As my user name might suggest I like Samurai. This is the first one to appear on my workbench since I got back into the hobby and probably since I was a teenager. This is also only the second bust I have attempted and will certainly be more technical and challenging than the first one, so this WIP might take a fair while!
Another one of my purchases at this years Euro I couldn't leave this beautiful Ebrion sculpt in the box for long, here's where I'm at so far after a days painting on Friday. All done in Jo Sonjas acrylics and a wet palette.

Pictures from my phone.

I like the way you paint... but this is very Caucasian
very tom cruise in The last Samouraî

Think you captured the Asian skin tone well Alex ! A great bust to paint, following buddy ; )

Carlos

That is a very good start

Looks like your on the way to something beautifull

marc

An update on my (slow) progress with this one. I'm not getting a massive amount of bench time but enjoying the sessions that I am squeezing in.

I've made some further progress witrh the face.



And also the pattern on the front of the Oyoroi (Tsurubashirigawa). It was probably a good thing to spread this work out over a few shorter sessions for the sake of sanity and my eyes! I've never really done freehand patterns before so I found this pretty taxing.



Thanks for looking,

Alex.

That work on the pattern is superb Alex-look forward to seeing this progress. I've got several Samurai Busts and haven't yet mustered the courage to try and paint one

Keith

Mate even from the tiny pic on the forum main menu I could tell it was Asian, outstanding job. You nailed it.

Geesh having seen this I get to strip my Taisho again and start again on the Oyoroi There's always a clever bugger First class job mate


Steve

Beautiful freehand work on the Oyoroi and looking forward to seeing more.

Cheers Ken

The freehand looks excellent Alex, on the Jo Sonja paints I am experimenting a bit as they are new to me . When you say a wet pallet what do you mean are you shading wet on wet
or are you just keeping the paints workable on wet kitchen paper.

Ron

Thanks for your comments guys, much appreciated

Ron, I use an airtight tupperware tub with a heavy layer of wet kitchen roll underneath a layer of greaseproof paper and premix all of the dark, greyed, light and mid tones for the given colour. I do, from time to time, use a wet on wet technique with Amsterdam acrylic retarder, but that is mainly when I've been using Vallejo or Citadel paints. I find that the Jo Sonjas blend very well when thinned with water and I haven't used the wet on wet method for this model. I would be interested to hear how you find the Jo Sonjas, I have to say after painting with them for a few months I love the way they perform and being originally an oil painter the colour range closely mimicks the traditional oil colours which makes me very comfortable with the mixing.

Alex.

Hi Alex
I take it the grease proof paper stops the paint sinking in to the paper towel but why the reason for damping everything down is it the humidity in the tray that stops the paint drying out while in use,I am an oil painter too but would like to be able to handle acrylics also ,I know the Jo Sonja are gouache but handle much the same .

Ron

Hi Alex,
Very skilful, I can only envy your artistry. Top notch work and thanks for sharing.
cheers
Richie

Yep that's pretty much it Ron. The greaseproof becomes damp but will not let enough water through to pool. This completely stops the paint from drying out and as long as you keep the lid on after a session the humidity will keep the paint workable for a few weeks at least.

Alex

Comes pretty good!

Cheers

Looking great so far.

awesome work on the freehand pattern. To add a little more to the wet palette, it is also a good idea to keep it in the fridge when not in use to avoid mold growth. I have had a couple wet palettes walk off on their own due to stinky mold growth.

Thanks Mike, Great tip about keeping the wet palette in the fridge, never thought of that, as you're quite right mold can be an issue if it's left for too long. Although my wet palette container is pretty much a lunch box, and I could envisage some sort of disaster when my kids take it school by mistake

Alex.