DEF Model - Heer Tank Crew in Drillichzug

I just completed a quick 1/35 scale painting assignment from DEF Model. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Dynamo Models - SS-s Pz.Abt., 101 Normandy, 1944

Moving on to the second "half" figure from the set. 

 Cheers,

Calvin

SS-Sturmbannführer, KG-LSSAH, Kamenets–Podolsky Pocket, 1944

Here is another piece completed for this month of January. What started out as a side quest got completed ahead of my box art assignment. This is the first time I experimented with AK Quick Gen paints to render the U-Boat leather jacket. I found it relatively quicker and easier to replicate the black leather effects as compared to using artist inks. Employing AK's Ultra Matt Varnish as a painting medium has been a game changer for me to achieve smooth tonal transitions without struggling with watermarks.

The groundwork consists of sandbags from MiniArt Models (skinned with Super Fine Milliput). The frost is recreated with glass powder secured with AK Ultra Matt Varnish. Tellermine and containers are from HD Models. 

Cheers,

Calvin

SS-Sturmbannführer, KG-LSSAH, Kamenets–Podolsky Pocket, 1944

The groundwork is coming along. Tellermines are from HD Models. Sandbags from Miniart. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Dynamo Models - SS-s Pz.Abt., 101 Normandy, 1944

The first figure from Dynamo Model's #35DM108 WSS-Tiger "222" Crew Normandy 1944 (Big Set) is completed. Moving forward to the other three figures (2 full and one 1/4 for the driver.)

Cheers,

Calvin

Dynamo Models - SS-s Pz.Abt., 101 Normandy, 1944

A little more progress today in refining the camouflage pattern. It involves a lot of back and forths and may appear messy in the beginning, but essentially it is about getting things wrong first to determine what is right later.

Cheers,

Calvin

Dynamo Models - SS-s Pz.Abt., 101 Normandy, 1944

I am starting on a new 1/35 scale box art assignment on Dynamo Model's #35DM108 WSS-Tiger "222" Crew Normandy 1944 (Big Set). 

This set has been around since October 2024 and was previewed in The Modelling News.  I suppose 'box art pending' refers to my involvement.  Let's see if this project can lead to some fruitful collaborations in the future ;-). 

 

The figures in this set are 3D printed. The details are very sharp, fine and extremely delicate. I do warn everyone to pay careful attention to handling them – especially the shoulder boards, which are moulded separately. This figure is undercoated with AK RC-801 Flat Varnish. I added some Tamiya Flat Base to the mix to increase the porosity of the base so that it can improve the absorption of paint.

Below is the result from three evening painting sessions. Unlike in the past, I painted the base colour (AK 11419 Waffen Red Brown + AK 1108 Grimy Grey + AK 11328 RAL 8012 Rottbraun) alongside the patterns. This ensures that the paint remains evenly levelled. Painting over the base colour often results in "bumps"—especially with heavy-body paints like acrylics and enamels. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Leutnant, Brandenburg Division, Operation Rösselsprung, Yugoslavia, 1944

My first figure for 2026 – and don't worry, I did not paint this overnight. In fact, it started with the head back in August 2025 when I was designing the 3Gen and Quick Gen combination set for painting skin tones for AK Interactive. Feeling rather satisfied with the result, there was this irresistible desire to pair it with a body. It was about the same time in which AK released the range of Quick Gen paints, and I used it to great effect to recreate the ubiquitous lines on the Splittermuster pattern. In all, this was a rather straightforward painting exercise: the all-time classic "soldier carrying his firearm standing on a patch of grass" setup.
Last but not least, if you are asking about the shrubs framing the figure, these are 3D-printed plants from H-Diorama Gallery.

Cheers,

Calvin

SS Freiwilligen Legion Niederlande, Narva, 1944

Getting ready for my painting workshop at 模樂堂 Happy Hobby in Hong Kong this weekend. I will be showcasing my updated painting workflow using AK Interactive's Quick Gen and 3Gen acrylics for painting 1/35 scale figures using Alpine Miniatures 35236 WSS Grenadier at Kharkov. Here's looking forward to meeting everyone who has signed up. The workshop will be conducted in Mandarin and Chinglish.

Close-up of the groundwork, which consists mainly of accessories from MiniArt Models. The bucket and corn cobs are from HD Model.

Cheers,

Calvin

Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry - Operation Martlet - Normandy 1944

Another figure completed for this month of November. Towards the final stages of completion, I serendipitously incorporated a torn Nazi flag into the defiant pose, thereby reinforcing the symbolism of this piece.  It's fully painted with AK Quick Gen and Gen 3 acrylics. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry - Operation Martlet - Normandy 1944

This is a work-in-progress of the third version of this Alpine Miniatures figure that I painted for the painting workshop at ScaleACT 2025 in Canberra last weekend. I decided to have some fun with the groundwork and placed it onto the wreckage of a Panzer IV from Ryefield Models. Painted with AK Gen 3 and Quick Gen acrylics.

Cheers,

Calvin

ScaleACT, Canberra, 2025

Gearing up for next weekend's 1-day painting workshop in Canberra, Australia, with this painting sample accomplished with AK Gen 3 and Quick Gen acrylics. For those who have signed up (you know who you are) for the workshop, this will be the specimen you will be following. Please note that I will be sharing my approach to optimising the use of AK-Interactive's Gen 3 and Quick Gen to attain smooth tonal transitions in record time. I do need to emphasise that this workshop can improve your knowledge of figure painting; it cannot fix deeper issues like how you behave in group settings or your general baseline mood. That’s a job for incremental lifestyle changes sustained over time. Anyhow, here's looking forward to seeing all of you next weekend.

Cheers,

Calvin

US 1st Marine Division, Operation Desert Storm, Kuwait 1991

This is the box art of a US Marine from Operation Desert Storm. It is a 1/10 scale bust from Young Miniatures, and it is painted with AK Gen 3 and Quick Gen acrylics. I really enjoyed painting this piece, especially having watched the movie Jarhead starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Foxx. It should hit the retail shelves sometime next week or at the Young Miniatures trade stand at SMC next weekend.  

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - LSSAH, Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein, 1944

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - LSSAH, Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein, 1944

Done for now.

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - LSSAH, Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein, 1944

It has been a trying few days to get the helmet cover to a decent level of satisfaction using the AK Quick Gen acrylics for the blurred edge overprint. 

Cheers,

Calvin