What is on your bench right now ? Share a picture :)

[CANicoll]

11 hours ago, blackbetty said:

finished my dagger

Nice aircraft!!

[BlrwestSiR]

I haven't much time at the bench over the last few days but I did manage to get a pearl coat onto the front of the LUV. It's probably hard to see in the pics but it definitely has a subtle pearl finish. 

[Peterpools]

On 7/10/2024 at 12:42 PM, BlrwestSiR said:

I haven't much time at the bench over the last few days but I did manage to get a pearl coat onto the front of the LUV. It's probably hard to see in the pics but it definitely has a subtle pearl finish. 

Carl

Looking mighty good. 

[belugawhaleman]

Well, while waiting for some paint for my Tamiya MK. IV, I started

this FV4005 from Amusing Hobby..... Anyway, not totally "amused "

by this kit. While not a bad kit I did experience some fit issues and

questionable engineering. Definitely not Tamiya. Nevertheless, I think

it's a fun subject of an example of cold war silliness. Its failure did lead to the development and adoption of anti-tank missiles. Anyway, my paint

came today and I'm going to finish my Tamiya Mk. IV this coming week.

Not really important post considering the events of today, but I decided

to post anyway.

[FullArmor]

3 hours ago, belugawhaleman said:

Well, while waiting for some paint for my Tamiya MK. IV, I started

this FV4005 from Amusing Hobby..... Anyway, not totally "amused "

by this kit. While not a bad kit I did experience some fit issues and

questionable engineering. Definitely not Tamiya. Nevertheless, I think

it's a fun subject of an example of cold war silliness. Its failure did lead to the development and adoption of anti-tank missiles. Anyway, my paint

came today and I'm going to finish my Tamiya Mk. IV this coming week.

Not really important post considering the events of today, but I decided

to post anyway.

Good progress👍. That turret looks like something out of starwars movie😃. Did you happen to see youtube videos about tankfest where this tank was showcased?

[belugawhaleman]

28 minutes ago, FullArmor said:

Good progress👍. That turret looks like something out of starwars movie😃. Did you happen to see youtube videos about tankfest where this tank was showcased?

Yes, I've been following the restoration of this thing by Mr. Hewes on

YouTube since the beginning. Cool stuff! Joe Hewes apparently lives

the life I dreamed of since I was about 14.....Lucky devil! A life devoted

to Tanks!

[FullArmor]

1 hour ago, belugawhaleman said:

Yes, I've been following the restoration of this thing by Mr. Hewes on

YouTube since the beginning. Cool stuff! Joe Hewes apparently lives

the life I dreamed of since I was about 14.....Lucky devil! A life devoted

to Tanks!

Dream job. Until you hammer rusty bolts loose...cramped spaces...oil and filth everywhere😃. Hats of to Mr. Hewes how can he bear it all 👍

Same with planes...clean and organized they say...until you take one hyd pump and fuel pump off...mess everywhere. That is the reality.

[Peterpools]

12 hours ago, belugawhaleman said:

Well, while waiting for some paint for my Tamiya MK. IV, I started

this FV4005 from Amusing Hobby..... Anyway, not totally "amused "

by this kit. While not a bad kit I did experience some fit issues and

questionable engineering. Definitely not Tamiya. Nevertheless, I think

it's a fun subject of an example of cold war silliness. Its failure did lead to the development and adoption of anti-tank missiles. Anyway, my paint

came today and I'm going to finish my Tamiya Mk. IV this coming week.

Not really important post considering the events of today, but I decided

to post anyway.

Paul

Nice stat on a 'cool' looking subject and not seen very often. Yup, nothing like Tamiya for fit and engineering.

 

[HubertB]

Some figures, in an attempt to improve my figure-painting skills (but I am starting from very low  ).

I love to display my finished models on a simple base, and to add a figure to reinforce to scale impression of the kits. My Nieuport Sesquiplan, showed on the site’s gallery, has thus a figure of Sadi Lecointe. Its pilot of the world speed record of 1923, in an attempt to reproduce a period picture in the Hirsch book on racers. I have always been moderatly happy with the « Sadi Lecointe » figure, kitbashed from a Preiser figure.

