A Roundup of 2024

Here is the roundup from the year 2024. This year I am glad to be able to clear some figures from my stash and channel more effort into the groundwork and presentation. Here's wishing everyone a happy new year.

Calvin

Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, Solomon Islands, 1943

It looks like I might get to complete this figure before 2024 closes.

Cheers,

Calvin

Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, Solomon Islands, 1943

I am currently working on this 1/32 scale portrait of USMC fighter ace Pappy Boyington from Ultracast. Unbeknownst to many, this figure is sculpted by veteran sculptor Tom Meier of Ral Pathra and Tunderbolt Miniatures fame. It is absolutely wonderful to see Tom Meier showcasing his artistic talent on a historical subject. The likeness, anatomy, drappery, and details are very well sculpted, and I had a delightful time putting paint on this lovely figure. Let's hope I can get him completed before the close of 2024. 

Cheers,

Calvin

SS-Schütze, 11.SS Freiwilliegen-Panzergrenadier Division "Nordland", 1944-45

I am satisfied with how this quick project turned out. It started last Friday evening, and the finishing touches were added last night. The fast turnaround on this figure is attributed to a change in my painting technique—in which I no longer use a black undercoat and instead opted to matt varnish my figures at the start. This unorthodox approach, combined with the attributes of AK Interactive's Gen 3 acrylic paints and mediums, has halved my working speed and tripled my annual output. Perhaps it is time to record another instructional video to document this method. 

Cheers,

Calvin

SS-Schütze, 11.SS Freiwilliegen-Panzergrenadier Division "Nordland", 1944-45

I have always wanted to paint this figure but had not the time to do it till last weekend. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Alpine Miniatures - US 3rd Infantry Division, ETO 1944-45

Here are some more images of the complete figure photographed against a scenic backdrop. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Alpine Miniatures - US 3rd Infantry Division, ETO 1944-45

This is a sneak preview of the 1/16 scale figure from Alpine Miniatures, which I have just completed last evening. In a stroke of inspiration, I added a prayer cross in his left hand as a dichotomy to the gun slung over his shoulder, reinforcing the visual narrative.

Cheers,

Calvin

Alpine Miniatures - US 3rd Infantry Division, ETO 1944-45

More refinements and groundwork done. It is beginning to look the part.

Cheers,

Calvin

Alpine Miniatures - US 3rd Infantry Division, ETO 1944-45

This is a work in progress of an upcoming 1/16 scale release from Alpine Miniatures sculpted by John Rosengrant. Painted with  AK-Interactive Gen 3 acrylics. 

Cheers,

Calvin

A Look at What's Cooking

A 1/35 scale drum barrel from MiniArt with a handpainted motif.

Cheers,

Calvin

US Marines, Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada, 1983

 A little more work done this evening. 

Cheers,

Calvin

US Marines, Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada, 1983

The first from a pair of figures from Mantis Miniatures I am resuming work on. 

The before (left) and after (right) corrections made from the feedback provided by the Facebook modelling community. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Hornet Models - 1/35 scale Commonwealth Soldier

Finally done with this piece after fumbling around with the groundwork for more than 7 weeks. After modelling for so many years, this is my first attempt in creating a body of water for my groundwork. It is not as straightforward as I thought and I hope that the mistakes are adequately concealed. Nonetheless I had fun creating this piece and I hope you will enjoy the photos of the outcome.

The base colour for the British army battle dress consists of a 1:1 mixture of British Uniform and Mud Brown. With the base colour, Light Earth is added for highlights and Grim Brown for the intermediate shadows. Grim Brown is used straight from the bottle for the deepest shadows and Brown Black ink is used to outline the seams and reinforce the deep shadows. Sheen caused by the ink is matted down with AK Ultra Matt Varnish. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Hornet Models - 1/35 scale Commonwealth Soldier

 A little more progress today.

Cheers,

Calvin

Hornet Models - 1/35 scale Commonwealth Soldier

 Adding some Hessian scrim to the helmet.

Cheers,

Calvin

Hornet Models - 1/35 scale Commonwealth Soldier

 Detailing the uniform and ammo pouches this weekend.

Cheers,

Calvin

Hornet Models - 1/35 scale Commonwealth Soldier

 Moving on to the body.

Cheers,

Calvin

Hornet Models - 1/35 scale Commonwealth Soldier

 Started on another old classic figure from Hornet Models.

Cheers,

Calvin