I just love the movie Gladiator, so I was super excited when this bust by Young miniatures came out recently. A very similar bust from Alexandros Models came out almost simultaneously, and while it looked good, I thought Young's version would be the better of the two.

I've painted the torso in acrylics and have started to lay in the shading and highlighting on the wolf pelt, but otherwise most of the upper body is still just base coated.

The head is finished (almost) but I want to soften the beard line around the mouth and add some extra colours to the hair to make it less black. The face needs some finishing touches and a couple of oil washes to enhance the depth of the skin textures.

Overall, the bust is exceptionally good and I'm enjoying painting it. I hope you like my progress so far.

I knew you'd be all over this bust. another Roman for your Cohorts. Looking great so far mate

Great work .

Marc

Grey start ! i have this in my grey army too

Looking forward to seeing your rendition.

Are we not entertained?
Looking good so far, this is on my wish list.



Chris

Yes, we are entertained.

Latest progress pics show the wolf pelt starting to come together and the details on the chest armour becoming more defined.

Lovely start tony,I too prefer this one out of the two

Looks good mate.
I love the gladiator movie.
Gells

Great start Tony. For some reason I always thought you were an oil painter, but your work on the face in acrylics is simply outstanding.

Thanks gents, I always appreciate your comments.

Glenn, my painting style is "oils over acrylics". I base coat and paint shadows and highlights on the face in acrylics first and then add depth and colour to the skin tones by adding a series of very dilute oil washes over the acrylics, like a filter. I think this technique brings out the best in both painting mediums.

The acrylics provide the coverage and the basic structure to the colour palate while the oils create the depth, texture and variation to the skin tones.

I haven't started oil washes on the torso yet.

Excellent painting style, nice bust too.
Bob

Looking good so far Tony ,this I one that I will be getting as well.Think you are right this is the better of the two.

Cheers Davie

The face are fantastic.
Great start.

Looking great so far Tony, another Dawesome classic on the way..
...looking forward to seeing the finished piece....cheers.

like it so far.

Hi
Like what you have done so far

I am getting into the oils over acrylics thing
found painting a bust just in acrylics hard going to get the depth
of colour.

Look forward to seeing this come together

Frank

Great job

I'm a bit late catching this.... Great work so far Tony. Looking forward how you'll be finishing face and metals.

Cheers,
Adrian

Tony,
looking better and better.Can't wait to see it finished.Given the NZD/AUD exchange rate it may be time to find an Aussie retailer who carries A good range of Youngs busts. Any suggestions.
Not only a great NZ actor(just saying) but also part owner of the 2nd best NRL team and no the first isn't the Warriors.

Chris

Once again, many thanks to all of you who have commented on my thread. This bust is coming along steadily and nearing completion.

I'm pleased with the way the wolf pelt came out. The armour still needs some work as I've dulled it down with a series of oil washes and its lost its shine.