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Review Aborigine from Alliance Miniatures

Discussion in 'Reviews , Video Reviews and Open Book' started by Nap, Jul 30, 2019.

  1. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi everyone

    Its always good to see a new company announce a new venture , one which did recently is:

    0000.jpg

    Hailing from Russia and based in St Petersburg the company announced it conception and first 2 release here on PF and social media


    Initial releases from them inculdes a Trapper full figure and a bust ...

    [IMG]

    Guess what I am looking at here:

    Alliance Abo 001.jpg

    As you can see its a native of Australia ....a Aborigine based no doubt on a character in the 2008 film titled "Australia" played by the actor David Gulipil

    David Gulpilil in the movie Australia 2008.jpg


    Lets have small amount of background on these wonderful peoples :

    Australia's Aboriginal culture probably represents the oldest surviving culture in the world, with the use of stone tool technology and painting with red ochre pigment dating to at least 50,000 years ago.
    The word aborigine (with a little a ) means one of the original native inhabitants of any country. The word Aborigine (with a capital A ) is used to describe the indigenous people of Australia. In Australia, many non-Aboriginal people use the terms Aboriginal and Aboriginals as singular and plural nouns for the people. Aborigines describe themselves using the various words which mean person from each of their own different language groups (tribes). A person from the Sydney region might describe themselves as Koorie, from Darwin as Larrakeyah, from northeast Arnhem Land as Yolgnu, and central Australian has Pitjantjatjara, Pintubi .

    As with anything in today's world the race has been affected sometimes not for the best and often controversial

    Aboriginal fire making

    The hand drill is where a vertical stick is twirled and forced down onto a lower stick to create an ember. Larrakia man, Alfie May, demonstrates the method.

    [IMG]

    Photograph by David M. Welch.

    A fire saw with a cleft stick. This small fire-making kit is resting against a termite mound for the photograph. On the left is a split stick, with the split wedged apart by a small piece of wood. In the centre is another piece of wood used like a saw and rubbed across the split or cleft stick to produce an ember. On the right is a small wad of macerated spinifex providing the tinder. Central Australia, 1920s.

    [IMG]

    Photograph by Herbert Basedow, from Making Fire.


    Two Aranda men in Central Australia rub the sharp edge of a hardwood spearthrower over a softwood shield to make an ember using the fire saw method.

    [IMG]

    Photograph by Spencer and Gillen, from Making Fire.

    Australian Aborigines manufactured a range of tools, utensils, fighting weapons, and hunting weapons made from the available resources of wood, bone and shell.

    Wooden tools and utensils included:

    • Chisels and scrapers (stone pieces) hafted to long wooden handles. (See the section on stone tools.)
    • Women’s digging sticks made with a range of shapes and sizes.
    • A woman’s spade-like implement was used in the south-east of the country.
    • Wooden carriers.
    • Wooden spindles of crossed sticks were used to spin human and animal-fur string.

    A very amazing culture and one which I believe should not be lost in the depths of time

    Here are some pictures of the amazing features of the aborigine

    abo1.jpg shows the tribal scarring as well
    abo00000.jpg abo000000.jpg abo.jpg

    Some weapons including a variety of spears and a variety of baskets often seen in use

    [IMG]At the top, two plant fibre string bags for carrying food and other items. Below left, a headband. Below right, a stiff fibre bag used for straining food, such as yams after they are washed.

    [IMG]Cane basket made from split Lawyer Cane / Vine Usually called a "bicornual" basket, the correct term is "bicornuate" basket, named after its two horn-like pointed corners. Cedar Creek, north Queensland.


