Point Du Hoc

[Steve Zuleski]

This is the wonderful set: RM1602, US Rangers, Point Du Hoc, vignette from Reedees Miniatures in 1/16th scale. These resin figures and base are created and sculpted by Steve Reedees. This set can be found at: sites.google.com/site/reedeesminiatures/figuresaccessories/116-120mm

When you open the box the first thing you see is every parts set is carefully packaged and separated according to each figure within the set. The casting is incredible, and I’ve never seen anything but top-quality work coming from Reedees Miniatures, quality control is top shelf!

Call me biased, but I’ve worked with several of Steve’s figures, from 1/16th to 200mm, including weapons kits from the armory on his website. The kits have always been reliably well done, clean and crisp, requiring minor clean-up. This makes a painter like me very happy. BTW, the weapons are incredibly well done, too, and accurate. Did I say that already?

Seeing this set makes the painter in me want to get after it and get to “sniffin some paint and gluin my fingers together”. Sorry, I had to include my personally coined phrase on this set, it’s that good. Let’s just hope I can do it justice. So, here we go, let’s get er done!



As we get further along, I’ll add a few pics of the rock wall section. Wow, very well done and minor slag as can be expected, but nothing needing any serious adjusting or heavy filing. I’ll break each figure down so you can see the quality of the sculpting and casting.

Quick note; I ran a test fit on the two adjoined figures within this set, spot on fit. This is going to be a fun run from all indications, working on a very welcome planned and carefully sculpted set. Ruck On, Bby!

More to follow, mue pronto, and thanks for watchin. Cheers, Ski.

[406 Silverado]

Well......I asked what was next in your "Das Boot" thread and I got my answer right away when I looked at the "Recent Posts". Isn't it cool when a figure caster / model manufacturer takes to the extra time to get things right and make things easier for the modeler? I'm most certainly looking forward to this one and have already bookmarked the thread.

[Steve Zuleski]

Nov 9, 2023 5:46:18 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Well......I asked what was next in your "Das Boot" thread and I got my answer right away when I looked at the "Recent Posts". Isn't it cool when a figure caster / model manufacturer takes to the extra time to get things right and make things easier for the modeler? I'm most certainly looking forward to this one and have already bookmarked the thread.

Excellent, Joe. This ride won't be nearly as bumpy as the last. Off to the bench we go.

[handiabled]

Hazzah!! Another build to follow! Bookmarked!

[deafpanzer]

Hell yeah! I have been to Point Du Hoc and I was blown away how high the Rangers had to climb under fire! I am wondering if they make same set in 1/35 because I’d love to build it too!!!

[chromdome35]

OH YEA! Time to fire up the popcorn popper, grab a cold one, and watch the master at work.

[Steve Zuleski]

Thank you, Gents, more to follow mue pronto.

Andy, no 1/35th, but that would certainly help my curio cabinet space issue, lol.

[brandonk]

Okay, this is gonna be cool. Looking forward to seeing more of this.

[stikpusher]

I'm just waiting for the first paint to be slung...

[moramartht]

I am wondering if they make same set in 1/35 because I’d love to build it too!!!

Not quite the same, but are these guys any use?

archive.armorama.com/review/1697/index.htm

Cheers,

M

[Steve Zuleski]

Thanks, Guys. I'll be posting soon, almost ready for primer coat, yehaaa!

[kyledehart5]

Pulling up a stump so I can enjoy another masterpiece A la Ski

[Steve Zuleski]

Nov 12, 2023 7:42:47 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Pulling up a stump so I can enjoy another masterpiece A la Ski

Lol, thanks, Kyle.

[Steve Zuleski]

Getting Started

The first thing you’re going to notice from this set is how clean the cast is and the lack of serious seam work required. I only found a few areas requiring attention and most of those were found after the primer coat.

When you get a set of figures like this the clean-up process moves quickly and the fun begins much sooner. After all, we know there will always be some clean-up, but what we’re really after is the fun of painting. This is pretty standard for Reedees Miniatures. I am never disappointed, and the craftsmanship is incredible.



The climbing Ranger fit right into his slot and hung there without any form of aid, meaning, he is very well placed. The other two were temporarily set in place so I could get a general idea of how this set will end up on the base.

After the general clean-up I began test fitting the arms, hands etc. The way Steve worked these figures is impressive. The arm fits snuggly and fits well, avoiding the need for any putty or filing. You will also notice the support hand for the Sgt. fits into its sleeve and tucks right under the Tommy gun fore stock naturally. I can see there was a heck of a lot of time taken to make this grip look realistic. Once again, the craftsmanship is glaring on this set. You can see from these photos just how well the arms lock into the shoulder. There are also keyways and pins that assist in the alignment, another great plus.







The set is now ready for some primer and a final review of each piece to catch any seam lines or small casting holes. This process was quick and easy, not much had to be done.



Base Stand Set

For the base I pilfered a scrap piece of Rustic Hickory from the shop and cut it to size. I sanded it and pinned it to receive the base, then later covered it with blue masking tape to avoid scratches and dings. There was one small rope section that broke off which was replaced with twisted copper wire to match.



Primed and Base Coated

After a good coat of Floquil Primer and inspection I moved right on to the base coat. As you can see from the photo, I used Tamiya paints and made a few custom colors for web gear and other parts.



As per my standard process I will begin with the heads and move onto each figure in order. So, let the fun begin!



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

[stikpusher]

And we are off and running...! (or climbing... )

[Steve Zuleski]

Nov 12, 2023 15:27:09 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

And we are off and running...! (or climbing... )

Youza Bby!

