Das Boot (Figures and Gun Deck)

[tcoat]

Jul 11, 2023 8:25:10 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Wow, the poster pics are awesome, tcoat. Uh, I've seen many works on P&P that have done such color variations or similar on other busts, etc., but that involves more work than my brain could handle, lol. That would be a wild vignette if somebody could pull it off.

Yes Andy, I will be breaking out the movie to get motivated. I'm getting there, slowwwwly.

I'm gonna' give it a try in the blue tones.

$20 on AliExpress (if it actually comes of course)

www.aliexpress.com/item/33003584002.html?gatewayAdapt=Msite2Pc 



Would look really good behind my U96

[stikpusher]

Here's a suggestion TC... buy and paint the bust normally, then display it in a shadow box with red overhead lighting for display behind your U-96.

[tcoat]

Jul 11, 2023 13:40:15 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Here's a suggestion TC... buy and paint the bust normally, then display it in a shadow box with red overhead lighting for display behind your U-96.

[stikpusher]

Well you could build a section of bridge area wall with all the panels and plumbing for a proper background in the shadow box to make it more challenging....

[tcoat]

Jul 11, 2023 13:51:49 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Well you could build a section of bridge area wall with all the panels and plumbing for a proper background in the shadow box to make it more challenging....

Defeats the purpose of attempting to model the poster though. 
Would love to do it with the one Steve has but they don't seem to exist for sale anymore. 

[Steve Zuleski]

Jul 11, 2023 14:00:38 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Jul 11, 2023 13:51:49 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Well you could build a section of bridge area wall with all the panels and plumbing for a proper background in the shadow box to make it more challenging....

Defeats the purpose of attempting to model the poster though. 
Would love to do it with the one Steve has but they don't seem to exist for sale anymore. 

I say go for it, TC. But for me, without classical color theory or any appreciable art courses under my belt, attempting this type of color scheme is a bit above my pay grade, so to speak, lol. It is always an option for later down the road. I wouldn't rule it out completely, but my facial skills need quite a bit more work before I attempt this type of paint work. I can imagine it's a bit mind bending to capture that color scheme and would take considerable practice to accomplish.

[Steve Zuleski]

Facial Work, Lt. Werner

Now that the gun deck has been worked to a semi-final stage it’s time to start oiling some faces and get this set going. Lt. Werner, the war correspondent, is first on the bench. I think Jeff got really close to the facial expression and features of this actor. The scene depicts a wind-swept and water-soaked deck which comes across nicely with this face in particular.

Using my standard mix of Winsor & Newton oils of Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber, and Burnt Umber, for the basic flesh tones, I started with the area around the eyes and worked my way around the face. I always use acrylics for the eye work themselves because of the drying time. If corrections are needed the process goes much smoother using acrylics; oils would get messy in such a tight space.



I kept the flesh oil application very light initially and will add the red cheeks and rosy tones in a few days. The beard still has a lot of work needed as does the eyes and the area around the mouth. Most of the final touches will be feathered in when the sheen has faded making it much easier to see the areas needing direct attention. It is important to remember that sub crews did not see daylight for extended periods of time so the flesh tones should reflect that fact. I don’t want them looking ghostly white, but I can’t justify a tan appearance either, lol.

It should also be noted here that this figure is squinting, so the eyes will not be so clearly visible. Yes, they are painted as per usual, but the working areas is very small on this particular face. Lt. Werner will be set aside for now as I get started on the next figure in the line-up.

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

[406 Silverado]

First off Steve, thank you for explaining your processes regarding face painting as its truly appreciated. Secondly, I like the idea of acrylic paint usage for the eyes to keep things from getting messy. Some very good shadowing and flesh effects happenin' bud.

[deafpanzer]

I L-I-K-E it!

[stikpusher]

Ski, now you’re just being modest in understatement. In one post you say your fave painting skills need more work. In the next post, you show off another beautifully painted face that you have done. Honestly I don’t know how you can improve your skill level in this technique. It is already masterful.
Keep up the fire!

[tcoat]

Jul 12, 2023 12:02:37 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Ski, now you’re just being modest in understatement. In one post you say your fave painting skills need more work. In the next post, you show off another beautifully painted face that you have done. Honestly I don’t know how you can improve your skill level in this technique. It is already masterful.
Keep up the fire!

[Steve Zuleski]

Lol, thanks, Gents, I appreciate the kind words.

Stik, I appreciate that, Amigo, but if you've seen some of the work over at Planetfigure or Putty&Paint, you’ll see there is plenty to learn from a considerable amount of seriously talented painters. My jaw drops often at the talent some of these guys and gals have, it’s astounding. But improving from the last project is what I concentrate on most in order to get as close to life like as possible. That doesn't always happen consistently, so I keep trying. I got a long way to go, Brother.

[Steve Zuleski]

Contrast and Depth

Well, I was going to start Number One’s face, but had an itch to continue to adjust Lt. Werner’s details for depth and contrast. The beard looks a bit on the light side, but that will be toned down. I know the character Lt. Werner actually has more of a red tone to his hair, but I like the blonde tone much better on this figure. Who knows, this may change yet again. Also, the eyes are bit off, but that will be adjusted later.



To get an idea of how Lt. Werner will look in his dark rain coat I went ahead and added a base tone to the rest of the figure. For the rain coat I Used Tamiya’s XF-63 German Grey and a mix of XF-8 Flat Blue and XF-2 Flat White for the jacket and trousers. This particular mix was left over from my initial Sub Gun Deck crew paint session and I prefer the slight bluish tone rather than the light grey. The scarf was given a coat of Red Brown XF-64.



