Showing posts with label The M Workshop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The M Workshop. Show all posts

Sunday, 31 December 2017

Alpine Miniatures - US Tankcrew, Ardennes 1944


I am calling this done before 2017 draws to a close. The crates and ammo containers were taken from AFV Club Set AF35184 - Ammunition Crates and Containers for 105mm Howitzer. The groundwork consisted of a mix of dried oregano leafs and those made from Fimo Deco Gel - a technique I developed 10 years ago.

Finally as part of the model display at Minicon TEN 2017 on last Saturday 30 December.


Here's wishing everyone a joyous new year ahead.

Cheers,

Calvin



Monday, 27 November 2017

Workshop on Basic Hand Painting Techniques at Miniature Art Studio


Over the weekend of 25 November, I conducted a full day demo and hands-on workshop on basic hand painting techniques at the premise of Miniature Art Studio. Given the short notice we were fortunate to gather 10 enthusiastic participants to sign up. It was a full day painting event which includes a 1/35 Alpine figure, Vallejo Paints and a bento set-lunch.


My main objective for this workshop was to impart the basic understanding of paint application necessary to create a smooth gradient for tonal and color transitions. Personally this is an optimum size for a full day workshop as it allows me sufficient time to provide personalized guidance for each participant.



As a surprise for the attendees, a lucky draw was held towards the end of the workshop to give away the demo figure specially painted for this workshop. Congratulations to Raymond for being the lucky recipient.

A group photo with all the event participants with their hard work in hand. 

A special thanks to Michael and Bernard for organizing the event and Mun Wai and Wen Pu for helping out with the logistics for the day.



Cheers,

Calvin



Wednesday, 7 November 2012

M-CON 2012


After a four year hiatus, the second installment of M-CON was held over the past weekend boasting  a spike of stellar exhibits from the previous 2008 edition.


 
 
 

The event was notably graced by the special guest appearance of world renown Korean miniature sculptor Song Young-Bok of Young Miniatures fame. Multi-award winning Malaysian figure modeller Allan Yong also flew down from Vietnam to serve on our judging panel - adding to the star presence of the show.

 

An exclusive workshop and demonstration was conducted by Young-Bok on miniature sculpting and myself on acrylic painting techniques. This was a real feast for some of our local modellers to see an overseas master "live" at work.

  

We were also treated to some of Young's original pieces for the event - including his most recent releases of the WWI British Tommy and Korean War US Marine.

 
 
 

Amongst the numerous outstanding competition entries, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the work of Michael Lee. Michael is a relatively new comer to the local figure modelling scene but he took to it like a fish to water - no doubt due to his professional background as a freelance graphic artist. His rendition of Young Miniature's Polish hussar was one of the show stoppers - at least for me.



The intricate paint work on the leopard skin and bold rendering on the armor demonstrated a high level of skill and artistry. Here he is receiving his well deserved accolade from Young-Bok.


Another equally outstanding entry from Michael was The Hobbit (no doubt from the Lord Of The Rings). Notice his artistic sensibilities in play with the textbook use of Yellow-Violet complementary scheme and the deft rendering of the illuminated lantern.



Overall I must say that the weekend of M-CON 2012 was sensational - despite the awful downpour on Sunday afternoon. It was an excellent opportunity to meet up with old acquaintances and forge new contacts. One can sense a great deal of synergy amongst the modellers and participants as they interacted amongst the competition displays. The organizing committee headed by Bernard Cher from the M-Workshop has once again pulled off a very successful show. Kudos to them for a job well done! Perhaps we could aspire to have the third installment a little sooner in three or two years perhaps ;)

Cheers,

Calvin



Thursday, 27 November 2008

M CON - A Resounding Success!!!!!

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After many months of anticipation and planning, the premier scale modelling event in Singapore has finally came to a successful conclusion over the last weekend. Expectations of crowd turn-out and entries far superseded everyone's expectation(mine included) as from what I understood a major Gundam modelling contest held in the vicinity as well.
Nonetheless, great displays provided by both the contestants and jury; coupled with the central location downtown still made it irresistible for some to sneak a long lunch break during the week days to soak up the wonderful atmosphere here.

Apart from being entrusted with the key role of judging the contest entries in a panel of top notch local modellers; I was also scheduled to conduct a painting demo workshop and sculpting presentation last Friday night and co-chaired a talk/presentation on armor modelling with Dinesh on the following day.

Though I've taken privy to post some pictures taken from my camera, do also check out the additional reports and pictures for both event and contest entries as well as the modelling scene in Singapore over at SprueCutters and Plamo Forum.

The view of the exhibition hall from the front entrance.

Dinesh, John and Leslie judging the aircraft category.

Siew Keong and I judging the ships category.

The turn-out on Sunday afternoon for the awards ceremony.

The folks from the M Workshop who formed part of the organizing and staff committee of M Con 2008.

As an afterthought, I must express that it was a great privilege to have been a part of this premier scale modelling event. Though it was the first ever event managed by the organizing and staff committee, everyone clearly knew their roles and when necessary, eagerly chipped in to get matters resolved.Well done folks!

Despite the humble number of entries, the judges still took pains to go through each submitted entry as to ensure the rewards were fairly meted out .

The visitor turn-out was also surprising good. I noticed a lot of interaction and sharing of concepts techniques and ideas amongst the modellers themselves. I wished I could have more time to mingle more but alas like most shows, time was limited. Nonetheless, there's always the opportunity to meet up at the M Workshop to pick up where the conversation last stopped.

Finally, here's a snapshot of the 1/9 scale bust sculpted by Hiroyuki Ishii-Sensei sponsored by Young Miniatures which was the subject of my "live" demo workshop last Friday night. He looks happier here than on the box art; perhaps getting pulled back from the foxhole to get some hot chow. More on that soon and especially on rendering of the wool texture.


cheers,

Calvin



Sunday, 9 November 2008

Alpine Miniatures - KG Peiper Ardennes 1944


Here's the first cut of the KG Peiper figures for the official box-art. I'm still planning to add some debris and litter to the groundwork but reckon I will leave them out for now so as to give an unobstructed view of the figure for the box art



One more spare head to complete before I conclude this project for this week.

While we're still on the topic of winter, here are some WIP shots of Dinesh's MILF (Marders I Love to Fix). You gotta love these topless models as it really flashes a lot of gorgeous details. The faded white wash over the sand yellow base is deftly applied like a white transulent satin nightie. I'm loving what's been done so far and I'am seriously looking forward to seeing him close the deal and bring this baby home yeah!!!

 
 
 


Calvin



Tuesday, 7 October 2008

OFF TO KOREA.....

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Before I head off to the airport this evening to attend NOVEM 2008, a scale figure show organized by Young Miniatures in Korea, here are some pictures of a recent collaboration I did with K G Lim (aka Chef Lim to those who know him at the M Workshop).
The Panzer III was the credit of Chef Lim 's deft handiwork. I'm unable to describe further about the build as my involvement was solely a spur of the moment impetus to paint the tank commander from Doug Originals.
So moving on to the figure instead, I must comment that the fittings are very well engineered, needing very minimal clean-up with nubs assisting the alignment of critical parts such as the waist and the upper torso. The figure came together just within minutes after it was opened. Anatomy is spot on and details are crisp; but what I enjoyed from this short painting exercise was painting the drapery. It's very well defined, not too excessive or subtle yet not overly stylized; making it very friendly for beginners to approach. I'm definitely looking forward for my next spur to paint another from Doug's Originals.

 
 

Hopefully the next time I will be writing from Korea featuring some exciting coverage on NOVEM 2008 and the modelling scene there.
cheers,

Calvin