[stikpusher]

I never would have thought of IJAAF Gray for figure work, but it makes sense... good choice!

[Steve Zuleski]

Nov 12, 2023 21:00:44 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

I never would have thought of IJAAF Gray for figure work, but it makes sense... good choice!

Roger that, Carlos.

Gray is a neutral color and can keep one from swinging heavy to either side of the color spectrum. Acrylic addicts often use black, for depth, I recon, but not for me and oils. It really is a preference. Daria explains this very well in her intro video, which is what I've been doing, foreeevvvveeeeerrrrrrrrrr, lol.
www.youtube.com/channel/UCyGgRLbgcXjON9ZS5DaqMOQ

[Steve Zuleski]

Let’s Face It, Again!

Getting started on the faces is always a re-learn process for me, regardless of how many faces I’ve painted in the past. It may sound like a pain in the hinny, but I’m used to it and expect it. This process is not a negative approach, but what I would call a warm-up session. So, I pick the likely candidate to be the ginny pig, or “crash test dummy,” and off I go. It’s always “crash and burn” on the first paint fling, so crash test dummy would be the appropriate term, HA!



My mix for the flesh work is very simple, as you can see from the palette, Windsor & Newton Burnt Sienna and Titanium White. To the left side of this string of tones I also have a small run for Brunt Umer and another for Raw Umber. These two darker tones are used sparingly to give depth where needed, such as above the eyes, under the lower lip, under the chin, behind the ears, and the inside of the mouth. Very rarely will you actually see a solid black tone in real life, so I rarely if ever use it on my flesh work. Working each shade from dark to light on the palette I now have the basic mixes for the flesh work. Time to fling some paint!



With the colors laid out on the palette I run an initial pass with a very light and very thinned shadow tone in all the deep recesses, then come back and lightly spread, or fan, those out with a damp brush. This process really needs to be very thin and light or they will all become crash test dummies in a hurry! I use a mix of Ivory Black and Raw Umber. After the initial shadows are placed it’s time to work the main flesh tones.



I didn’t take any sequential photos of the process, because I really don’t like to disrupt the momentum once I get into the grove, it kills the flow. I have taken SBS sequential photos in the past on prior builds, so I won’t be doing that on the facial work here. I will again refer to Daria Callie’s oil painting videos for quick reference.
www.youtube.com/channel/UCyGgRLbgcXjON9ZS5DaqMOQ

Yes, Daria works on canvas and we work three dimensional, but I find the concept is the same for oils. I found that by following the basic concepts of her approach I have eliminated a lot of the “heavy oiling”, or over painting, which can lead to a blotchy appearance if not corrected. If this video helps, good deal, and if not, forget about it.



There is still quite a bit of work to be done on both of these faces, such as feathering in more details, refining certain areas, but the initial passes have been made and the base tones will need to set up and dry for a bit.

One handy tool in the model bunker is the trusty Oven Cleaner. As you can see, this fellow is getting his bath for a re-do. Actually, this will be his second bath. It’s not uncommon to make three runs before I get back into the swing of things.



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

[tcoat]

[chromdome35]

Looking good Steve, I find myself wishing for a video of you painting faces. Are there any YouTubers you would recommend watching for face painting?

[kyledehart5]

“Crash test dummies” he says as he strips the paint off faces that look better than anything I could ever hope to recreate. 🤣🤣🤣 Looking forward to seeing when they’re the real deal.

[stikpusher]

Nov 14, 2023 9:11:42 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

They kind of remind me of Den from Heavy Metal... 

[Steve Zuleski]

Nov 14, 2023 17:43:49 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

“Crash test dummies” he says as he strips the paint off faces that look better than anything I could ever hope to recreate. 🤣🤣🤣

Lol, ya, it can be painful, but it's gotta be done

Nov 14, 2023 10:41:43 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Looking good Steve, I find myself wishing for a video of you painting faces. Are there any YouTubers you would recommend watching for face painting?

Oh boy, there's quite a few, Brian. If you've got time, dig into it, you'll be glad ya did

[deafpanzer]

No no no! I am not going to allow you to influence me into buying this set because I am really already in love... damn it! Keep it coming...

[Steve Zuleski]

Nov 17, 2023 16:48:56 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

No no no! I am not going to allow you to influence me into buying this set because I am really already in love... damn it! Keep it coming...

You're missin out, Andy!

[Steve Zuleski]

Feathering in the Details

Once the basic facial work has been done and the oils set up for a day or two, I go back over each face and add in more defined highlights and shadows. As you can see from the three faces, they are each in a different phase of this process. Number three just might get another oven cleaner bath, he’s looking pretty shabby, again, what a bummer.



Using a very minute amount of paint I apply in the desired areas and then feather it in using a damp brush. The feathering brush is barely damp at all. We just need the oils to feather into the surrounding areas for a smooth transition. If too much paint is added the work area may become out of cinque with the rest of the face and then it’s a fight to bring it back in without total distortion of the desired tones.



No names for these guys yet, but I’m working on it. This face above has a bit more red on the cheeks than is necessary and will be toned down slightly. There’s still quite a bit to do to just this face alone, but much of the fine tuning will be done in a few days.

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

[reserve]

More figures, eh?
Right sharp Z it's gonna be great

[Steve Zuleski]

Tanks, Mark!! Well, I figure I might as well, right?

[deafpanzer]

Your work always leave me in awe!!! Keep up with the outstanding work!