Dear Friends,
I started a new project. A beautiful 75mm figure from Best Soldiers, sculpted by Antonio Zapatero. Since it was released I loved this piece. It doesn't need a story, it is a story by itself.
I didn't advanced to much but enough to be able to show you the general feel of my rendition.
Here it is and I'll keep you posted.
Cheers,
Zeno

Very good start Zeno! I say that this figure is feeling good

Regards
Pedro

Another good start Zeno. The face is spot on as usual and your metals are looking excellent.

Will be following closely

Colin

Top stuff, Zeno. That metal armour is looking great, as is his face.

Stunning work allready
Marc

Cant wait till its done! Super
Cheers,
Peter

Super work with the brush Zeno.
I especially like the effects that you have achieved with the armor.
Looking really fine,
Keith

The armour is looking very good, as is the face.
Bob

GREAT start - looking forward to more!! Dave

Great start on the face and the metal armour!
I like this SBS, I'm looking forward to the next steps.
Ciao by Maco

Superb start indeed. I really like it.

Xenofon

Nice! Your painting has brought out a lot of character in his face - I like already!

How are you rendering the metals? They look awesome.

Brian

Will follow this thread with big interest, amazing start !

Yeah, great looking face and I really like how you're doing the armor. Great work!

Yea, i'm really digging the metals too - what are you doing?

Thanks dear friends! I'm glad that you like what I did so far!.

Brian & Alex:
I approached the armour a little bit different then usually. I didn't used metallic paints at all. The figure is casted in metal so I polished the armour with a brass brush. Manually. No power tools. I applied primer only on fabric and leather areas and in this way I locked the armour from the rest.
Basically what I did with the figure metal representing the armour is to stain it with oil paints. I did a mixture of black + indigo + van dyke brown diluted at the milk consistency. I applied this mixture and after 30-40 sec. I wiped it off with a tissue. In areas where I couldn't get in with the tissue, I used a dry brush to take off the excess. I repeated the process till I was pleased with the effect. I applied the mixture 3 times.
I prepared and applied a second mixture, this time only with van dyke brown but this one only in selected areas. It is pretty effective to represent grime in different areas. No highlights applied yet. After the oil will dry I'll have a look if highlights are required or not. From previous experience, additional highlights are not required. Eventually another light scrub with a clean tissue.
This is what I did, so far. Normally, after the oil will dry, I apply a thin layer of Tamiya X19 Smoke acrylic paint, heavily diluted. This will add a nice shiny smoky tone to the armour. This works awesome on cuirassiers and carabineers cuirasses which are very, very shinny. I'm not sure yet, if I'll apply it on this Civil War Officer. I'll decide later. If I'm getting a nice worn look I might skip the X19.
Let me know if everything is clear. So many words for such a simple process.
Hope it helps.
Cheers,
Zeno

Zeno
What do you use for thinning the Smoke wash?

Hi Paul!
I use Tamiya X-20A thinner. I play safe. Others are thinning Tamiya paint just with water, other modellers use a mixture of water and 91% alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is used too. All this with good results.
Hope it helps!
Cheers my friend!
Zeno

All's good, mate. Following the Doug Cohen train of thought.....at least 15 mins painting every day I'll be putting the finishing touches to the Guides Cavalry bust tomorrow. Up next, Pegaso's Spartan bust

Looking forward to see the Guides Cavalry bust finished, my friend!
Now, to the working bench to deal with this little fella. It's a long way to go.
Cheers mate,
Zeno