 

So it was time, whilst I wait for the boudary-layer vanes of the Cutlass to settle, to try a repaint of the figure. It was stripped with lacquer thinner, and I tried something new : after spraying the figure (plus 5 more) a dark gray overall, I sprayed them with white, but from an angle, to try to emulate the sun lighting coming from an angle above and sideways. My theory is that this should give me a starting base to reproduce the highlights and shadows achieved by the Master figure painters …

 

Sorry for the not-great pics taken with my phone, which seems on top to have a focusing issue. The white and shadows are a result of the painting, not the (poor) lighting of the pics.

Anyway, here is a WiP of the figures, taken with my iPad, of Sadi Lecointe, of a US pilot to go with my Fisher Ryan ST-M, and then 4 mechanics that will go with my pair of Gee Bee racers. I found a period photo where the SARA mechanics wore white overalls, so reproducing an « interesting » white is going to be a challenge.

I still have to complete the detail paintings and touch-ups (funny how the macro-photography highlights details I thought looked better when viewed with my Optivisor 🥴), but it gives you an idea of what I am aiming for …

TBC

Hubert

[FullArmor]

21 minutes ago, HubertB said:

Some figures, in an attempt to improve my figure-painting skills (but I am starting from very low  ).

I love to display my finished models on a simple base, and to add a figure to reinforce to scale impression of the kits. My Nieuport Sesquiplan, showed on the site’s gallery, has thus a figure of Sadi Lecointe. Its pilot of the world speed record of 1923, in an attempt to reproduce a period picture in the Hirsch book on racers. I have always been moderatly happy with the « Sadi Lecointe » figure, kitbashed from a Preiser figure.

 

So it was time, whilst I wait for the boudary-layer vanes of the Cutlass to settle, to try a repaint of the figure. It was stripped with lacquer thinner, and I tried something new : after spraying the figure (plus 5 more) a dark gray overall, I sprayed them with white, but from an angle, to try to emulate the sun lighting coming from an angle above and sideways. My theory is that this should give me a starting base to reproduce the highlights and shadows achieved by the Master figure painters …

 

Sorry for the not-great pics taken with my phone, which seems on top to have a focusing issue. The white and shadows are a result of the painting, not the (poor) lighting of the pics.

Anyway, here is a WiP of the figures, taken with my iPad, of Sadi Lecointe, of a US pilot to go with my Fisher Ryan ST-M, and then 4 mechanics that will go with my pair of Gee Bee racers. I found a period photo where the SARA mechanics wore white overalls, so reproducing an « interesting » white is gong to be a challenge.

I still have to complete the detail paintings and touch-ups (funny how the macro-photography highlights details I thought looked better when viewed with my Optivisor 🥴), but it gives you an idea of what I am aiming for …

TBC

Hubert

Nice! I am hoping to master figure painting someday also...

[Bomber_County]

This gem dates back from 1974 but the original tooling was 1972, over a half a century ago……I reckon this was one of my last kits I built before girls, cars and partying took over my life. It is showing its age with part lines  and a little flash but the nostalgic value is amazing. Not sure if to do a WIP, I’ll leave it to you guys……

 

[Peterpools]

1 hour ago, HubertB said:

Some figures, in an attempt to improve my figure-painting skills (but I am starting from very low  ).

I love to display my finished models on a simple base, and to add a figure to reinforce to scale impression of the kits. My Nieuport Sesquiplan, showed on the site’s gallery, has thus a figure of Sadi Lecointe. Its pilot of the world speed record of 1923, in an attempt to reproduce a period picture in the Hirsch book on racers. I have always been moderatly happy with the « Sadi Lecointe » figure, kitbashed from a Preiser figure.

 

So it was time, whilst I wait for the boudary-layer vanes of the Cutlass to settle, to try a repaint of the figure. It was stripped with lacquer thinner, and I tried something new : after spraying the figure (plus 5 more) a dark gray overall, I sprayed them with white, but from an angle, to try to emulate the sun lighting coming from an angle above and sideways. My theory is that this should give me a starting base to reproduce the highlights and shadows achieved by the Master figure painters …

 

Sorry for the not-great pics taken with my phone, which seems on top to have a focusing issue. The white and shadows are a result of the painting, not the (poor) lighting of the pics.

