PERSPECTIVES IN MINIATURE: July 2017

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. .

Monday, 24 July 2017

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

Labels: Model Shows - Malaysia Miniature Hobby Show Penang 2017 Posted by Calvin Tan at 15:36

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.

Tuesday, 18 July 2017

Young Miniatures - Waffen SS Dispatch Rider, Ostfront 1944

Labels: Young Miniatures - Waffen SS Dispatch Rider Ostfront 1944 Posted by Calvin Tan at 23:14

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

Saturday, 8 July 2017

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

Labels: Model Shows - Malaysia Miniature Hobby Show Penang 2017 Posted by Calvin Tan at 17:16

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.

Friday, 7 July 2017

DEF Model - IDF Female Soldier, Caracal Battalion

Labels: DEF Model - IDF Female Soldier Caracal Battalion Posted by Calvin Tan at 18:00

Through the kind courtesy of Hyun Jin, here is my take on DEF Model's premiere 1/20 scale IDF female soldier. She will make her public debut at the Malaysia Miniature Hobby Show in Penang over this weekend. It was primed in Gunze Sanyo black and grey Surfacer and entirely hand painted in acrylics with the use of the Vallejo retarder medium to enable a smooth and even spread of paint for the tonal transitions. This figure was a digital sculpt and materialized though 3D printing. It is currently available in 1/20 and 1/35 scale at this time of writing.