Nothing new...

...but I'll keep the blog rolling with a pic of my main reference library that I keep close to the workbench. "Yippie skippy", you say!

This is only a 1/4 of my collection. The rest is on cheap book cases in the family room or in totes.

Just finishing up painting a stock figure and also digging up ideas for one or two more projects before the MFCA show in May.

Thanks for browsing.

Bargain book treasure.

I'm fast becoming an illustration book junkie. One I recently picked up is a book on the British artist, Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788). This $60 book cost me $12 at a local bargain bookstore. It's loaded with 254 illustrations and 195 color plates. This is an indispensable reference source for people who paint/model this period. His subjects varied from the ordinary laborer to the men and women of noble classes, with landscape and animals mixed in.
I'll post more of my favorite art/reference books and bargain buys.

The pride of my collection.

As many know, Gary Dombrowski is not only a talented sculptor but a gifted 2-D artist. A couple months ago, I received a pleasant suprise in the mail. It was Gary's study of a Hessian jaeger he based on my original sculpture. No words could express my joy on receiving such a generous gift. This felt better than being given any award, at any show.
Like figures, seeing an original 2-D painting in the flesh is MUCH better than viewing through pictures. Gary put countless hours into this 5X7 painting. And aside from his generous heart it made me wonder if "true" artist feel no real ownership in their work. But it's really about enjoying what you do and feeling that intoxicating rush of creation. Either way, I couldn't ask for a better friend in the hobby. Thanks pard.
It now hangs above my painting table, next to a favorite of mine, Winslow Homer's "The Briarwood pipe".

"A Cruel Misfortune" Final pics

Here's the last pics of the vignette. This project has brought me alot of satisfaction and I feel it's my most successful to date. The figures have interaction and tells a story. And, as we know, are key ingredients to most vignettes. I look back at past larger vignettes/dioramas compared to this, and they all lack that "punch" required. I don't look at them as failures (well...yes, at the display table) but as learning tools. And I hope to get better at vignettes from here, although it may take a few more to feel that satisfaction again.

Thanks for following this project.

"A Cruel Misfortune" Part 11

Here's a couple pics of the finished piece. I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out. The pictures on the other hand leave much to be desired. I'll post more later.

Thanks for following this project.

Grass

Sorry for the messy writing, I put this together on the go. This is how most of the groundwork will be done. The Jute twine can be found in most garden centers. It comes in this natural color and is perfect for thick weedy grass. Last Spring I picked up a ball of green twine that I will have to try later on. I can't remember who makes the modeling field grass but I want to say Hudson & Allen. It's expensive and cost $8.00 for a small stalk. The fibers have neat little heads that look like weeds. I cut even amounts of both, mix them up and apply.

"A Cruel Misfortune" Part 10

Here's the first figure to be secured to base. I chose this one for obvious reseaons, that being I will be working my way inside out of the scene.
Sculpting and painting the hand onto base was NOT easy, but I'm happy with how it looks. The "grass" is unraveled twine mixed with some Hudson & Allen field type grass and then painted with appropriate colors. The grass is adhered with wood glue mixed with an earth toned color. Adding paint to the glue will help "mask" any shiny spots hiding under the grass. I still have some touch-ups to do on the figure before additional pieces go on.

New acquisition to the work room.

My wife was fortunate to score this display case at her office when it was going through renovation last week. Thanks Doctor P! Lucius has a new home again, guarding my Troiani and Meissonier prints. The family room is where most of my "stuff" is diplayed.

Blenheim Poem

Well, I've started painting the horses. As of now I won't show any pictures until most of the project is complete. I don't expect further postings on this project until late February. Please stay tuned however, as I will post other "goings on".

In the meantime, I leave you with a poem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV1RMTnpWb4

Filling a void.

The void is filled and textured. It will be painted to blend in with the base.

The horses are primed. I have a few touch-ups to do on the figures then they will be ready.

Reference...

Here's some books I used for reference. "From Pike to Shot" is a book Mike Blank recommended to me. It covers briefly everything about the armies and battles in western Europe from 1685 to 1720. It's not really an illustrative guide but it does give uniform colors, weapons and tactics from all the major powers. If anyone models this period, this book should be at hand. It's a classic and can be found on ebay now and then. I bought this copy through amazon for under $20 a few years ago. The Osprey titles are o.k. but are still wanting in more uniform and equipment descriptions. More on references later.