Bailey03's WIP

Zab

New member
mini zen garden then? I mean how much time could it take you to place each little pebble in a simple pattern?
 

fluisterwoud

Active member
I know you just did this for a base, but here me out. Since he's from the Heian period, one of the most famous battles of the time period was the battle of Dan-no-ura. It was a naval battle that consisted of mostly archers and took place in the Shimonoseki Strait. So you could have him leaning over the side of a ship and have some nice water effects happening. Here's a painting of the scene so you can see the kind of ships used:

XhOvDmG.jpg
 

Bailey03

Well-known member
Zab, ha, I could probably buy one of those mini zen gardens, arrange the sand and then soak it in superglue.

Fluister, yeah, I'd actually thought of something like that. Perhaps have him on the beach or on a ship. But, aside from being really complex, I thought it would just lead to confusion. Unless the viewer was familiar with Japanese history (and like really familiar), they would just be wondering what is going on. But it would be awesome to get a bunch of figures and do a scene like that at some point!

BAM, yeah, that's exactly what I'm thinking. As much as I'd love to do something over the top with the base, I've got to get this figure done. Between now and then show I've got two full weeks where I'll be out of town, two weekends with family visiting, and another weekend trip. So, while there's almost two months until the show, I really don't have that much time that I can actually paint. I've got to keep the base simple so I can get it (plus another two entries, plus the prep for the classes) finished!
 

Bailey03

Well-known member
Anyone feel like their figure kits should really come with instructions? I rarely see those for display figures, but there are times I wish I had them. I started the samurai back in October, which means I've been working on him for 4 months. Just yesterday I figured out I was wrong about where two were supposed to go! He's got an alternate helmet crest option and I thought they were part of the crest I wasn't using. Turns out they're really part of the quiver. The kit came in 38 pieces, so there was quite a bit to deal with!

In other news, I've finished off the last two armor panels around his waist. I've also attached the now correctly assembled quiver and the set of cords on his back which connect the shoulder panels. Those cords were a pain in the butt to attach. I probably should have done those when I attached the shoulder armor, but that would have required my reordering a lot of my painting (since they also go over the rear armor panel around his waist). Mostly I'm just relieved I got them on without snapping any of it off. I can pretty close, but managed to avoid that catastrophe. I didn't manage to take any pictures (sorry), but I'm sure I'll get some up sometime this week.
 

ArchArad

New member
I'm glad you made sense of it all! I've never painted anything so complex, but even so I've occasionally found myself staring at box art while I try to figure out where little bits go.
 

fluisterwoud

Active member
Yes! Many times assembling a display model I've been lost on how this one tiny piece fits in. And looking at the box art doesn't help because they only give you one picture from the front. So that tiny piece that hangs off the back, you just have to guess where it goes and hope you're right.
 

Bailey03

Well-known member
Yeah, especially if you're not familiar with the subject, you can spend a lot of time examining the box art and photos online to see where things should go. If it's a Roman figure, I've got a pretty good idea what the equipment should look like. But my knowledge about samurai armor is pretty minimal. And I remember on the Northumbrian I though one of the pieces was just part of a casting block and almost threw it away!

The only non-vehicle display kits I can think of that have instructions are Andrea's 90mm mounted figures. These really are helpful as there's a ton of stuff that goes on the horse and I'd be hard pressed to figure it out from the photos. I wish more companies did stuff like this
kits-for-sale-036-jpg.81484
kits-for-sale-035-jpg.81485
 

BloodASmedium

[img]http://pnp
Go to my fulgrim look at his right sash .....it was supposed to go on his posterior lower waist...it ended up on his left shoulder sash luckily it looks different and unique...but there was quite a bit of cursing going on when I found out I screwed up....so yes David curses to all non instructive display kits...lol
 

BloodASmedium

[img]http://pnp
For what it's worth this is the only other model to rival Ben and kirils pieces for the sec and first spots..this is a showstopper ...the piece that from the moment it goes in the case to the final placing people will be talking bout this for years after...you had better get your notes ready for your interview with the judges bud...god bless.
 
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oistene

Active member
I think we've all have cut off or thrown out a part of a model, thinking that it is flash or a casting block. :p

This is looking fantastic, Bailey! I cannot wait to see you put together the base, that is when it really takes off. Your job here completely puts the box art to shame.
 

Bailey03

Well-known member
Thanks, all!

I just saw some unfortunate news, looks like Karol Rudyk is planning to come compete at Crystal Brush this year too! Okay, it's good news because I'd love to see his stuff in person. But now we've got to worry about competing against Ben, Kirill, and Karol along with a bunch of other talented artists!

I've started messing around with the base for the samurai. I was going to do a ruined gate (torii), but now I'm not so sure. From what I can see, they're almost all painted red which I feel would go poorly next to this guy's color scheme. It looks like they can also be unpainted (ie plain wood), but that seems a lot less common. I'll be on travel for the next two weeks, so I've got some time to think it over.

Okay, one more update before I leave for vacation... last night I painted the cords on his back.
View attachment 46189View attachment 46190

What's next? Well, every samurai needs a sword. I've started painting the reverse of the sword sub assembly. For now it's just resting on the figure. I've got a little more work to do on the back side before I attach it. After that I'll just have to add the hand/bow and the arrows, then he'll be fully assembled!
View attachment 46191
 

Zab

New member
Yeah, but you aren't really competing against them. You are competing against you in the same competition with them. It's a subtle difference, but it's the one that counts. Also you can talk their ears off and pick their brains, trade tricks and get feedback. That is worth more than any big novelty check or trophy!
 

Alowan

New member
Don't know if it is the picture or if it is just me. But the cords look very shiny and smooth wich dont seem to fit the texture of rope? It's a small "critisism" since the paintjob is amazing and the colors are great! - but the cords on the lower back seems diffrent in texture to me.

Can't wait for the base! I am sure whatever you end up with will be amazing!
 

Bailey03

Well-known member
Ha, well it's podium format so I'm fairly certain I will indeed be competing against them! But, seriously, I'm excited to see his work in person and hopefully get a chance to pick his brain and maybe even get some feedback on my work. That's one of the things I like most about Crystal Brush, getting to meet and chat with some of the top artists from around the world.

Besides, if someone I do manage to get a top three finish, I'll know it's wasn't because the competition was light this year!
 

Bailey03

Well-known member
Alowan, I was thinking those cords would be a material more like silk than traditional rope. I don't know if that's historically accurate or not, but that's why I went for a smooth shiny look.
 
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