    Source : www.aboriginalculture.com.au

    abo00.jpg abo0000.jpg

    abo000 dilly bags.jpg abo000.jpg

    As we are of course a modelling site here is a flesh acrylic mix :

    Australian Aborigines

    Native Australians are a mystery in respect fleshtones:

    • While their skin resembles Africanssomewhat, their hair grows more like Indian Farkirs.
    • The sun in Australia has a lot to do with this, but as you can see their skin tends to be more ochre looking.
    • Speaking of Ochre, as part of their religion Aborigines go to places in the desert and grind ochre on rocks, making a type of body paint.
    • Since they don’t wash it off for weeks or even months, you may want to add this to your minis by using earth tones in simple patterns. You can find many examples of their art on line

    [IMG]



    Vallejo Swatches:

    Black Red #859, Burnt Cad. Red #814, Cavalry Brown #982, Red
    Leather #818, Orange Brown #981, Brown Rose #803, Basic Skin Tone #815,
    Light Skin #928


    Details curtesy of CoolMiniOrNot forum

    Continued in next post

    Nap
    Mike S. likes this.
  2. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Lets look at the release

    Details :

    Title: Aborigine - Indigenous Peoples

    Reference: ALF-B-001

    Scale: 1/9th

    Material: Gray Resin

    No of parts: 7

    Sculptor: Stepan Nikolaev

    Casting: In House

    Box Art: N/A


    The release was received in a more that suitable cardboard box with a nicely toned picture on the top with details on a side
    Alliance Abo 001.jpg
    Alliance Abo 002.jpg

    Parts were sandwiched in between foam layers with the resin being in 4 plastic bags these consisted of the main torso, head , a bag and 3 spears and a cudgel

    Alliance Abo 003.jpg Alliance Abo 004.jpg

    Alliance Abo 005.jpg

    Prep

    • Main torso...Remove casting plugs from lower edge
    • Head ....Fit to post on neck
    • Dilly Bag...Nothing needed apart from fitting
    • 3 spears...Remove excess plugs from ends
    • Cudgel...Sanding on lower edge
    General Comments
    • Don't remove the post on the neck..it fits into the underside of head spot on
    • Bust is cast fairly thin in section with rear hollowed out
    • There is a drilling point to fit the base mounting ..be careful though!!
    • Casting is very good overall
    • Rear of torso has textured effect
    Main Torso

    This is shallow in profile as said , but does not detract from the look , as I mentioned based on the film character

    He is a thin and older man , a tribal elder , full of wisdom I am sure, the skin effects are well done almost leathery in look ...don't forget the effects of the sun on the body when painting

    The sculpt at shoulders and neck being of particular note very well defined , the neck being turned to the left


    There is a cord for the bag around the neck , nicely worked , the loose ends hanging down at the back

    Alliance Abo 010.jpg Alliance Abo 006.jpg Alliance Abo 008.jpg

    Alliance Abo 007.jpg Alliance Abo 009.jpg Alliance Abo 007.jpg



    On now to the head

    This is a piece which IMO really raises the sculpt , talk about a sunbeaten face ..this is certainly one !!!

    The sculptor has followed the character closely in the feature the slightly flattened nose , bulbous , strong cheek definition , a furrowed and lined forehead , aging creases at the eyes , full lips , eye detail is again well shown , making the painting enjoyable

    The face is a cracker

    Alliance Abo 017.jpg

    The hair is a excellent result , wild and unkept , swirling over the ears and swept back , all of this is kept in place by a thin headband , at times hiding under the hair .

    Our fellow is full bearded and again this is well textured , pointed at the lower edge , again unkept and nicely defined

    The hair is a area that will be really brought out when painting

    Alliance Abo 016.jpg Alliance Abo 012.jpg


    Alliance Abo 014.jpg Alliance Abo 018.jpg

    Alliance Abo 015.jpg Alliance Abo 013.jpg

    Alliance Abo 011.jpg Alliance Abo 019.jpg

    Underneath we have a cutout for fitting


    Fit is good onto the extended casting peg on the torso , dry fitting showed a minute area where they met ...tiny amount of filler then primer will easily sort it .

