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unnoticed departure Bryan Fosten RIP

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by akaryu, Feb 23, 2021.

  1. akaryu Moderator

    Country:
    Belgium
    Hello fellow Planeteers,

    On Osprey Publishing's website I learned of the passing of Bryan Fosten, aged 92. Some of us may be old enough to remember his splendid illustrations in Military Modelling when that magazine was our main source of information.

    Pierre
  2. Banjer A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Sad news but he lived to a ripe old age. I remember his illustrations well. Was it Bryan who did the Stan Catchpole cartoons?

    RIP

    Bill
  3. Merryweather A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    It certainly was and I still use his Military Modelling guide to this day
    Stan Catchpol.jpg
    not to mention his wonderful Thin Red Line book, amongst others.
    sadly missed
    Neil
  4. Airkid A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    His neat, clear style of illustration was meat and drink to us figure modellers - everything well researched and a "go to" for anything British Army. Sad news indeed.

    Phil
    Viking Bob and Blind Pew like this.
  5. lightbob Member

    Very sad to learn about the above. I can well remember Bryan's work in Military Modelling, copies of which are still in a
    walk in cupboard in the house, that my wife would like cleared out. However, as with Merryweather still a source of tips and ideas. Plus off course nostalgia, just ask Mirof about that area.
    Am I correct in thinking DSV Fosten were brothers?
    Just spotted a dealer has a copy of -Thin Red Line : Uniforms British Army between 1751 -1914. Might be tempted.
    Viking Bob likes this.
  6. Graham A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Sadly I am ignorant of the history of our hobby and the characters from it. However this sad news struck home when I looked on my meagre book shelf and saw his name on the copy of The Thin Red Line I own.
    Viking Bob likes this.
  7. akaryu Moderator

    Country:
    Belgium
    Donald and Bryan were brothers indeed and worked together.
    The Thin Red Line was a landmark when published and Bryan later illustrated "Waterloo Men" in the same series, but written by Haythorntwaite.
    Bryan's work for Osprey Men-at-Arms is almost endless.
    Viking Bob and Nap like this.
  8. Merryweather A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Bryan also did the modelmaking illustrations (not the uniform plates) for the Historex range of figures(us oldies will remember....)
    Viking Bob and Nap like this.
  9. arj A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Viking Bob and Nap like this.
  10. Mirofsoft A Fixture

    Country:
    Belgium
    Viking Bob, Nap and akaryu like this.
  11. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England

    You hit the nail on the head there ....a must for bookshelves

    RIP Mr Fosten

    Nap
    Viking Bob likes this.
  12. Chris Oldfield A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    RIP Mr Fosten. I never had the privilege of meeting him, but quite a few of his Osprey works are on my bookshelf, & his artwork will live forever.
    Viking Bob and Nap like this.
  13. Airkid A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Bryan's soldiers were always clean-cut, rosy cheeked individuals. His uniform details were superlative. Another icon of the art of uniformology gone, along with Ron Embleton, Angus McBride, Rick Scollins, Mike Chappell and others I can't bring to mind at the moment. All of them had an influence on our painting and sculpting. Anno Domini eh?

    Phil
    clrsgt, Viking Bob and Nap like this.
  14. Blind Pew A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    RIP Bryan. I continue to consult his works, and will doubtless still do so for many years to come. A giant in the world of historical military art.
    Viking Bob and Nap like this.
  15. Viking Bob PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Saddened by the loss to the military history and art side of our hobby, I met him a few times at the London meetings of the BMSS. Always willing to part with his knowledge. Like BP I have some of his work which I use as reference.
    RIP Bryan.
    Blind Pew, Nap and Chris Oldfield like this.
  16. OldTaff PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    England
    A sad loss to the world, indeed...I heard of his passing from John Regan, another old modeller from way back. Bryan, and brother Don were fine military artists and researchers, colluding with Bob Marrion on many projects. Bryan nicked a number of "Stan Catchpol" ideas from us all back then, and it was treated with a lot of ribbing and laughs. Had some high old times at BMSS dinners, where several libations lubricated the proceedings. Great memories for me,at least.

    Alan
  17. fogie A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Very few illustrators have touched the lives of so many military modellers. Both Bryan and Don Fosten
    will be celebrated for generations to come for their wonderful and inspirational work.

    Mike
    Chris Oldfield, Viking Bob and Airkid like this.
  18. Ronaldo A Fixture

    Was it not the same man who done all the pen and ink stuff for the Historex Catalog with the illustrations being absolutely superb re
    saddlery halters shabraque etc , just checked yes it was ,an absolute must for the Nap fan.
    Viking Bob, Chris Oldfield and Airkid like this.
  19. red tom Active Member

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Bryan and brother Don were the sons of the model for the driver figure on the Royal Artillery War Memorial. I seem to remember reading that his mother was a Royal embroiderer. I once challenged Bryan on one of his paintings at an exhibition in London's Victory Club. Obviously I was wrong, I felt a right idiot.

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