I did make an attempt at using liquid water from Vallejo, but boy howdy was he wearing coke bottle lenses then, woof!

Ok, both heads shown are completed for now with most of the minor details already added. My attempt at adding in facial textures met with utter failure, so I will move on saving that technical approach for a 1/10th bust. There comes a time when you have to realize it just ain’t happenin, and move on. I will set these aside for now and finish the last two heads before I detail the helmets and move on to the bodies.



Yes, Goofy has been replaced by one of Steve Reedee’s 1/16th scale heads. This is a far cry from that ridiculous head that came with the figure. In a conversation I had earlier today regarding well sculpted heads, they pretty much paint themselves. I agree completely, but somebody still has to control the brush, HA!

Thanks for watchin, more to follow shortly. Cheers, Ski.

[mustang1989]

You had me lmao with that whole coke bottle lenses thing Steve. LOLOLOL!! Splendid work good friend. WOW!!! 

[Steve Zuleski]

Feb 4, 2023 19:53:34 GMT -5 mustang1989 said:

You had me lmao with that whole coke bottle lenses thing Steve. LOLOLOL!! Splendid work good friend. WOW!!! 

Ya, Buddy, when I added the water effect glasses it freaked me out, his eyes were huge!!! Tanks, Joe.

[Steve Zuleski]

Bart and Billy

The last two heads are in the final stages of completion, but still need some touch-up. Some may be wondering why name these guys. Well, as suggested by someone who paints a heck of a lot better than I, Mike-the-Kiwi said, “For me this association to real individuals helps create a creative connection deeper than just painting a resin figure.” I have to agree, and so far, I have been able to get past the “hump” on these faces. This is no different than full emersion when building a dio or a given scenario in the past, but I had never considered this concept when painting figures. Works great for me, I’m likin it! Thanks, Mike!

So, for now, these two faces will set up for a few more days, then the final touches will be worked in. Teeth need to be defined, rosy cheeks need a tad more work, and the lips also. I will feather in any weak areas before I call these done.

You may have noticed; Billy's face is from Steve Reedee's 120mm collection. Great work, Stevo!



The AB figures and Bart have their initial acrylic base coats. Time to research all of the gear and weapons for the correct color tones, etc. The splinter pattern for Bart will be a challenge given his poncho is not just hanging down like most, it’s got a lot of exposed areas to paint. Well, I recon it ain’t as bad as a Dennison smock, HA!



Thanks for watching, more to follow soon. Cheers, Ski.

P.S. The official names for these characters are; Hank, Freddie, Billy, and Bart

[reserve]

!!!

[handiabled]

Watching your figures come together is a masterclass in painting facial details

[mustang1989]

I hadn't seen this post yet but I dang sure do now!! Wow!! And I do mean me some WOW!!! Good Lord man!! Incredible work Steve.

[Steve Zuleski]

Feb 11, 2023 9:28:03 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Watching your figures come together is a masterclass in painting facial details

Thank you! Tanks, Joe.

With all the new postings I'm forgetting to check my own thread, doooeeee, and I even got it bookmarked, lol.

[Steve Zuleski]

Freddie’s Upper Torso

With the heads set aside to dry thoroughly it’s time to start on the figures themselves. I started with Freddie and will work through the rest of the team and finish off with “Bob”, the German figure. Yes, he’s now “Bob”, because he’s such a close resemblance to Bob Hope I couldn’t pass it up, HA! You’ll see that more closely later on.



The palette is primed and ready to go. I started on the front pockets, shoulders, and lastly the gear. Always working from top to bottom and inside to outside I am finishing everything that can be done on the first pass. This avoids any unnecessary handling of any portion that would have already been painted. If I had to go back to the buttons and zippers after painting the legs the chances of “rubbing off” paint from the legs is a high probability. This is not much of an issue with 1/35th scale or 54mm, but in 1/16th or 120mm and larger, it is, or at least for me it always had been. So, top to bottom, inside to outside, works every time.

