PERSPECTIVES IN MINIATURE: 2nd Marine Division, Tarawa, 1943

ARTIST STATEMENT

In the words of Wilbur Smith "War is the game played by old men with the lives of the young". The pawn in this game is the combat soldier, represented by the miniature toy soldier; an insignificant being on the battlefield. Combat is the most intense moment of war, where life and death balances on a knife's edge. The results are terrifying and reveal the worst part of our human nature. Conversely, there are moments when it exudes the best of our human spirit. Most of the miniatures you see here are diligently researched from historical sources and handcrafted between scales of 1/35 to 1/16 (approx 50mm to 120mm). The intricate rendition of human expression and fine details not only demonstrates the level of craftsmanship but also serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of human life. I represent no political bias though my miniature creations. My aim is to portray humanity through the chronicles of military history and thus it is my pleasure that I present to you my weblog Perspectives in Miniature.

Calvin Tan

WWII GERMAN UNIFORMS - PERSONAL MIXES BY CALVIN TAN

In conjunction with AK Interactive, this exclusive Gen 3 acrylic paint set is specially composed with the essential colours that I use to render WWII German Uniforms. It contains 18 colours and a small pamphlet with my personal colour mixes. If you are keen to acquire all the colours on my palette to paint a field grey tunic, a splinter pattern zeltbahn, an oak-leaf pattern smock or the Kharkov anorak, look no further, this is the set for you to get started.

CALVIN TAN'S BASIC GUIDE TO FIGURE PAINTING

This instructional DVD published by Model Art magazine was primarily developed for the beginner armour and diorama modeller in mind. The video presentation will feature a variety of easy to master techniques used to render a 1/35 scale plastic injected moulded figure.Topics include proper paint application techniques, choice of brushes as well as some little tricks for painting fine detail. It is fundamentally a showcase of some of my methods and techniques for painting military figures and I am certain it will prove beneficial for any modeller who wishes to improve on figure painting. It is currently available in both Japanese and English.

CALVIN TAN'S GUIDE TO CONVERTING AND PAINTING FIGURES

In this third instalment, I will share my techniques and materials to customize and detail an inexpensive stock plastic figure. Watch as I take you through the steps on how I modify a pose, model details such as hands, belts and webbing and insignias. Learn about working effectively with epoxy putty as well as plastic styrene and paper. As a continuation from my first two DVDs, I will demonstrate how to model and paint a simple groundwork as well as an alternate approach using a monochromatic underpainting to render both a field grey tunic and the World War 2 German Splinter Camouflage pattern on a helmet cover. If you have enjoyed and benefitted from those previous titles, this edition will be a welcome addition to your journey in scale figure modelling – regardless of your current skill level. It is my sincere hope that this could inspire you to embark on your own creative adventure in this fantastic hobby. .

Saturday, 27 October 2012

2nd Marine Division, Tarawa, 1943

Labels: Alpine Miniatures - US Marine 1943-44 Posted by Calvin Tan at 20:13

I've managed to snatch some time over this weekend to take some new photos of the new 1/16 scale US Marine from Alpine Miniature and prepare some color notes on painting the "Duck Hunter" camouflage. Colors quoted are from Jo Sonja acrylics.

On another note, next week looks set for an exciting event in the Singaporean scale modelling calender with M-CON 2012. Like the premier show in 2008, it will be held in the heart of downtown Singapore at Sculpture Square over the weekend from 1-4 November. I will be conducting a small workshop/painting clinic on the afternoon of Saturday, 3 November. We also have invited a very prominent guest artist to grace this event and so if you're in the area come on by and have a look.

Cheers,

Calvin

3 comments:

Unknown said...: Thanks Calvin for the color chart. I thought and was wishing you had used vallejo paints but i know Lynn kessler has used those acrylics in his figure paintings and swears by them.I myself always would paint 120mm figs in enamels and artist oils but i am trying to really get the hang of acrylic paint.i will be ordering my fig soon and will let you know how it turns out. thanks again, Michael; 28 October 2012 at 23:21
Didier MONGE said...: Hey Calvin !

Thanks you very much for theses smalls informations about your " Marines camo 's process" . I use the Jo Sonja's Artist colors (I love theses paints!) and I very glad with your Color chart!
Very instructive and rich for alls painters of camo uniforms!

Thanks Calvin

Didier(Girona2008); 29 October 2012 at 03:50
Kiko Fernández Velasco said...: Congrats Calvin,it is looks awesome. And trying to paint another one in 54mm and was looking for references. Thanks for the color chart, Do you know the equivalences for Vallejo paintings?

Regards; 1 August 2019 at 17:24