I currently have a few projects in progress as most of you are aware and i have just finished this bust from Young Miniatures which is a Gladiator (Myrmillo) which could be dated anytime between 100BC and AD200,the bust is very nicely sculpted and the kit comes with the bare headed or helmeted version which i thought was a nice touch from Young with both versions offering great conversion potential.
The year seems to be passing by quite quickly and i have a few show dates which i plan to attend so i'm playing catch up at present as i want certain pieces finished for the shows.
I was recently watching the excellent TV series on sky called Sparticus - Blood and Sand and there was some scenes showing gladiators with tattoos,i decided i would incorporate this on youngs bust and instead of copying the TV version i decided to use a design of my own choice from a tattoo magazine but similar in design to the TV version,this was painted onto the bust's right shoulder once the flesh painting had dried,to paint the tattoo i used games workshop codex grey with a little black added which gave me the faded black look i was looking for which is prominent in these types of tattoo design,i felt the bust needed something extra and the addition of the tattoo was just what i had hoped for.
All undercoating was done with GW chaos black,after which GW acrylic colours wer'e laid in and then finished in oils.
Blood was created using GW inks.
As gladiators wer'e often knocked over their skin was often dirty and i added this feature to selected areas on the bust using a piece of sponge with burnt umber oil paint just lightly dabbing it on the surface.
Sweat and persperation i replicated using small amounts of liquin with some thinner added.
I chose to take photo's with and without the helmet faceguard for this posting and i have decided not to attach it when showing the bust.

I hav'nt forgot the other gladiator post or war of the worlds and i will keep you updated with my progress on these.

Thanks,Brian

As a addict off Spartacus "blood and sand" and "God's of the Arena" i can only say this is awesome.
The tattoo's well i have my doubt's. I think the acteurs who played the gladioters had tattoo's.
But i never seen it, and i like it.

Marc

Hi Brian
You have done an amazing job at all points on the bodice, and correct paint tattou amazing, not only know whether at that time were so large tattou because the patterns are somewhat modern era.
But this is what gives a ton more in this bust.
Congratulations!

Alexandros
http://alexminiatures.blogspot.com/

Very nice job Brian like the tat

That's crazy good.

Really well done and the tats are a nice touch.
Cheers
John

Nice fleshes Brian

The chest hair... fine brush strokes?

Brillaint stuff. The flesh and metals are superb. What did you use for the metals?
I love the tatoos. I have seen loads of versions for this figure and none have been so bold. They are extremely well done.
Congrats on such a unique figure.

Great work indeed. Beautiful colors and details.

Xenofon

Really good.

The face is impressive, he is scarier without the visor.

Gert-Jan

Beautiful painting Brian. Great fleshtones and metals. The tribal tattoo looks impressive as well.

Great bit of painting brian, like everything about it.

Stuart

Oh! An excellent rendition of a magnificient bust! The tattoo is a corageous touch IMO and has given this amazing bust more style, attitude.

Congratulations!

Many thanks to you all for your kind coments.

Marc - There was a scene in gods of the arena of a woman having tattoo's by hand so i thought perhaps gladiators did have tattoo's,anyway i think the bust needed something additional and from the number of replies i've had i think i made the right choice,i'm pleased with the way it turned out and i'm glad you enjoyed it.

Alexandros / Carl / Whitney / Matthew / John / Gordy / Xenofon / Gert / Dimitrios / Stuart / Felipe - Many thanks for your coments and views.

Grant - The helmet was basecoated with GW chaos black (airbrushed) and once dry was given 2x thin coats of GW tin bitz.
once this had dried i added small amounts of burnt sienna and prussian green oil paint which i applied with a piece of sponge.
I left this for about 36hrs and then started to shade the helmet using Burnt umber oil paint and acrylic GW chaos black with a fine tipped brush.
Finally after drying for about 24hours i finished of with small applications of GW boltgun metal and GW chainmail and then added small catchlights with Windsor and newton silver ink.

Happy Painting - Brian