Anyway, here is a WiP of the figures, taken with my iPad, of Sadi Lecointe, of a US pilot to go with my Fisher Ryan ST-M, and then 4 mechanics that will go with my pair of Gee Bee racers. I found a period photo where the SARA mechanics wore white overalls, so reproducing an « interesting » white is gong to be a challenge.

I still have to complete the detail paintings and touch-ups (funny how the macro-photography highlights details I thought looked better when viewed with my Optivisor 🥴), but it gives you an idea of what I am aiming for …

TBC

Hubert

Hubert

Always felt models set on a simple scenic base with a figure is the perfect way to display and present them. I'm encouraged by your figure painting work to dive in and try some of my own. I have a few projects coming up after the Spitfire that I want to add a few figures to and am going to give it a try. 

[GusMac]

5 hours ago, Bomber_County said:

This gem dates back from 1974 but the original tooling was 1972, over a half a century ago……I reckon this was one of my last kits I built before girls, cars and partying took over my life. It is showing its age with part lines  and a little flash but the nostalgic value is amazing. Not sure if to do a WIP, I’ll leave it to you guys……

 

Ooh, I remember building that myself back in the early 80s and making an absolutely appalling job of painting the figures. I also remember my attempt at the desert pink coming out a bit too close to 'Pink Panther' or strawberry Angel Delight than what I was aiming for.😁 

[KevinM]

I can tell you what's not on the desk anymore an Eduard P-51 and not for Eduard's fault mine at painting seems to be an issue of late.The plane came out OK but trust me I wanted to bin it.I now have a Tamy 1/48 D-9 on the desk and again the paint mojo killer strikes I paint the tail band red/yellow ...yep was suppose to be yellow/red and it was Nice effort

[HubertB]

SOk. I am calling the repaint of Sadi Lecointe done.

I feel I achieved a slight improvement over my first attempt, but, working on other figures in parallel, I have come to realise that the main issue is the starting base, a reworked Preiser 1/32 plastic figure. Try as I might, It is difficult to obtain the same level of detail and relief accentuation as with resin figures. 
Finding a figure of a civilian in a suite and tie is pretty difficult, but after much internet roaming, I found a German site selling 1/32 3D-printed figures. I have ordered a few, and we’ll see if they are better than my starting base for Sadi.

Anyway, on to some pics.

Sadi repainted and on its own :

 

And in front of his Sesquiplane of the word speed record.

 

Compared to the first paint below :

And the new paint in close-up, to emulate the inspirational picture :

 

TBC

Hubert

 

[KevinM]

Not a bad looking paint job but another mojo builder has thrown a monkey wrench into the hat! I lost a lower gear leg door why why why this is like 3 builds in a row with hang-ups it's getting frustrating

 

I may make one in the next week or so.

[HubertB]

Oops ! It took my latest post to see that the Sesquiplane landing gear legs were more angled outwards that what my kit shows. I had never noticed it before, not that there are many pics of the Sesquiplane to start with. This means the kit’s lower plane has a too short span vs the original aircraft…

Oh well, there is no way I am going to modify this now. If you don’t tell anyone, your secret will be well kept with me 🤐 …

Hubert

PS: And yes, I know the macro photo shows all the defects of my painting of Sadi Lecointe. But a) it looks good from 20 cms with a naked eye, and b) I am not sure my hand will be steady enough to do a much improved rendition …

[KevinM]

I decided not to wait the replacement should work well enough Now if nothing gets thrown at me maybe a decent build for a change.

[Peterpools]

19 hours ago, HubertB said:

SOk. I am calling the repaint of Sadi Lecointe done.

I feel I achieved a slight improvement over my first attempt, but, working on other figures in parallel, I have come to realise that the main issue is the starting base, a reworked Preiser 1/32 plastic figure. Try as I might, It is difficult to obtain the same level of detail and relief accentuation as with resin figures. 
Finding a figure of a civilian in a suite and tie is pretty difficult, but after much internet roaming, I found a German site selling 1/32 3D-printed figures. I have ordered a few, and we’ll see if they are better than my starting base for Sadi.