    Lets look at the head and torso together

    Alliance Abo 022.jpg Alliance Abo 023.jpg

    Alliance Abo 021.jpg Alliance Abo 020.jpg

    Continued in next post

    Nap
    stoffy01 and Jimbo like this.
  3. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Onto the reminder of the pieces

    Bag

    Following closer the shape seen both in film and real life this is well textured , fits accurately to the chest with no filler needed

    You could put a pattern on this of course , remember it would be well used and weathered

    Casting is good and it is shaped to match the torso very nicely

    Alliance Abo 024.jpg Alliance Abo 025.jpg Alliance Abo 026.jpg

    Spears/Cudgel

    The spears and a good representation of the types used in hunting , different style heads all well sculpted in the securing binding this onto the shaft , you get a choice of 3 , up to you to use them all if you wish.

    Alliance Abo 027.jpg Alliance Abo 028.jpg Alliance Abo 029.jpg

    The cudgel or wooden type sword is a good shape , I am glad this was included at it epitomises the culture , shaping is good and you could paint patterns and effects on the surface , again the choice it is up to the individual , it would in my opinion make a good base addition

    Finally lets have some pictures from the FB page of the built but unpainted piece

    abowebsite.jpg
    abowebsite0.jpg
    abowebsite000.jpg
    abowebsite0000.jpg
    Final Thoughts

    A good release from Alliance with a great facial features , additions are well sculpted and cast , presentation is good , perhaps a slightly thicker profile might be better but all in all a really good 1st bust release.

    I hope that they continue to look at the indigenous people of this world and well as moving into other periods of history

    Recommended


    For more details you can contact them via here on a PM to this avatar 0000.jpg user name Alliance Miniatures

    or via:

    FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/403451736936747/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliance.miniatures/

    E Mail: zakaz.allianceworkshop@gmail.com

    I have no website info as yet but this is a very new company so all credit to them with the work so far

    Thank you to them for the review item and to you all for looking in

    Happy benchtime

    Nap
    KenBoyle, DaddyO, Wings5797 and 3 others like this.
  4. Viking Bob PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Thats a great sculpt on the face, superb. Another great review Nap.
    I have just seen a 75mm full figure of an aborigine on their FB page.
    Nap likes this.
  5. Jimbo A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Great review Kev, I like the sculpting with this bust, the face & hair in particular is very good(y)
    Cheers
    Jim
    Wings5797 and Nap like this.
  6. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Super review Kev.
    An interesting subject and very fine scalpt.
    Thanks for the work you pulled together Mate.
    Keith
    Nap likes this.
  7. RantaN A Fixture

    Thanks for the careful analysis and warm words.
    There is one small clarification. A curved weapon is not a boomerang, but rather a cudgel or wooden-like sword. .
    [IMG][IMG]
    Wings5797 and Nap like this.
  8. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Quote

    "Thanks for the careful analysis and warm words.
    There is one small clarification. A curved weapon is not a boomerang, but rather a cudgel or wooden-like sword."


    Hi RataN

    Cheers for the comments

    I have changed the details in the review

    Nap
    Wings5797 and DaddyO like this.
  9. DaddyO A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Really interesting figure. :)
    Thanks for the review Kev - I imagine that it'll not be the easiest of figures to do well, but will really stand out against all the usual lace and busby's on a table of busts.

    Cheers
    Paul
    Nap likes this.
  10. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    The flesh will certainly be a interesting time at the bench ...for those that like Leggy things there is now a 75mm figure as well ...like Viking Bob said

    Nap

    Cheers Paul
  11. NeilW A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Fantastic and a great review.
  12. Tony Dawe A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    My bust arrived today. Thanks for a great review.

    For those of you who are interested, the bag around the neck is commonly referred to as a dillybag or dilly bag. Usually made from pandanus leaves or other woven natural fibres.
    Wings5797, Nap and RantaN like this.
  13. Michael Kalk Active Member

    wonderfull Bust ..i have buy ,fantastic sculpt !!
  14. Michael Kalk Active Member

    search tips from painting..me first Aboriginel (colour) ??

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