101st AIRBORNE AT CARENTAN, JUNE 1944

[Leon]

Your painting skills are awesome Steve!

[reserve]

Knockin 'em out Z lookin fine

[Steve Zuleski]

Thanks, leon, I appreciate the kind words.

Mark, thanks, Buddy! I am really looking forward to the groundwork, which could make or break a good set of figures.

[reserve]

I got faith you'll do it well

[Steve Zuleski]

Mar 8, 2023 0:12:32 GMT -5 reserve said:

I got faith you'll do it well

I will take my time and do it right

[Steve Zuleski]

Hank Reporting for Duty



Hank is ready and in the mood to get busy with this scenario. I’m calling him done minus a slight touch up at the base of his neck and a slight darkening of his bayonet.

Here’s a few in-progress photos before his legs were worked, but the process has been the same as Freddie. The Khaki tone is slightly more towards the tannish tone range compared with Freddie. Billy will be right next to Freddie when I mix the palette for him. Since these two will be right next to each other I don’t want any noticeable tonal variations.



Hank will now be set aside in the cabinet to await his fellow jumpers. I really don’t feel like playing with a broken bayonet, so he won’t be staying in the model bunker.





Thanks for watching and holler if you see anything I may have missed.

Cheers, Ski.

[Steve Zuleski]

Billy Bob, from Kentucky, is Ready for Duty, with a Smile, or a smirk!



Billy was handled in the same manner as Hank and Freddie. Close attention was paid to the palette tones this time around to get as close as possible to his mate, Freddie. Like I mentioned before, redressing color tones on the palette can be a pain, but I recon we’re mighty dang close on this run. After all, they are standing next to each other in this scenario, they need to be looking like they got their uniforms at the same time.



The format for painting Billy was simple enough, just do it again, for the third time, lol. The one gripe I have is the right hand, it’s rather kinda “Bozo” in appearance, but oh well, Ruck On. There really isn’t much I could do about it short of a re-sculpt and I have not talent in that arena.

Here Is the trio front and center in a group photo. I am happy with the results so far.



Now it’s time to get into the splinter camo pattern of the SS and get to work on “Bob”. Ya, that’s right, a German Bob. Lol, I can hear it already, or again, like it hasn’t been brought up before,….. a German “Bob”? Ya gotta remember, this is a comical scenario which will be evident soon enough. I’m having fun on this trip.

Thanks for watchin. Cheers, Ski.

[`Boots`]

Well now that i`ve picked my jaw up off of the floor , i can honestly say that is stunning figure work right there Steve....probably some of the best i`ve seen!!, been a while since i`ve seen some of your work bud and a real pleasure to see ya still kicking it outta the ball park fella.

[mustang1989]

This is truly artwork in its finest form. I know you'll be able to tell the discrepancies but I'll be danged if I can see 'em. You and the guys over at PF have definitely got all this figured out. lol. Pardon the accidental pun. I love watching everthing in this thread come together Steve. Master class work man.

[reserve]

Fine work brother

The only thing I can think of is they might want a little dust on their boots and lower legs

[buddho]

Frickkin masterpiece....holy cow, Steve!

[Tobi]

I imagine Billy Bob was on guard duty the night before, he looks somewhat tired around the eyes.
So incredibly lifelike.

[Steve Zuleski]

Apr 1, 2023 18:19:53 GMT -5 `Boots` said:

been a while since i`ve seen some of your work bud and a real pleasure to see ya still kicking it outta the ball park fella.

Thanks, Boots. I'll keep crankin as long as I've got oils and light to work under. I'm having too much fun, actually.

Thanks, Joe! PF has some serious talent over there, go figure, Ha! Pun back at'chya.

Thanks, Mark. They will all get a meshing with the base before any final pics. I find it easier to save that for last, adjustments are much easier then.

Tanks, buddho!

Yes Tobi, it was a good choice to swap for this head vs the original. I like his lazy eyes.

[Steve Zuleski]

Oh, Bob,…What Were You Thinking?

It’s been a long run, but not longer than most. We’re done with the figures, finally, and Bob has rounded up the crew to wrap up this set of figures. This was my third run at the splinter pattern and it get’s easier each time. Once the initial pattern is laid down the rest is just a matter of keeping the liner brush straight when making the splinter strokes. No, it’s not easy, but it’s just as matter of staying focused on each and every stroke.








I’m satisfied with the results, so carry on we will,………… The shadows and highlights are a simple matter of blending in some dark oils in the creases and lighter tones of the initial coat base onto the high points. The helmet decals were printed to scale and touched up with oils for more clarification.

Let’s make some Whiskey bottles, Champagne, or even some vino bottles, shall we? Let’s make em. Here’s how;
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvpIQCau3xY



This was a pretty slick way to get a few more extras into the scenario, so just a bit of practice and we’re good. Good thing my pretty little woman had some glue sticks in her inventory. After making the bottles I used Tamiya’s clear colors to make the bottle tones, simple enough. I ran a search for WWII French bottle labels and printed them up and glued them in place. The possibilities are numerous, but this scale worked for me this time since I’ve never seen 1/16th or 120mm wine bottle anywhere, just scratch built.

Time for dirt work and veggies, and then the base will be ready for figure placement. Now the show begins, cause if this ain’t right, it’s all in vain, and we didn’t come this far to jack it all up, did we? Ruck On, Bby!

More to follow soon. Cheers, Ski.

[mustang1989]

I enjoy the way you take the time to explain pretty much everything that you're doing here Steve. Unbelievable realism and attention to detail. That video of making the wine bottles is off the frickin' CHARTS!!! Very cool and thanks are in order for sharing that. NICE!!!

"ALL THE WAY" Steve!! 

[Steve Zuleski]

Thanks, Joe. Working the base now

[mustang1989]

Apr 16, 2023 11:55:43 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Thanks, Joe. Working the base now

Ohhhhhh boy!! Looking forward to this......

[tcoat]

[Steve Zuleski]

Collar correction;

[chromdome35]

Now your just bragging!!!

What phenomenal work Steve. I'm in awe.

[mustang1989]

Apr 17, 2023 12:05:11 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Collar correction;

Some really fine detailing going on with this guy. Love the camo work on the parka Steve. One day.......one day I hope to be able to pull this kind of work off. Still having fun with the glossy stuff but will be working my way to it.

[`Boots`]

Heck yeah!!........that is how you do it, absolutely sooooooperb work on every square inch of this Steve

[Steve Zuleski]

Thank you, Gentlemen! Base work is in progress, pics posting soon. But, I don't want to give away the scenario just yet, lol.

[reserve]

Tease

[mustang1989]

Apr 20, 2023 14:03:27 GMT -5 reserve said:

Tease

LOL 

[Tojo72]

Can't say enough about these guys,faces are unbelievable

[tcoat]

Apr 20, 2023 14:03:27 GMT -5 reserve said:

Tease

[martslay]

Perfectly!

[Tobi]

Apr 17, 2023 12:05:11 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Collar correction;

The work is again outstanding, but SS soldier dressed in a Luftwaffe Splinter Zeltbahn is at least for me a little odd to look at.

[Steve Zuleski]

Yep, understood, but as many have noted on other sites and photo research reveals the mishmash of the 17th SS Panzergrenadiers, it was not uncommon to see the splinter pattern or the helmet markings.