Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Horan Figure of the Week, 72nd Highlanders, 1857

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Sunday, March 28, 2010

New Feature - Video Tutorials - Part I

Here is the first trial at making a video on how I go about sculpting figures. It's a bit rough but decent for not knowing how to use the editing program etc etc. So hopefully as we get deeper and deeper into the sculpt the videos will get better and better.

I would love feedback on these three videos which makes up Part I of the sculpting video series. I had to make them less then 10 minutes long each, otherwise they would not let it upload. I hope to find a 'cure' for this so entire 'chapters' can be uploaded as opposed to breaking it into sections.

You might need to turn up the volume to hear the narrative, which is also a work in progress!

At any rate. Here are the videos. I would love feedback on these so send me an email or post a comment here on the blog.

-Making the Mannequin-

Part I


Part II


Part III

Coming Soon -New Feature to The Bench-

Finally, after some technical battles I can now announce that there will be a new feature every week (time permitting) here on "The Bench". I won't go into too much detail at this moment, but I'll post some teaser pictures until ready to release more information. I have to say I am pretty excited about this!

Have to give a shout out to my good friend and brother in arms Stephen Ward, he's been part of the initial stages of the upcoming project and his help is very appreciated! Thanks man.
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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Horan Figure of the Week, 24th Regt of Foot, 1800

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Sunday, March 21, 2010

Thomas Jefferson, 54mm WIP, - Part 3 -

Here is a little bit of progress on TJ. Have not had much time at the bench since the last posting, been busy watching hockey...play off's are just around the corner! Go Detroit Redwings!! Anyway...here are some updated pictures. Some clean up of the brass parts and various small details and he is finished.


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Horan Figure of the Week: The Prisoner, Tel El Kebir 1882

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Thomas Jefferson, 54mm WIP, - Part 2 -

Here is some more progress on "TJ". Not a whole lot, just working on the trousers and the socks. It's really hard for me to paint the socks on these sorts of figures, it's the shape of the calf as well as the need for really smooth transitions, especially on a subject like this, which would not get very dirty, especially in the setting that has been chosen for this piece. Up next is the coat! Should proove to be a fun excersise!
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Thomas Jefferson, 54mm WIP - Part 1 -

Taking a short break from the drummer I decided to start painting this figure, a piece which was sculpted over 10 months ago, so it is about time he gets some paint on him! In these pictures the only thing done is the face and the hair is probably done as well. Though I usually end up tweaking the figure here and there until it is completed on it's base. So still early, but will post more once I get somewhere!
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Friday, March 12, 2010

Custom Figure Bases

An aspect a lot of people overlook when creating their figures is the base on which the piece is attached to. All to many just put their passionate figure work on a random piece of wood, sometimes not even wood but some other material. To me, the base is as important as the figure, you should have a base that complements the project you are doing and one that helps the presenatation as a whole.

Recently I came in contact with a gentleman named Gerald Smith, who makes costum bases, he pretty much will do anything you could ever want or need, and probably then some. I first contacted him about an abnormally large base for a vignette/diorama I'm doing. After some back and forth regarding the material the base was completed, and it is a beauty. It is the one in the three picture series below. The top is one piece of Cocobolo wood with gorgeous grain and finish! It is just one example of his excellent craftmanship, the other bases were also made by Gerald.

What is really cool is that if you find a piece of wood you like, Gerald will be happy to make anything you need out of that piece of wood. I love to look for wood online, there are some amazing pieces out there that will help you costumize the perfect base for your projects. Just do a google search for Exotic Hardwood and you will find plenty, and Ebay is a good choice as well. It isn't always cheap, but the figure you are putting on the finished product is well worth it. Most of the time you can get several bases out of one piece of wood as well, so per base it is not that much. I can't think of a way to get more control over your project then that, it is a lot of fun and very rewarding. Really, it is the first time that I've experienced such liberty with the bases, it is awesome not to be limited by the bases you can find that's already finished, now only your imagination will hold you back.

I would highly recommend Gerald to anyone wanting a specific base made or just for a normal single figure base. He is very particular with his work and will work with you until you are happy with the end result. If you need a base send him an email through this link , Email Gerald.




Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Horan figure of the Week: Officer, 92nd (Gordon) Highlanders, 1879