Hi All,
Firstly let me put a little bit of background to this pair of figures. I was helping the very talented Jose Hidalgo with some research for these figures, which are 90mm scale. Jose and I have formed a very strong friendship over the last year or so and I was privileged to see these and help him out. One day I got a message saying he could no longer carry on with them and wanted to concentrate on his 54mm ranges.

Then reading further down, he said he would like me to have these figures and finish them. You would think I was a Zulu war enthusiast or something.

I changed the original pose to which Jose had intended for the soldier, he initially had the Martini Henry held by wires across the chest. Looking at the terrified face of the boy soldier and the stern defiant assured look on the soldier face, I changed the interaction between them. I made a new set of arms for the soldier as if he was sheparding the boy behind him for safety...hence the title "Steady Lad"

I have just undercoated them to show up my flaws after doing the arms and adding the detail to the boy. Here is how they stand so far, still loads of work to do, some changes and clean up, but I'm really enjoying working on these. Thanks Jose for giving me the chance to finish these figures, I hope I do you proud my friend. The Martini Henry may still go off to the armourer's yet a.k.a the assured hands of Steve Readdie. Please feel free to comment.
cheers
Richie

They look great Richie, I'm looking forward to seeing them at next months meeting.

Hi Nap,
Thanks mate. Long way off the brushes yet. I've still got to sculpt the boys hands, finish the boots on both, add all the detail on the soldiers uniform, foreign service helmet, all the accessories and the rifle. But it's getting there, I did all the details on the boys uniform yesterday.

Hi Roger,
Thanks mate, I hope you are having a good trip buddy. They might even be finished for the next meet and I think if they come out OK a trip into the rubber might be needed.
cheers
Richie

Looking fantastic, now lets see the paint.

Hi Bob,
Thanks mate, long way off the paint yet, need to finish the sculpting first.
cheers
Richie

Thats a beautifull scene that you sculpted.
Congratulations.

Marc

Going to be a classic vignette. Kipling comes alive!

Colin

I Like the feel of this piece very thoughtful indeed both faces are full of character and the story comes across very well indeed. looking forward to seeing paint on it. keep it up mate.

Ian

A fantastic piece indeed, so much life in it for a great diorama. I look forwardto seeing them finished, great work.

John

Getting too excited, sorry.

Marc, Colin, Ian, John and Bob
Thanks you all very much lads, still a way to go but I'm going to try and get stuck in next week. Don't worry Bob I was getting exited too, to carry on with this, that's why my bench is mounting up with projects.
cheers
Richie

Richie,
Wow nice work. He put them in good hands. You really gave them the "because we're here lad and no one else" look. Will be watching these two. Cheers, Brock

Marvelous Richie! Well done!

All the best,
Dan

Great looking piece, Richie.
....personally I'd prefer to see the soldier's hand was on the boys left shoulder....but either way it will be a very dynamic vignette.

Richie,

Mark has made exactly the same suggestion I was about to offer. To me the hand on the head looks more disciplinary than reassuring. It sends a much stronger and wrong message about the relationship between these two characters.

I'd like to see a more comforting and reassuring gesture that matches the phrase "Steady Lad". I'd prefer to see the older men put his hand on the boy's shoulder in a more comforting and less dominant position. He could perhaps be gripping the boy's jacket just to hold him up a bit, to stop him falling down or his knees buckling under him.

The body language between these two characters will say far more about their relationship than the words ever can. I'd suggest you think about repositioning that left arm down to the shoulder and make the hand grab some of the boy's jacket.

This piece will be a cracker Richie. The concept is brilliant and I have no doubt that it will look even better when you're finished.

Excellent vignette. I take Tony's comment about pose. A hand on the boy's shoulder would convey ressurance better.

Mike

Hi Brock, Dan, Mark and Tony,
Thank you for the vote of confidence and more importantly the suggested changes. I totally get where you are coming from. Putting the hand on the shoulder suggest a more comforting gesture as you say and pulls the boy closer to the soldier.
I can change the arm or make a new so it's in the correct position. I could even make a second one so you have the choice of head or shoulder! I have just changed the position so it is closer to the suggestions.
Something along the lines of this?

cheers
Richie

Hi Mike,
Thank you, looks like a new arm needed.
cheers
Richie

I agree with Mark and Tony, but otherwise brilliant