I will make small adjustments to the face as time goes along, but for now, Lt. Werner will stand aside until all the rest of the figures have reached this stage. I prefer to keep the momentum going when painting faces and not get sidetracked if at all possible.

More to follow soon. Cheers, Ski.

[deafpanzer]

Loving it man! Please keep posting your process. The skin tone looks so great now. It was so cold and wet so it makes sense to add more red to the skin tone.

[chromdome35]

Steve, I love watching you bring life to these figures, it's a front-row seat to watching Van Gogh at work.

[406 Silverado]

Beautiful work on this so far Steve and I like how you deepened the facial features on this figure. A guy can learn alot in figure painting just by watching your thread alone.

[Steve Zuleski]

Jul 14, 2023 8:29:02 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

It was so cold and wet so it makes sense to add more red to the skin tone.

Thanks, Andy, a little goes a long way.

Jul 14, 2023 8:40:37 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

it's a front-row seat to watching Van Gogh at work.

Brian, thanks, Buddy. You are too kind, but I ain't got nothin on Van Gogh.

Jul 14, 2023 11:51:57 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

A guy can learn a lot in figure painting just by watching your thread alone.

Thanks, Joe. That's how I learn, watching the top dogs of the Sport.

[406 Silverado]

Jul 15, 2023 10:50:55 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Jul 14, 2023 8:29:02 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

It was so cold and wet so it makes sense to add more red to the skin tone.

Thanks, Andy, a little goes a long way.

Jul 14, 2023 8:40:37 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

it's a front-row seat to watching Van Gogh at work.

Brian, thanks, Buddy. You are too kind, but I ain't got nothin on Van Gogh.

Jul 14, 2023 11:51:57 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

A guy can learn a lot in figure painting just by watching your thread alone.

Thanks, Joe. That's how I learn, watching the top dogs of the Sport.

I thought YOU were the "top dog".

[Steve Zuleski]

I thought YOU were the "top dog".

of the candy stripers.

[Steve Zuleski]

Number One

Well, this may not actually be Number One, second in command, because that poor kid couldn’t grow facial hair to save his life, so it was more than likely an NCO or another Second Lieutenant. At any rate, he’s Number One for now.

Now that most of the rough-in facial work has been done there’s quite a bit more touch up needed, but that will be done later. The hands are still very rough in appearance, much has to do with the casting. It’s a very delicate area to try to clean up without breaking nearly every finger, so I will be doing my best to hide the deficiencies. Seam lines on the fingers are not what you would expect from a top line producer, but here they are. If it’s not seam lines, its serious slag, and it was not a fun process to get it even this far along. Onward and forward, right?




Just as I did with the first figure, I painted the trousers and coat a bluish grey base tone for perspective and dark tan on the boots. I still need to add red tones to the face, but for now I’m moving on to the Second Lieutenant figure.




It’s a shame this face is partially covered by the left hand, because this face has great features that could be better exposed. The next figure has a pair binos in his face, so his details will be obstructed as well. Heavy wind and water splash would make me cover my ugly mug too, I recon, HA!

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

[deafpanzer]

Excellent work! I swear I can feel his frustration based on his look that his crew is being reckless or not following the orders that I'd slap my own head.

[chromdome35]

Don't be too hard on yourself, this is excellent work.

I am already looking forward to seeing the final vignette.

[Steve Zuleski]

Aug 1, 2023 8:08:32 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Excellent work! I swear I can feel his frustration based on his look that his crew is being reckless or not following the orders that I'd slap my own head.

I would have to agree, they aren't wearing the safety belt. I wasn't going to add that in, too much work, lol.

Aug 1, 2023 10:53:25 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Don't be too hard on yourself, this is excellent work. I am already looking forward to seeing the final vignette.

No worries, Brian. I just want to knock this set out and move on.

[mrversatile]

I am joining this late but will be looking forward to the progress. I haven't been around here in a while but still remember some of your past projects and am in awe of your figure painting skills. I plan to jump into that genre at some point and your WIP's will surely help.

[406 Silverado]

That really DOES suck when you get what you would expect from manufacturers that are known for things like seam lines in the wrong places and excessive flash/ slag everwhere from reputable manufacturers. Still.....you're doing a great job of dealing with such issues and pulling off a magnificent project.

[Steve Zuleski]

Aug 2, 2023 10:04:08 GMT -5 mrversatile said:

I plan to jump into that genre at some point and your WIP's will surely help.

Thanks, Gil. If I can assist in any way, I'll do so. Just enjoy the process.

Aug 2, 2023 10:44:18 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

That really DOES suck when you get what you would expect from manufacturers that are known for things like seam lines in the wrong places and excessive flash/ slag everwhere from reputable manufacturers.

Tanks, Joe. I think JF's need to mass produce is going to hit him in the backside due to lack of quality. It's not the poses, or the incredible faces, it's the serious lack of detail lately, and of course, the sloppy quality control. I'm pushing thru this set, but I'm not having fun, not this time.

[handiabled]

This is crazy good! I'll be watching for more!

[Steve Zuleski]

Thanks, posting updates soon

[406 Silverado]

Aug 10, 2023 9:36:36 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Thanks, posting updates soon

I'm definitely looking forward to that Steve!

[Steve Zuleski]

Just a short update; painting is on hold while I'm "enjoying" cranking out some saw dust making two rocking horses for the grandkids. I needed a break from the bench and I'm having fun, too. So, when the ponies are done, I'll be back at the bench to finish this vignette. Here's a few pics so you don't think I was joshin yall, lol.




These are currently in the primer stage already. One will be a Mustang Paint, the other a Mustang Chesnut. Updates on the sub crew will follow the completion of these ponies.