Mucking around with a new camera on my latest project.

Tried to depict a young, bronzed Kiwi soldier from Western Desert in WWII.

New Zealanders were an important part of the Long Range Desert Group & this guy is my tribute to those that served 60 years ago so far from home.

Challenge getting camera to correctly represent colour & details, so fiddled with photo editor to give better feel for colours. May have a chance to try again on ANZAC Day (25 Apr) our national remembrance day:

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning,: We will remember them. "

Hi Mike, man this looks fantastic even with your new camera, I can see the magnificent paintwork come through your pics and will look forward to seeing this in the flesh. As the fishing season draws to a close I am starting to get back to some modelling, and boy ths gives me much inspiration indeed. cheers Les

Hello Mike,WOW!!!.What a fantastic paint job Mike..Like him alot.You have captured the look and feel of one of these guys just brilliant.Hope you will be bringing him to the Brisbane show in September.

Regards,John

A very nice looking piece.

Ken

Nice work Mike!
Did not know that NZ has had troops in WWII belonging to LRDG groups, thought it was just members of SAS?

Thanks for the info, I will search for learn about it.
Pedro.

That is brilliant, the sunburn skin looks very realistic and depicts the LRDG style. Very nice
Ben

Lovely work Mike, about the best painting of this figure I have ever seen. Superb!

Pedro It was mostly New Zealanders who started the LRDG, providing most of the troops doing the job. I am sure there would be British officers in there as it was part of the British Army. Mostly from NZ until joined by troops from Britain and Rhodesia.
LRDG and the SAS although both formed around the same time were not related.

Don

Cracking paint job Mike.
Brian

Beautiful brush work Mike. You really did this bust justice and a fine job representing those veterans. Surely you have read 'The Kiwi Scorpions'.

Joe

Thanks Pedro, NZ'ers were most certainly part of LRDG forming most of the foundation troops for the unit R & T Troops. This appears to have been against the wishes of our Divisional Commanding General - Freyberg, but despite this they remained an important part through into late 43 - early 44 moving to operations in Greek Islands.

Yes they worked with SAS & there were NZ'ers that were part of this too, but as mentioned below they were different units with different missions.

Love learning this stuff eh!

Some beaut references are by NZ author Brendan O'Carroll:

http://www.lrdg.org/LRDG_Kiwi_Scorpions_book.htm

Thanks for positive comments Ken, Carl & Brian.

This one seemed to paint itself, wonderful sculpting from Young.

Thanks Ben, appreciate feedback as I was trying to get the 'bronzed' look of someone living in the desert.

Most certainly did Joe, as well as "Barce Raid" & "Bearded Brigands" by Brendan, plus the Vanguard & Osprey titles. Fair bit of material available on these chaps actually.

Thank you for kind comments on this project.

Mike

Hi Mike, this site never fails to up the ante, great stuff well done,

Quick response Les & really appreciate your comments.
Will be interested to see what you think when you see him later in the year.
I still reckon photos look better than the real thing but you be the judge.

Look forward to seeing your next projects too.

Mike

Fantastic work Mike, think this is my favourite version of this bust so far.


Cheers David

Value your feedback John & took on board tips about photographing.
Yep he'll be part of my stash for Aussie, looking forward to it & hope to have another couple of projects done by then.

By the way I made the ciggy on this guy, just like a real one from cigarette papers rolled round a little bits of shaved Yellow Ochre oil paint. Tiny but seemed to represent a 'durry' just waiting to be relit when the moment presents itself.

Stay safe,

Mike

Kind comment indeed David.

Enjoyable project this one with lots of textures - wool, skin, wood, canvas, metal, hair.
I used oils & a range of different acrylics to try to achieve each one.
Glad it came through OK.

Mike

Well Mike,
Everything is said. Great work and more of that.
Can only echo that.

marc