Guys, here's my latest I just finished tonight...likely needs a few touchups but I'll let it sit a day or so before I start culling it over. It's a 54mm conversion of a figure from the parts box, new head, boots, arms, and a corrected uniform to represent the Army uniform circa 2005-current. The soldier sadly staring at his buddy's dog tags in his hand, with the battle cross in front of him, is an unfortunately familiar sight in the last few years in news articles, but I really wanted to depict this in miniature. Cheers, Stephen

that's nice work sir. I love things like this put into miniature. The scene is sad and unfortunate but the art is something that has to be done. I salute you my friend for making this into miniature art.

Brilliant Stephen. Where did you get the perfect mini roses?

Many, many thanks guys. I tracked down some dried flowers that were super tiny and in scale a couple weeks ago at a Hobby Lobby here in Austin.

As a reporter who has written stories about our soldiers in Afghanistan, including one we lost from my community, I'd like to say I'm delighted to see such a tribute, Stephen.
Well done
Mary

Very nice Ward! Glad to see you pull it off. Good job on finishing this one up.

Hi Stephen,

Really great work and story..... Composition and neat painting too

Chao
Allan

Very good scene and nice paintwork.

marc

Great work mate, that uniform is hard to do
Any chance of sharing the colours you used on the uniform ?

It may be just me but I think the neck on the figure is to long.
Other than that he looks great

Ryally

Great stuff Steve...

Love the paintwork and the composition!

Good job Stephen. Love this tribute!

Beautiful little scenery. Great job.

Xenofon

Good job Ward. ABout time you finished something!

Stephen,
Superb idea and you carried it out excellently.
Cheers
John

Good work, moving vignett

Mary, thanks. I'm an Iraq vet myself so I feel a bit more of an obligation to portray stuff like this for what it is.

Mike, thanks buddy. Couldn't have done it without ya!

Thanks much Allan. I take queues from you in terms of ideas for composition my friend.

Carl, thanks bud.

Thank you Marc. Definitely a labor of love.

Paul, thanks buddy. The scale chart scales it out okay but I do agree with ya, it looks a tad long. I don't know if I'll even attempt to mess with the damn thing at this point, but good eye sir. As for the paint mixes, a base coat of 75/25 Vallejo Russian Uniform and Reaper Weathered Stone. Next came the lighter shade of camo ( this is similar to Calvin Tan's brilliant method of painting ACU with the dark shade first ), made with Reaper Weathered Stone and Reaper Yellowed Bone, mixed in a ratio of about 80/20 or so. Outlining of seams and such with Reaper Pale Lichen mixed with a bit of Weathered Stone; used this for some highlighting glazes as well. Shadows with Pale Lichen and some Reaper Black Primer mixed in and glazed. Outlining with Black Primer. Hope this helps sir.

Dan, thanks bro. Glad you like it!

Dave, much appreciated my friend. I am happy you dig the finished piece!

Xenofon, thank you for the compliment.

Jason, thanks brother.....and yes, you're absolutely right.

Thank you kindly John. I definitely tried!

Daniel, thanks sir.

Great work Stephen! Nice painting, and I love the camo work!
Scott

Thanks Scott...it was tedious but I'm pleased with it bro. Nice to try a new method.