Alpine Miniatures - US Tankcrew, Ardennes 1944

I am calling this done before 2017 draws to a close. The crates and ammo containers were taken from AFV Club Set AF35184 - Ammunition Crates and Containers for 105mm Howitzer. The groundwork consisted of a mix of dried oregano leafs and those made from Fimo Deco Gel - a technique I developed 10 years ago.

Finally as part of the model display at Minicon TEN 2017 on last Saturday 30 December.

Here's wishing everyone a joyous new year ahead.

Cheers,

Calvin

Alpine Miniatures - US Tankcrew, Ardennes 1944

Began on the presentation of this figure amidst a pile of discarded 105mm ammo containers and crates from AFV Club.

Cheers,

Calvin

Alpine Miniatures - US Tankcrew, Ardennes 1944

Work in progress on the second demo figure from the hand painting workshop held at Miniature Art Studio in November.

Cheers,

Calvin

Workshop on Basic Hand Painting Techniques at Miniature Art Studio

Over the weekend of 25 November, I conducted a full day demo and hands-on workshop on basic hand painting techniques at the premise of Miniature Art Studio. Given the short notice we were fortunate to gather 10 enthusiastic participants to sign up. It was a full day painting event which includes a 1/35 Alpine figure, Vallejo Paints and a bento set-lunch.

My main objective for this workshop was to impart the basic understanding of paint application necessary to create a smooth gradient for tonal and color transitions. Personally this is an optimum size for a full day workshop as it allows me sufficient time to provide personalized guidance for each participant.

As a surprise for the attendees, a lucky draw was held towards the end of the workshop to give away the demo figure specially painted for this workshop. Congratulations to Raymond for being the lucky recipient.

A group photo with all the event participants with their hard work in hand. 

A special thanks to Michael and Bernard for organizing the event and Mun Wai and Wen Pu for helping out with the logistics for the day.

Cheers,

Calvin

Good Outing at Scale Model Challenge 2017

It gives me great pleasure to announce that our local team fared very well with two silver medals, two bronze medals and 4 highly commended awards at the prestigious Scale Model Challenge competition held in the Netherlands over the weekend of 21 October.  A special thanks to Allan Yong of Malaysia for helping to bring my figures over to the competition - whom himself has also fared quite well bagging a Highly Commended award for himself.

Well done guys!

 Calvin

Kudos to Michael Lee of Miniature Art Studio

I would like to extend a shout out to Michael Lee of Miniature Art Studio for keeping the Singapore flag flying with his remarkable tally of a Gold and a Bronze medal at the 2017 World Expo in Chicago last July. Michael is in my opinion perhaps one of the brightest stars of the figure modelling scene in Singapore and has been consistently churning out outstanding pieces in these recent years. Well done Myker! 

Calvin

Young Miniatures - Waffen SS Dispatch Rider, Ostfront 1944

Pleased to say that I am finally done with this piece. A very beautiful sculpt and a very nice subject to paint as well.  Pure white and black were not used directly on this piece. Taking a page from Cezanne's play book,  to depict white without the use of actual white paint, the illusion of intrinsic light had to be conveyed - i.e. the appearance of white under yellow and blue light. I personally find that this approach of painting is particularly effective for a bust as it helps to elevate the atmosphere and mood of the figure.

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - Waffen SS Dispatch Rider, Ostfront 1944

Just a quick update on this piece.

Cheers,

Calvin

Model Shows - Malaysia Miniature Hobby Show, Penang 2017 - Day 1 Set -up

Here is my pictorial journal of the recently concluded Malaysia Miniature Hobby Show 2017 held recently in Penang, Malaysia. over the weekend of 8 and 9 July. Following the runaway success from the premier show in 2016, this year's event proved much more successful with the inclusion of  the Malaysian Competition - attracting entries from outside Asia; from as far as Russia and Venezuela. Held in the same venue, Cititel Hotel, the organizers have booked another additional two function rooms to host the model competition. There was a significant increase in attendance by modelers from abroad as well as several top notch names in the Asian modelling scene - each prominent figures(no pun intended) in their respective countries showcasing their best efforts and sharing their joy of this hobby.

The carnival styled show banner for the 2017 edition of the Malaysia Miniature Hobby Show and Competition in the lobby of the the Cititel Hotel.

Various clubs and vendors setting up their respective tables on Friday evening.

The team from Singapore unpacking their exhibits for next day's show.

A very pleased Michael presenting his works to Masahiro Doi and Norio Takemura for the very first time.

Meeting with Oishi Suwanarath - highly prolific modelling extraordinaire from Thailand!

The team from Model Art, MS Model, WolfPack Design and Paracel Miniatures tucking into a scrumptious dinner across the road at the Red Garden hawker center.

Young Miniatures - Waffen SS Dispatch Rider, Ostfront 1944

It has been slightly more than a week since my return from the Malaysia Miniature Hobby Show in Penang and while I am putting together my personal journal from that show, I thought I would share a picture of my current project. What drew me towards this particular project was the opportunity to borrow the color scheme of famed American plein-air artist Aldro Hibbard in rendering snowscapes for the reversible padded winter camouflage parka. I am pleased on how it is shaping out so far and hopefully I could get more time this week to refine more of the details on the parka.

Cheers,

Calvin

Model Shows - Malaysia Miniature Hobby Show, Penang 2017 - Day 2

Day 2 - The show begins!

A view of the exhibition ballroom.

The table from Team Singapore. 

Shije Hasagawa providing some instruction to Masahiro Doi at the model art table regarding the usage of some outstanding new metallic lacquer paints just out in the market.

Direct from Spain-Valencia is master diorama modeller Reuben Gonzales - whom the last time we met was in 2008 Girona!

Fellow Singaporean modellers Joe, Ben, Clement and Loy.

Hyun Jin from DEF Model of Korea at the show.

Master veteran military modeller Douglas Lee from Korea adding star value to the show.

Jackie Wong with his outstanding 1/48 scale cut away U-boat on display with fully 

functioning LED lights.

Live demonstration from AK Interactive on groundwork techniques by Ruben Gonzales 

assisted by Carlos Domínguez.

Malaysia's Allan Yong preparing for his live demo on atmospheric painting.

Lunch at a local Penang Chinese eatery recommended by Clement's friend. 

  

One of my favourite Malaysian modellers CK Loo with his 1/48 scale diorama of two Japanese warplanes strafing the streets of Penang. 

Veteran Hong Kong figure painter Wan Yun Lam with his impressive display of works.

 Hong Kong's Henry Lam's spectacular painting of Jung Ju-Won's sculpt 

Another strong showing of talent from veteran Hong Kong modeller Lo Chak Leung 

with his original Chinese fantasy sculpt. 

Lee Ping Chung's full scratch build depiction of a mounted Emperor Qian Long in his hunting dress. 

 Singapore's Benjamin Wong's painting of a RAF pilot from LIFE Miniatures.

 Paul Quek of Miniature Alliance.

 Lawrence Goh of Echelon Fine Decals.

 Gustav and Young. No comment.

Masahiro Doi and Giang of Paracel Miniatures.

 Tamaki and Michael Lee

 The trade booth of AK Interactive.

 One of favourite master modeller from Thailand Pongsatorn Kanthaboon with his breathtaking rendition of the ERDL and Tiger strip camouflage on a US Navy SEAL figure. Sitthichok Suwannarat

Dystopian fantasy piece from Nuts Planet painted by Sitthichok Suwannarat of Thailand.

A pair of 1/35 scale US infantrymen by Anar Aytaliev.

Macau and Hong Kong modellers at the beach front dinner reception.