PERSPECTIVES IN MINIATURE: December 2022

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, 31 December 2022

Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 191, Ostfront 1944

Labels: Tamiya Posted by Calvin Tan at 23:01

Looks like I managed to keep on track to hammer this figure out before the end of 2022.

Here's wishing everyone a happy new year!

Calvin

Friday, 30 December 2022

Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 191, Ostfront 1944

Labels: Tamiya Posted by Calvin Tan at 01:04

I am working on a classic Tamiya figure, sculpted by Yoshitaka Hirano, which is part of the Strumtiger kit. I have had a fondness for this figure since I saw Stefan Muller-Herdmertens' rendition of it in Tony Greenland's book Panzer Modelling Masterclass in the early 1990s. To enhance the figure, I swapped the head with another from Tamiya's Wehrmacht tank crew set (35354) and used a hand from Royal Model to hold the mallet. Additionally, I sharpened the lapels and left hand with a scalpel and added the insignias after the tunic was painted. I am hopeful that I can complete this project by the end of 2022 or make it the first figure of 2023.

Cheers,

Calvin

Monday, 26 December 2022

A Round Up of 2022

Posted by Calvin Tan at 21:17

This is a round up of almost all the projects I managed to complete throughout this year. As you can see, I have been a rather industrious. The reason being that I have completely overhauled my painting and modelling technique to work faster and more efficiently. I would also like to thank long time partners (Alpine Miniatures and Young Miniatures) and new collaborators(Royal Model, HD Model) for allowing me to paint their box illustrations. Last but not least, I would also like to extend my appreciation to AK Interactive for their generous support in this journey. Here's looking forward to another good year ahead for 2023.

Cheers,

Calvin

Sunday, 25 December 2022

Unternehmen Greif - Einhelt Steilau, December 1944

Labels: Young Miniatures Posted by Calvin Tan at 23:45

I am so glad to get this shelve queen completed before the end of the year. To refresh your memory, this piece was the subject of three YouTube video demos.

It languished on my shelve for more than two years and until last week when I got over the doldrums and got it completed over this Christmas weekend. As a twist, I decided to portray a German commando from Otto Skozeny's Einhelt Stteilau during Operation Greif - and hence the blue scarf. My apologies to the fans of the Band of Brothers drama series but my impression of this bust is that of British thespian Damien Lewis in a G.I. costume. On a light-hearted note, do consider this as a mash-up of Band of Brothers and Homeland.

Cheers,

Calvin

Merry Christmas!

Posted by Calvin Tan at 01:00

Calvin

Saturday, 24 December 2022

Unternehmen Greif - Einhelt Steilau, December 1944

Labels: Young Miniatures Posted by Calvin Tan at 00:06

Attempting to cram this out before the end of 2022.

Cheers,

Calvin

Thursday, 22 December 2022

101st Airborne Division, Normandy 1944

Posted by Calvin Tan at 01:10

Finally completed.

Cheers,

Calvin

Saturday, 17 December 2022

101st Airborne Division, Normandy 1944

Posted by Calvin Tan at 23:49

Work resumes on this figure which started early last November. I fashioned the hessian camouflage scrim strips and chin straps for the M1C paratrooper helmet with thinly rolled out black Milliput. Hopefully I can get this figure squared away before the end of the Christmas holiday.

Cheers,

Calvin

Thursday, 15 December 2022

US 4th Infantry Division, Germany 1945

Labels: Tamiya, Tamiya US Infantry Scout Set Posted by Calvin Tan at 15:42

Another one completed for this month of December.

Cheers,

Calvin

Tuesday, 13 December 2022

US 4th Infantry Division, Germany 1945

Labels: Tamiya Posted by Calvin Tan at 23:24

I could not resist adding a M7 rifle grenade launcher to the M1 Garand to enhance the visual interest to this figure.

Cheers,

Calvin

Half-Day Painting Demonstration

Labels: Alpine Miniatures Posted by Calvin Tan at 10:57

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting a special guest from Korea for a half-day painting demonstration at my home. We covered a wide range of topics related to the painting of a figure, including the face, helmet, uniform, weapon (wooden stock), modelling of straps in epoxy putty, and groundwork. As can be seen from the final result, most of the parts of the figure are still far from completion and should be considered more of a colour sketch than a final product. Nonetheless, it does provide an insight into the painting process. The painting was done using Gen 3 AK Interactive Acrylics.

Cheers,

Calvin

Sunday, 11 December 2022

US 4th Infantry Division, Germany 1945

Labels: Tamiya, Tamiya US Infantry Scout Set Posted by Calvin Tan at 13:58

Cheers,

Calvin

Friday, 9 December 2022

Unteroffizier - Holland 1940

Labels: Alpine Miniatures, Miniart Posted by Calvin Tan at 01:12

First one down for the month of December. I have painted a lot of Alpine figures and this is probably the most fun I ever had painting. Everything about this sculpt is exceptionally well done and I would go as far to say that this is Taesung's best sculpt to date. I highly recommend this piece and from what I know it even comes with detailed painting instructions and complimentary paints too!