The upper half of the torso section has the basic tones in place, so now it’s time to work the gear, buckles, straps, etc.



After the lower portion of the blouse has had its initial tone applied, I worked the rest of the gear. Also, I painted the rubbed brass on the buttons, zipper, added worn metal effect on the clips and buckles, and gave all these points a slight Ivory Black oil pin wash. This tones down the brass color and blends in the effect more realistically so the colors won’t appear overly exaggerated.

Now it’s time to work outward on the upper half of the torso and finish off each arm. I will wait to paint the hands until the end. I’m finding once again that I’m having to mix the color tones almost every third day and getting those tones exact from the prior session can be challenging. A slight variation can and will be noticeable, at least I can see it, and its rather time consuming to remix oils, so the point is to get all the similar tonal portions painted in sequence and save the flesh work for later.



Funny how some things can be elusive when you’re painting only to slap you in the face when you scrutinize the photos, like the Colt .45 ammo pouch which has a blaring gap between the back side and the blouse pocket. That will be handled shortly.

Ok, time to work the legs before I have to make another color mix, lol. Thanks for watching.

Cheers, Ski.

[Tobi]

I can recognize Bob. And I still say the cigarette guy is Ike! LOL!

Man, that web belt looks exactly like the one I have. You continue to amaze me.

[Steve Zuleski]

Thanks, Tobi. There is a slight resemblance to Ike, but Bob is definitely in the bag, as they say

Good to see that Fokker on the top banner, excellent work, me Hermano!

[Tobi]

Thanks, that Fokker was at 6 o'clock high with sun in her back. Didn't see her comin'! 

[chromdome35]

Steve, just amazing work you do.

What colors are you using to mix your olive drab?

[reserve]

Good stuff Z

[Steve Zuleski]

Feb 23, 2023 18:16:25 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Steve, just amazing work you do.

What colors are you using to mix your olive drab?

Thanks, Brian. Several oil colors are used, such as Olive Green, Burnt Umber, Burnt sienna, Titanium white, and several yellow shades. If you look at the pallet, you'll see it's mixed until you are happy with the tones. It's not an exact science, per se, but more of a close representation.

Thanks, Mark!

[mustang1989]

I umm....well I uh.....what tha?......Holy..........You gotta be......Suddenly I'm feeling..........................................

[Steve Zuleski]

Feb 24, 2023 19:39:40 GMT -5 mustang1989 said:

I umm....well I uh.....what tha?......Holy..........You gotta be......Suddenly I'm feeling..........................................

Lol, your killin me Smalls, yur killin me!

[Steve Zuleski]

Leg Workout

Now that the work area is larger, and less complicated without so many folds in the pants, this portion moves along much faster. Pre-shading can be seen on the front, back, and sides.



The end results with the boots and leg straps completed. Freddie’s head is ready to take possession of his body.



With the flag mounted and Freddie completed he will be placed in the curio cabinet awaiting the finish of the rest of the crew.




Hank is on the plate, “Batter Up!” I would ponder to guess this historical photo was the inspiration for Hank. Hank has been sculpted pretty close to this original, IMHO.



Pre-shading has been worked into the entire upper torso and blending of the tones begins.



More to follow soon and thanks for watching. Cheers, Ski.

[mrt51]

OUTSTANDING!!!!

[mustang1989]

Man........this just aint fair. You go and post stuff like this and I wanna git my cryin' towel out and throw a hissy fit.

Un....frickin' believable!!!

[Steve Zuleski]

Tanks, Mr. "T"!

Joe, hang tough, Buddy, it get's better!

[Tobi]

Extraordinary job as usual. I love the leather look on the boots and holster.

[Steve Zuleski]

Thanks, Tobi. A bit of Cadmium Orange blended in for flavor, lol.

[buddho]

Steve...your work is mindboggling...a big WOWSAS!!!

[Steve Zuleski]

Mar 4, 2023 16:25:53 GMT -5 buddho said:

Steve...your work is mindboggling...a big WOWSAS!!!

Tanks, Man!