PERSPECTIVES IN MINIATURE: December 2023

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. .

Sunday, 31 December 2023

A Round Up of 2023

Posted by Calvin Tan at 00:43

2023 is at an end and here is my round up of this year's efforts. I am glad that I have been able to be consistent with last year's output and hopefully 2024 will be the same for me.

Happy New Year!

Calvin

Saturday, 30 December 2023

Panzer-Kompanie 315, Normandy 1944

Labels: Takahashi Modelling Posted by Calvin Tan at 03:35

Calling this done before the close of 2023.

Cheers,

Calvin

Wednesday, 27 December 2023

Panzer-Kompanie 315, Normandy 1944

Labels: Takahashi Modelling Posted by Calvin Tan at 22:53

More progress made this evening.

Cheers,

Calvin

Tuesday, 26 December 2023

Panzer-Kompanie 315, Normandy 1944

Labels: Takahashi Modelling Posted by Calvin Tan at 01:38

I am still trying to complete my 2023's resolution of finishing up another shelf queen. This figure is from Takahashi Modelling and bears my old hallmark of the black primer undercoat - a step in which I have stopped using since 2022. I decided to stage him performing field maintenance at a bivouac and thus populated the surroundings with accessories from Tamiya, RFM and Academy. The grey boxes at the back are 3D printed offerings from Lithokraft.

Cheers,

Calvin

Thursday, 21 December 2023

Alpine Miniatures - Sentry Duty, 1944

Labels: Alpine Miniatures Posted by Calvin Tan at 00:44

Another figure completed ahead of the Christmas weekend. The wooden ammo crates are from Tamiya, .30 cal ammo cans from Ultracast and the chair from Miniart Models. The markings on the M1917 ammo packing boxes and .30cal ammo cans are decals from DEF Models (35008). The pine cones are from HD Models. The rifle sling is from MJ Miniatures [MJEZ35034 ]1/35 M1 Garland Sling Set and the 2nd Infantry Division shoulder patch is a decal from Passion Models [P35D-001] US Army Emblem Decal Set.

Cheers,

Calvin

Tuesday, 19 December 2023

Alpine Miniatures - Sentry Duty, 1944

Labels: Alpine Miniatures Posted by Calvin Tan at 03:13

A simple conversion based on Alpine Miniatures 35242 - WW2 US Jeep Driver.

Cheers,

Calvin

Wednesday, 13 December 2023

Captain, US 1st Calvary Division, Vietnam, 1967

Labels: Verlinden Productions Posted by Calvin Tan at 00:36

Finally done.

Cheers,

Calvin

Monday, 11 December 2023

Verlinden Productions - US Infantryman, Vietnam 1967

Labels: Verlinden Productions Posted by Calvin Tan at 12:28

Adding in the rifle sling, the M1956 butt pack and canteen.

Cheers,

Calvin

Sunday, 10 December 2023

Verlinden Productions - US Infantryman, Vietnam 1967

Labels: Verlinden Productions Posted by Calvin Tan at 00:40

Some progress this evening. I corrected the colour for the jungle fatigues and attached the right arm to the body.

Cheers,

Calvin

Thursday, 7 December 2023

Verlinden Productions - US Infantryman, Vietnam 1967

Labels: Verlinden Productions Posted by Calvin Tan at 16:36

This is an old Roger Saunders sculpt from the 1980's which was part of Verlinden Productions initial range of 54mm metal figures. I did a "face off" with a Hornet head taken from HH38 War faces and raised the shoulders to depict a commander in a ragging fit.