Francois Verlinden: The man behind Verlinden Productions company

[Stelios Demiras]

Hello everyone,
I have just found a very interesting video (from my friend Yannis Papadopoulos, owner of the ETA Diorama Accessories) about Francois Verlinden and his company Verlinden Productions. It arouses very strong emotions for me as Verlinden books and after market models and accessories were my inspiration to involved more seriously into the Military Modelling hobby. I hope that you like it:

http://archive.ksdk.com/news/article/190322/78/Model-Maker Regards
Stelios

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Stelios.

It was 'Verlinden', that got me into figure painting in the first place. A Roman, 120mm, 'Gladiator', if I remember correctly, and using his, 'The System', as a guide. Then thing's just went mad from there-on in!

Regards,

Mark.

 

[mick3272]

Stelios.

Then thing's just went mad from there-on in!

Regards,

Mark.

This Verlinden chappy has a lot to answer for
Mick

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

This Verlinden chappy has a lot to answer for
Mick

Mick.

He is now 69yrs old. A tad old to kick his 'Plums'. .... for getting us started on this path.

Although, he has been quiet over the last few+ years. Has he 'Stopped'. ?

Mark.

 

[swralph]

Will always love Verlinden models.

 

[mick3272]

Mick.

He is now 69yrs old. A tad old to kick his 'Plums'. .... for getting us started on this path.

Although, he has been quiet over the last few+ years. Has he 'Stopped'. ?

Mark.

Have to say only ever bought one model, not over impressed .

Mick

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Have to say only ever bought one model, not over impressed .

Mick

Actually, I only got two! The Gladiator, and a 'Eastern European', Viking'. A baldy with 'Cossack Pants', and a spear! ... Now harkening back, this was my test piece, before the 'Gladiator'.

Both! were painted so well. I declined to post them on here so as not to offend or embarrass the then establishment.

Mark.

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

This is the one ... A blast from the past.

.

However, since. I always did like this particular piece, and how it could be displayed. But I still cannot get over the size of his feet! ... How many times have I looked at this??? ... But it always comes down to the feet.

... Size15?

Mark.

 

[Ferris]

Thanks for posting Stelios. First time I hear and see the man speak. Definitely one of my modelling heroes. Devoured his books and aspired to build models like him.
Only much later I realized there are other modelling styles and methods as well, and that it is ok to have your own!

Cheers
Adrian

 

[blaster]

A prolific and dominant manufacturer, starting off from a cottage industry and feeding into the aftersales market for 1/35 ordnance and figures cast in resin. I only bought a few odd kits to supplement my interest in 1/32 scale.

Rgds Victor

 

[Gary D]

Seems like a very nice guy.
Thanks for the link.

Gary D

 

[Mirofsoft]

Thanks
I met him when he was still in Belgium and doing at that time only the DCS diorama in plaster (70ies, the very beginning)
He was/is a guy who shared his experience and gaves all the tricks he knew to all who wanted to know
First to make resin, first to go in 120mm in resin, first to make AFV adds on, to make posters, photo etching in thie field of hobby,
His Vietnam Vignettes in 1/35 where astounding, I remember the one where a guy was sitting among crates and sandbags, reading a magazine, drinking Cola , listening to a radio, " Good Morning VietNam"

 

[Blind Pew]

His stuff definitely pointed the way forward.
Before him dioramas were just a bunch of guys stood round a tank. His introduced a level of detail we kinda expect these days.

 

[akaryu]

Seems like a very nice guy.

Yes, he sure is one and very modest too, starting with a small models shop in Lier, Belgium and putting his name on the US modeler's map later on. He has a very no-nonsense approach to modeling and while still in Belgium shared his tips and tricks with everyone. His no nonsense attitude put bread on many an aspiring sculptor's shelf, some of whom became household names in the modeling world themselves!

 

[pmfs]

A master modeller one of the best and always in vanguard, but the world is always changing... His "wet on wet" tecnique for painting flesh in oils, is imho, the best for rookies achieved immediatly nice results...

Thanks for sharing!

Pedro.

 

[pmfs]

Actually, I only got two! The Gladiator, and a 'Eastern European', Viking'. A baldy with 'Cossack Pants', and a spear! ... Now harkening back, this was my test piece, before the 'Gladiator'.

Both! were painted so well. I declined to post them on here so as not to offend or embarrass the then establishment.

Mark.

Mark, you should post your miniatures.

Cheers

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

A master modeller one of the best and always in vanguard, but the world is always changing... His "wet on wet" tecnique for painting flesh in oils, is imho the best for the rookies achieved immediatly nice results...

Thanks for sharing!

Pedro.

Pedro!.. His method was the only comprehensive guide, for us 'rookies'. At that time.

But I am thankful for it! ... It was like , 'Oil paint'=. .. A bit of practise! and 'Hey-Presto', a fantastic 'Alien', with a 'Spear'. ...

But it was enough, to get me hooked.


Mark.

 

[smudger1960]

I brought my first Verlinden book in 1986 and I was inspired,from that point on I painted loads of verlinden 1/35 products and made Dioramas,it was also through his books that I first saw the work of Shep Paine,these 2 iconic model makers changed my approach to Modeling completely,I still have all my Verlinden manuals with Vol 2 being my favourite,this short film is great seeing the man himself at work.

 

[CGS military figures]

A huge inspiration, here are 3 original pieces by Francois now in our collection and love showing. Although not figures, the Panther and SPG appeared in 2 books and are very much treasured. The wespe is a very recent addition, apologies for going off topic with AFVs.

 

[John Bowery]

He and Bob Letterman defineately had influence on me. I collected all his how to books and still have them and look at them occasionally. Also not to forget "Shep Paine".

http://archive.ksdk.com/news/article/190322/78/Model-Maker
An interview with Francois.
Cheers
John