Dan Morton Posted 25 December , 2006 Share Posted 25 December , 2006 This is a little Great War trench vignette based on the Gilbert Rogers painting of the same name hanging in the Imperial War Museum in London. Your comments and critique, as always, are very welcome! The Gilbert Rogers painting.... The vignette..... I took the liberty of giving his uniform a (yellow) diamond insignia of the British 62nd Division in 1917. I hope I've done him justice. A gold-medal winning figure painter from Wisconsin, Kreston Peckham, will be painting this figure. All the best, Dan Morton http://heroesonthewire.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soren Posted 25 December , 2006 Share Posted 25 December , 2006 Fabulous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Morton Posted 25 December , 2006 Author Share Posted 25 December , 2006 Many thanks, Soren! You're too kind! All the best, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike10764 Posted 26 December , 2006 Share Posted 26 December , 2006 Marvellous...would you not like to enter it in this months MGWAT- it is topical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunboat Posted 26 December , 2006 Share Posted 26 December , 2006 I totally agree with Spike. Enter into MGWAT its excellent work and topical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 26 December , 2006 Share Posted 26 December , 2006 Can't wait to see it painted Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Morton Posted 26 December , 2006 Author Share Posted 26 December , 2006 Thanks Spike, Mick and Gunboat! I appreciate your encouragement! Sure - put it into the contest! I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, but whatever! Doesn't cost anything to enter, does it? All the best, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6th Hauraki KIA KAHA Posted 28 December , 2006 Share Posted 28 December , 2006 Hi Fantastic. What are your figures made of? Jonathan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Morton Posted 28 December , 2006 Author Share Posted 28 December , 2006 Jonathan, Thanks for asking! I start with a few resin cast parts from various kits. In this case a head, boots and putties. Then I begin with some metal wire and assemble the figure using an anatomical scale chart. I work in 1/15th to 1/16th scale so the figure height works out to be about 120mm if standing erect. I use a full scale height from 5 ft 5 inches (1.65m) to 5 ft 11 inches (1.8 m). After I have the scale worked out, I sculpt a rough body from a product called Magicsculpt. It's a 2-part putty that air dries to form a very hard, carvable, sandable solid. If you've ever used automotive body filler, it's somewhat like that. Basically after that I add thin layers of putty and form it using various tools. When the entire figure is done, I sand it and make corrections and then go over it with steel wool. A single simple figure takes about 48 hours from start to finish. The ground work for the Stretcher Bearer is papier mache with a layer of a modelling product called pumice paste - ground pumice in a liquid acrylic glue. I used to paint the figures, but I wanted to concentrate on sculpting and now I have several painters that collaborate with me. So far what I'm making are "one-offs". No cast copies. 85% or more original bits. I've sold a few of them to collectors, but for prices that work out to an hourly rate of less than $10.00 per hour for the painter and myself. I'm definitely not doing it for money!! This is by far the most interesting hobby I've ever had and I'm hooked for life! If you or anyone else is interested in trying it, I suggest you go to http://www.planetfigure.com or http://www.timelinesforum.com and see what sculptors and painters are working on. Each site has links to commercial figure vendors. One of the largest and best general figure vendors in the world is Chuck Robinson - http://www.redlancers.com. Two of the best sculptor-caster firms are run by Steve Warrilow - The Fusilier - http://www.thefusilier.demon.co.uk/ and Jon Smith - Jon Smith Modellbau - http://www.jonsmith-modellbau.com/. Both of these guys have a large concentration of their figures in WWI. Steve is beginning to diversify into figures of the US Wild West period. Jon's forte' is incredible detail - you really won't believe it when you see it. Both have been in business for 15 - 20 years. All the best, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Robertson Posted 28 December , 2006 Share Posted 28 December , 2006 Two of the best sculptor-caster firms are run by Steve Warrilow - The Fusilier - http://www.thefusilier.demon.co.uk/ and Jon Smith - Jon Smith Modellbau - http://www.jonsmith-modellbau.com/. Dan, I've just checked out The Fusiliers's website and there are some cracking figures there. It would be a real shame for me to even attempt to paint them........ His Australian figures are very good as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Morton Posted 28 December , 2006 Author Share Posted 28 December , 2006 Derek - "It would be a real shame for me to even attempt to paint them........" Two points 1. Everybody has to start someplace. The journey is entirely enjoyable, even with false starts and mistakes. I've only been sculpting about 4 years and I've completed about 30 figures, vignettes, or dioramas. You should have seen the rubbish I turned out at first! [Actually some people say I STILL turn out rubbish!!!! ] Painting is a similar learning process. It takes an investment in time and effort. But the reward is grand! 2. If you are really convinced you don't want to paint the figure, that's not a problem. It's an opportunity for one of my collaborator painters. I know three gold medal award painters - each with very individual styles and approaches. Send me an e-mail and it would be my pleasure to put you in touch with any or all three. All the best, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Morton Posted 28 December , 2006 Author Share Posted 28 December , 2006 Incidentally, one of the painters I could put you in touch with is Roger Newsome, a frequent contributor to this site. All the best, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6th Hauraki KIA KAHA Posted 3 January , 2007 Share Posted 3 January , 2007 Hi Dan Thanks for the links. You seem to work fast, already onto a new US figure. I have made a few models over the years nothing like yours though. Mine have been 1:35 scale NZ Mounted Rifles, very small and fiddle. You have got me all inspired, so I went out and found some 1:16 kits and have started on a Mounted Signal Trooper on horse with his Equipment I also plan on Making a Mounted Signal Trooper with his Heliograph and one with Signal Flags. Jonathan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Morton Posted 3 January , 2007 Author Share Posted 3 January , 2007 Jonathan - Cheers, mate! Glad to hear you're picking up the hobby and I hope you find it as rewarding as I do. Post your stuff both here and on Planetfigure.com. Would love to see the results!! Actually I have about 5 figures in various stages of completion. 2 commissions, 2 figures for a friend, and the US cavalryman just for fun. All the best, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 3 January , 2007 Share Posted 3 January , 2007 What a fantastic job you have done there Dan. Hope you are as proud as punch on this work. I am wondering if you could do one of a soldier with the Imperial Camel Corps on his camel for me please. Please pm me if this could be a possibility and if you could do with a better quality photo if needed. You can find a photo of him here http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...=63205&st=0 post 11 Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Morton Posted 3 January , 2007 Author Share Posted 3 January , 2007 Cheers, Kevin! Thanks for your encouragement! I'm pleased with the outcome but even more pleased that so many apparently like it. You can see some more of my stuff at http://heroesonthewire.blogspot.com/. I'll pm you concerning the Camel Corps figure. All the best, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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