Happy 2008 Planeteers,

I've just finished Young's Optio Bust so thought I'd share with you, still in 2 minds over whether the feathers work or not. These along with the transverse crest were an important rank distinction for Optios versus Centurions - what do you guys think? Should I leave them on or off?

Any thoughts, feedback or comments most welcome.

You'll find extensive notes and additional Step By Step pictures here:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/medrenfig/messages/?msg=2194.1

Kind regards to all,
Mike

Michael J Butler
Host MedRom Forum
http://forums.delphiforums.com/medrenfig

Hey Mike,

It has been a Long time! How are you? I like the look of this guy.

Joe

Well, no one can be sure about the colours of the crest but I love it

Hello Mike,

I like the feathered version. It sets it apart from all the others done. Excellent painting.

Mike, I really like the way you painted this bust, my compliments.

Don't be a stranger, drop in once in a while, always good to hear from you.

Cheers
Roc.

Mike, really nice work. I love the feathers, leave 'em for sure. Makes this piece stand out. Like the choice of the plaid as well. As irony would have it, I have been working on this very peice as we speak as well!! I'm doing mine for a commision piece. I've been painting all day on mine as a mater of fact, and it was a pleasent surprise to sit down here and see your version! I like the conversion of the plaid cloak in place of the wolf pelt, and I see you went with the red enameling in the buttons on the helmet, nice touch. (Oh yeah, I sneek over to MedRom now and again!) Thanks for sharing!

Jay H.
OKC

Not sure if it is accurate but what the hey... it looks good. I'd leave 'em.

Wonderful piece, Mike. Especially the patterned cloth over the cuirass.

Keith

Great work! love the convertion...

Yep i sure like it more like this !! it makes it stand out , and aesthetically looks pretty good .

Nice work

Costas

Mike's Optio Bust

Thank Joe and Happy 2008 to you mate, sorry have been flat out with this project, family activities and work so have not been able to get everything done online as I would have hoped, such as tapping into those excellent Chicago Show photos you took. Still have that Figure shows video you gave me years ago and from time to time take a quick squiz through it to remind me of the big trip back in 2002, who knows hopefully I'll return one day.

Hope the family are all well.

Take care,

Mike

Hi Roc,

Sorry mate I don't contribute here as much as I would like, I do have a small project on the bench I will look at adding here as I progress it.

Also you are welcome over at MedRom if you get a chance, I loved seeing your Winged Hussar by Almond, an absolute icon for me as we once used it as the Brand image for a small mail order business I ran back in the the early 90's . So long ago, way before for the internet made such enterprises unecessary.

Take care,

Mike

Mike,
I like him without the feather. Great work.

Marc

Vergilius - thanks mate, yep no real evidence for multi coloured crests but lots of illustrations show these around the time period, show thought I'd add for a change.

Guy, Ernesto and Costas, nice to get your positive comments guys, aethestics is one thing I try to achieve but balance with a "realistic" gritty air which does result in a more "dulled" down version than others. Hopefully I get some where near for both, really enjoyed this project although it was fiddly and took ages to complete.

Keith, glad to hear the cloak works for you, I spent many hours trying to get this to looked like a weaved shawl or blanket. This was done both with physical texturing as well as painting "trickery" - the former seems to have worked better than the latter but have learnt a heap which I will take into my current project - a great 90mm Celt by Shane Tarry.

Gotta roll guys thanks again to all of you for taking the time to comment.

Mike

Jay - Happy 2008 mate!!

Yep red glass in the front decorative buttons and blue in the back ones, all courtesy of some Gunze Sanyo\Tamiya clear colours. They can be a pig to work with but can't be beaten for effect, give 'em a go if can, you could also use green as another option.

Also glad to hear you call by MedRom from time to time ;-)
Would love to have a photo or two of your version shared there on the thread I've started on this bust, with some notes on your approach would help round it out nicely and would be fascinated to hear how you went about it. Also great news to hear that you are being commissioned for Busts, I thought collectors only went after full figures - there may be hope for me yet

Take care,

Mike

Hi Marc,

Yep without the feathers is a preference for me at present, they are very fiddlely and I have left them loose for mounting on base and transport for now. If you look carefully I've already had small accidents with both of them being damaged and requiring running repairs.

Thanks for your thought.

Mike

Hi Mike
A really well painted bust my friend,i like it with or without the feathers.
Happy New Year
Brian

Hi Mike,

How's it going mate? Nice to see you here. The bust looks fabulous. The feathers look a bit stiff and unconvincing to me. You might try replacing them with real feathers. Try out a shop which sells fly-tying supplies for fishermen.

The one strange note, which is not your fault, is the REALLY skinny nose on the figure. It looks like a bad nose job ala Michael Jackson..... !

Ouch!!

Cheers!!

Mike Good

Hi Bri,

Good to hear from you & Happy 2008 as well, been missing you what are you working on nowadays?

Mike

Mike G's Advice

Mike - you da man! Spot on with both comments mate, you don't miss a trick. I know you are a whiz with the feathers and was toying with the idea of some real ones, though should really have gone the whole hog if doing that and filled the crest with shaving brush bristles as well. Will keep my eye out for some suitable feathers, think these ones may work better with the full array on the Polish Winged Hussar, but lack something as single units.

On the nose: total short cut on my part. Always niggled me the nose and tried my best to get is looking OK with the paintwork but should have taken the plunge and resculpted or bulked it up, unlike our namesake Jacko, that would have been a realistic option.

Oh well you live and learn, will have to see what I pick for the next bust. May even have to dig out one of yours ;-)

Dude have a splendid 2008!

Thanks for the feedback,

Mike

Optio Updated

Hi Mike,

Took your advice and added some real feathers, much happier with these.
Photo's a bit ropey, but see what you think anyway. Couple more shots over at MedRom

Mike

P.S. My other shots are here:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/medrenfig/messages?msg=2194.102