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Lt. Gen. Mikhail Skoboleff

Discussion in 'vBench (Works in Progress)' started by Dan Morton, Jun 5, 2005.

  1. Dan Morton A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    While Khudadad Khan's primer is drying, I started messing around with some parts, thinking vaguely about what was next. I had planned to do a WWI multi-figure vignette, but one thing led to another.

    Raffaele Ruggeri's illustration of Gen. Skoboleff in the Osprey MAA 277, "The Russo-Turkish War 1877" is superb and dramatic. To be more accurate, the guy looks like a wild man! Hair flying, mouth open and teeth bared, wild-eyed, a broken sword in one hand with arm cocked back and ready to swing. So - I was hooked even though he's not from the Great War! I just hope I can do him justice!
    I hope Mr. Ruggeri won't mind my showing a small excerpt of his illustration.
    [IMG]

    Ian Drury's text describes Skoboleff as probably the most competent Russian general among a group of hopeless losers. To be sure he was brave, often leading his Cossack division from the front, but unfortunately he was also a shameless self-promoter, making sure the British journalists reporting the war always had 'good copy'.

    I took a British Sudan officer's head, ground off part of the beard and all the pith helmet. The pose Mr. Ruggeri looked familiar somehow and then I realized I had a 'parts' figure of a gladiator in exactly that pose. I ground off the gladiator costume, removed the head, found some boots, etc.

    The head is nearly finished. Accented the frown lines between and above the eyes, shaved off more of the Sudan officer's spade beard and added LOTS of hair. Thought you might like a peek.
    [IMG]
    [IMG]
    [IMG]
    All the best,
    Dan
  2. captnenglish Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
  3. jjgurk Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Great job Dan. What did you use to make the hair and beard?

    John
  4. Roc Active Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Dan, it looks fantastic.

    Keep up the good work.

    Cheers

    Roc :)
  5. Evan August New Member

    Looks great so far. That guy sure had quite the beard. I look forward to seeing more.
  6. yeo_64 Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Singapore
    VERY NICE,Dan !!! Looking forward to the next step. Cheers.
    Kenneth.
  7. megroot A Fixture

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Great work Dan,

    Looking forward to your next step.

    Marc
  8. Dan Morton A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks so much everybody! I appreciate the kind words!

    The hair and beard are Magicsculpt put on in thin layers, letting each layer get fairly dry before the next one, etc. Each layer was put on unevenly and each layer was cut into with an X-acto blade. That way the hair layers look sufficiently curly with enough loose ends. Hair is fun to sculpt!

    I like to know scale when I'm reading one of these, but I forgot to mention it earlier - 120mm.

    all the best,
    Dan
  9. Blind Pew A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Dan

    Looking good already, I love what you've done with the hair. I do like it when people do bold conversions like this and am keen to see how this progresses. Keep us posted.

    Take care...
  10. Dan Morton A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks very much! Bold? Hey, I'm just a big kid havin' fun; I don't know from bold.

    And IF I pull this off, believe me, I'll be the most surprised of us all!

    all the best,
    Dan
  11. amherbert Member

    The hair and beard look great.

    Super job.
  12. Dan Morton A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    With the aid of stickum, the General is partly assembled. I've found a sword scabbard and the correct shape and size of sword hilt. I'll need to sculpt the broken blade. Also need to add coat buttons, fit his head properly, some other stuff, etc. And yes, for you especially observant types - I managed to "overcook" him in my crockpot, but lots of sanding and a little alteration here and there and he's just about as good as new.

    Anyway, here's some work-in-progress shots. Hope you like it!
    [IMG]
    [IMG]
    [IMG]
    [IMG]

    All the best,
    Dan
  13. Calvin Member

    Hey Dan,
    what is this, your hyper-activity season ? :lol:
    Nice sculpt on the hair, but in my opinion the beard and moustache are a little too long.
  14. Dan Morton A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks Luca! Yes, you're right I'm in the process of shaving back the bottom of the "mutton chops" because I can't get the head to fit over the collar properly otherwise!

    all the best,
    Dan
  15. Dan Morton A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Here's the assembled General in primer coat. Comments - as always - very welcome!

    [IMG]
    [IMG]
    [IMG]
    [IMG]
    [IMG]

    Hindsight being 20/20, I believe I should have flexed his back more, made him lean back a bit and generally made the whole torso and arms thinner. I did have in mind a "bull-ish" anatomy, barrel chest, powerful biceps, etc., but I think I "over-egged the pudding".

    All the best,
    Dan
  16. Jacek Spychalski Member

    Country:
    Poland
    Great job Dan!

    Congratulations and best regards

    Jacek
  17. Alex Lopez Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Mexico
    Well done Dan!!! I like the dinamic and expresive pose.
    I´ll waiting for the paint...

    Alex.
  18. Dan Morton A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks, guys!

    all the best,
    Dan
  19. Calvin Member

    Hi Dan,
    in my opinion a great advance in respect to the Sepoy Khuda Dad Khan, the pose is really effective. Now, dont forget about shadows and lights when painting.
  20. Guy A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Excellent work Dan........the pose........the "attitude" he seems to have has been carried out with your sculpting. Now...on to the painting......remember....contrast (y)

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