Finished Crow Dancer

[Guy]

This is a commission piece that I am doing for a collector and has quite an intricate head piece that the painter has to construct from the hair provided with the kit.

The first part is the flesh painting of the bust and shown in the first 4 photos is the yellow cadium added to the base color mix.

The next step after blending the yellow is to apply Titanium white to the same areas you had first applied yellow. Afterwards blend into the base color and yellow.

The finished flesh awaiting to dry. The colors will change somewhat and especially after the bordering colors are painted in.

 

[Bill Mayo]

Excellent reference. Thank you.

 

[garyjd]

Guy, That's a nice bust, his face is great. I think it is based on a James Bama painting.~Gary

 

[Guy]

Thanks Bill and Gary,

Gary - The reference comes right off the front cover of the book I have on The Art of James Bama

Here are the Box art photos that came with the kit:

 

[robbyk9]

Hey Guy

Looking good. It's very nice to see how you paint this buste. Keep us posted.

Cheers Dick

 

[Roc]

Guy, excellent bust, I'm enjoying your step by step.

I bet you must have a large collection of Indians, I'm looking forward some day to seeing them in the flesh.

Keep up the good work and looking forward to your next step.

Cheers
Roc.

 

[Sambaman]

Guy, great start! I can't wait to see this one come together. I love the busstle on this one . I think it adds great drama to the piece! BTW, when you decide to do the roach on this guy, let me know. I want to see how you bring it together so I can use the same technique on my Mohowk!

Jay H.
OKC

 

[Guy]

Thanks Roc and Jay.

Jay - I will take alot of pics when the Roach goes together.

 

[garyjd]

Originally posted by Guy@Feb 5 2006, 05:47 PM
Gary - The reference comes right off the front cover of the book I have on The Art of James Bama

The painting on the cover of the book should serve you well as a painting guide.~Gary

 

[Guy]

The Crow Dancer is starting to advance now that other committments are done and the beadwork has been base coated medium gray and given the first drybrush on the front with white.

I cleaned and filed all the Bustle feathers today and spray primed them with Floquil R9 primer on one side. The other side tomorrow.

All comments / critiques are welcome.

 

[garyjd]

Guy, Do you typically basecoat the beadwork with a darker basecoat? I've seen this done before and it seems to help the beadwork "pop" out more. The same technique would probably work for quillwork as well.~Gary

 

[Guy]

Gary - That is just the reason I base coat with a darker color so the beadwork / quillwork does pop right out giving more detail and realism. The first drybrushing is just feathered on lightly and the following 2 drybrushes will make the white brighter.

The design will have red in it and will be done in a simular manner.

 

[Guy]

The beadwork is now ready for the design and the hair has been base coated and will be blended next. The eyes are cut in and need some redefinning.

Here you can see where the roach will be built onto the back of his head.

All comments / critiques are welcome.

 

[Roc]

Hey Guy, keep those Indians coming.

Cheers
Roc.

 

[Guy]

Thanks Roc..........have you decided which Indian will be your first?

 

[megroot]

Guy,

Great work so far. I really like to see how you handle the beedwork.
Is it gonna be the same as on the box?? If you do that i tip my had. That would be great.
So keep posting.

marc

 

[Guy]

Thanks Marc for the encouragement. I have not decided yet on the beadwork pattern and will take some time today and look through my references to see what I can find.

 

[Guy]

The one thing I have learned about Harton Miniatures is "Nothing is as it looks" I am proceeding with the Crow Dancer bust and the instructions call for you to drill out each tube in the back bustle assembly with a 0.95mm drill bit. After doing this I have spent all day hand filing each feather (half of them) so it will fit snugly into the tubes. I did 5 feathers at a time and then stopped and epoxyed them into place.

Each tube is carefully drilled (there was just a small indentation at the end of each tube to start with) and then the feather shaft is carefully filed down to fit each tube.

I did the feathers in sequences of 5 at a time.

Tonight I'll start on the upper row of feathers that will install into the tubes above the current row.

All comments / critiques / questions are welcomed

 

[Joe Hudson]

Hey Guy,

Painting tartan's is much easier!! :lol:

Joe

 

[Dan Morton]

Quite a lot of work but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end! Say, are all the feathers exactly the same? ??? Can't tell from the photos.

All the best,
Dan