It's been a few years since I completed a figure project, but I finally got in gear and finished a figure that's been on my bench since it's release. This is the Young Miniatures Viking in 90mm. My photography is a bit weak and I'm not all that thrilled with how it turned out, but it was nice to shake the rust off and try and get back to painting! Your feedback would be welcome!

fantastic! You guys from up north never cease to amaze me. Do you and Glenn Hamilton know each other? I really like the fur and how he looks so natural in front of the rock face. Could you share how you made your tree? Do you use Asperagas ferns for the leaves? I have been trying to figure this out for a long time.

Thanks for the pics. I might use this type of idea for my Poste Militaire Macbeth figure if I ever get around to it.

Gary

Very nice. I especially like the groundwork. The tree in the scene adds tons of realism.

Hey Gary
Yeah, Glenn and I go way back, our miniature club (all 3 of us) had a meeting a few weeks ago, which helped inspire me enough to finish this piece.
The tree is a wood dowel ground to a point. I douse it in white glue and then roll it in fine sawdust and paint it a few shades of brown for a bark effect. Then drill holes and insert fern leaves for branches.
I noticed Charles King has a "how to" here, http://www.armorama.com, a little different than the way I do it, but with the same effect!
Cheers
Mark

Thanks Mark. Yeah I see Charles King uses Asparagas ferns as well. I will definitely try both methods. I have never met Glenn but I have followed his work closely. He is very skilled as well.
I wish we had a miniatures club here in Calgary to learn from. Magazines and internet are a poor substitute for hands on learning. I only know of one guy that's you guy's calibre but he wants to charge a fair amount of money to teach others how to figure paint. Oh well.... someday we'll get a club!!

Gary

Hey Gary
I was living in Ottawa when Shep Paine and Peter Twist came to deliver some dioramas to the National Aviation Museum. A few of us paid their expenses to stay the weekend and teach us some painting and conversion techniques. My figure painting was going nowhere and watching Shep for a couple of hours was like a light from heaven, I finally got it! What impressed me the most was Shep's free and easy sharing of the craft, no secret techniques etc. he shared it all for the benefit of the group and the hobby. I'll always owe him for that!

I'm no Shep Paine, but if you ever find yourself in Edmonton or if I find myself in Calgary I'd be more than willing to show you what I do! If your like me sometimes you just need to see it in person. I'm color blind so I can't show you any great color techniques but the rest is just basics and practice!

When you live in a province the size of California and you can count the figure painters on one hand it's tough.
Cheers
Mark

Thanks for the offer! I would definitely take you up on it. It sure would have been nice to see the both those fellows. I would have liked to talk to Peter Twist on how he paints over decals etc. I have Sheperd Paines books and have learnt alot from them.(I think I have just about every book there is on the subject). But it's just as you say, I just need to see it in person. I'm like you in that my painting isn't going anywhere even though I always seem to have 2 or 3 kits on the go, I am not improving. Thanks again and I hope to meet with you sometime.

Gary

Hi Mark,
What a great job on this kit. I love how you have handled the ground work, it is amazing, very natural looking. Are they real rocks that you have used?
The furs and leather on the figure are also very well done. I hope that this figure has got you back "in the groove", and that you show us more of your work.
Ben

Hey Mark,

Your Lord of the Fjord is a Viking worth liking! Don't worry, I've already smacked myself in the back of the head. I'm happy the meeting helped to push that one through the gate. The figure and groundwork really work well together - great job!

Brent

P.S. Gary - did you make it out to Nanton in May?

Thanks Ben! Always on the lookout for real rocks, moss, twigs and roots that will fit in scale with figure projects! I used some shale pieces in this one.

Hey Brent
Thanks Bud, seeing yours and Glenn's figures gave me a much needed boost to finish some of my projects off!
Pegaso's German Warrior is pretty much ready to go, so now for something in a deep and dark Black Forest vein, hmmm.
Cheers
Mark

Hi Brent. Yes I did go to Nanton this year. Were you there? It was by far the best show they have ever had. Over 500 kits were entered. I had 3 entered. The Romeo Tavern with the 3 figures, Andrea WWI stormtrooper bust, and the Andrea After the battle bust. Scott Pasishnek from Small Soldier won best figure for his 90mm Pegaso Templar Knight. It was a work of art.

Gary

I was there - perhaps we need to have big Samurai flags strapped on our backs to identify ourselves

Very nice Viking & setting Mark and hope the rust is replaced with gear oil now

Ray

Outstanding paint work Mark. The figure and the groundwork compliment each other perfectly.

Have you thought of adding a little bit of snow to the scene?

I used that technique years ago. It worked well. But after a year or so the Asparagas will become yellow and dry out.
Then it looks not so nice anymore.

Marc

Mark,
This is outstanding work. I really like everything what you did.

Marc

Marc, I now believe that the problem lies with the glycerine not being absorbed into the branches because of the stem. I cut some whole branches from the plant, treated them in the glycerine solution and the same thing happened. I know I left the branches on the stem and I think that was the mistake. The glycerine only soaked into the stem and not the branch. I think the secret is to cut the stem from the trunk of the plant, and cut the branches from the stem and then soak them in the solution seperately. This will allow the solution to absorbe into the branch.

Hope this makes sense.

Gary

Hello Mark,

outstanding, fantstic work, i love the groundwork, it is absolutly fantastic.

Greetings

Karsten

Hi Tony
My original intent was to add a skiff of snow, which is why I tried for the fall grass color and some bare branches. Truth be told I simply got wrapped up in the process and got too far ahead of myself for the snow. I don't want to try it now with the figure in place, so this is how it will stay!
Cheers
Mark

Mark
I like everything about this, I'm a sucker for plenty groundwork. Very well done.
Regards
Derek
ps. We'll keep Glenn's standard up when he arrives in Scotland.