Anyway, on to some pics.

Sadi repainted and on its own :

 

And in front of his Sesquiplane of the word speed record.

 

Compared to the first paint below :

And the new paint in close-up, to emulate the inspirational picture :

 

TBC

Hubert

 

Hubert, looking mighty good and way better then my humble attempts.

 

[Peterpools]

17 hours ago, KevinM said:

Not a bad looking paint job but another mojo builder has thrown a monkey wrench into the hat! I lost a lower gear leg door why why why this is like 3 builds in a row with hang-ups it's getting frustrating

 

I may make one in the next week or so.

Kev

Looking good and fingers crossed the missing gear leg issue get solved.

 

[Peterpools]

15 hours ago, HubertB said:

Oops ! It took my latest post to see that the Sesquiplane landing gear legs were more angled outwards that what my kit shows. I had never noticed it before, not that there are many pics of the Sesquiplane to start with. This means the kit’s lower plane has a too short span vs the original aircraft…

Oh well, there is no way I am going to modify this now. If you don’t tell anyone, your secret will be well kept with me 🤐 …

Hubert

PS: And yes, I know the macro photo shows all the defects of my painting of Sadi Lecointe. But a) it looks good from 20 cms with a naked eye, and b) I am not sure my hand will be steady enough to do a much improved rendition …

Hubert

Macro photos are the best way to see how we're doing and what needs to be fixed. Of course, I won't say a word.

 

[HubertB]

2 minutes ago, Peterpools said:

Hubert

Macro photos are the best way to see how we're doing and what needs to be fixed. Of course, I won't say a word.

 

Hi Peter,

I agree, but sometimes it hurts seeing your work in macro, and dropping from "masterpiece" to "barely pasable" 🤣

Hubert

[Peterpools]

Hubert - absolutely. Still, the best way to learn. As we always say, we're our best critic.  

[DocRob]

20 hours ago, HubertB said:

I feel I achieved a slight improvement over my first attempt, but, working on other figures in parallel, I have come to realise that the main issue is the starting base, a reworked Preiser 1/32 plastic figure. Try as I might, It is difficult to obtain the same level of detail and relief accentuation as with resin figures. 
Finding a figure of a civilian in a suite and tie is pretty difficult, but after much internet roaming, I found a German site selling 1/32 3D-printed figures. I have ordered a few, and we’ll see if they are better than my starting base for Sadi.

You are absolutely right about the casting quality relating to the possible painting quality, Hubert. Simply sculpted figures are terrible to paint and with the better ones, hmmh, it´s up to your skills. Mine are not very developed and as much as I like to do better figure jobs, as much I dread the task.
I didn´t even know, that Preiser did 1/32 figures, but with the plane and the base, it looks fitting and good.

There is a semi civilian in the Aviattic.co.uk shop: ATTL 02 Anthony Fokker and there is also a fitting camera available: ATTRES030 WW1 1/32 Tripod movie camera.

Cheers Rob

[HubertB]

Thanks for the comments, Rob. I bought some time ago the « figure painting techniques FAQ » by Kirill Kanaev, published by AK Interactive. All the theoretical knowledge is there, it’s just an issue of turning it into practice, and educating my hand and brain to translate the practice into a regular habit.

I have extracted the book from my library, and got back to re-read it (it’s not an instant read, as it is a hefty and heavy one). One issue is certainly that I am still reluctant to apply the stark shades you can see on the great figures.

One thing I tried with these figures is to use acrylics, rather than oil paint. It is the technique used by the great specialist Marion Ball, and what she achieves is outstanding. She uses additive thin, heavy diluted, layers, and that manages to achieve the shadows sought after for great figures … I was probably just not patient enough to dilute each successive layer more than I did … Well, we learn from our mistakes, don’t we ?
 

One thing I am convinced about is that mastering figure painting to the point of « good » (not « great ») figures, is adding a very useful palette to the array of modelling skills for veryone, and not only for armour builders.

Hubert