KenBoyle
PlanetFigure Supporter
Ben Thompson Gambler/Gunman/Lawman, Old West - 1870s
Once again I return to painting some of my favorite Series 77 90mm "Americans". I painted this figure to represent Ben Thompson. Here is a short Bio from Wikipedia. I also included a old Photo Of Thompson for reference.
Ben Thompson (November 2, 1843 – March 11, 1884) was a gunman, gambler, and sometimes lawman of the Old West. He was a contemporary of "Buffalo" Bill Cody, Bat Masterson, John Wesley Hardin, and "Wild Bill" Hickok, some of whom considered him a friend, others an enemy. Thompson fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, and later for Emperor Maximilian in Mexico. When hired in 1881 as marshal in Austin, Texas, the crime rate reportedly dropped sharply. Thompson was murdered at the age of 40 in San Antonio, Texas, in the "Vaudeville Theater Ambush." (Wikipedia)
I made a few minor changes to the figure. The kit head is tilted to the left and lacked that self confident look that I was going for. I straightened the head and raised the chin to give him a more arrogant look. This required a re-sculpting of the Shirt collar. In addition the right hand holding the cane looked a bit smaller than the left hand. I added some bulk to the right hand to bring them in line. A subtle change. Finally, the kit figure appears to lean on his cane. Since, in my view, Ben Thompson treats the cane as a fashion accessory and not a mobility aid, I moved the tip of the cane in towards his body so there was no impression of leaning.
This box art for the figure shows him dressed in black. To be different and minimize the "Undertaker" look, I painted him in shades of brown. It doesn't hurt that brown is infinitely easier to paint than black.
All painting was done in acrylics and very simple groundwork was added to the base.
Thanks for Looking
Ken
Actual Photo of Thompson
Once again I return to painting some of my favorite Series 77 90mm "Americans". I painted this figure to represent Ben Thompson. Here is a short Bio from Wikipedia. I also included a old Photo Of Thompson for reference.
Ben Thompson (November 2, 1843 – March 11, 1884) was a gunman, gambler, and sometimes lawman of the Old West. He was a contemporary of "Buffalo" Bill Cody, Bat Masterson, John Wesley Hardin, and "Wild Bill" Hickok, some of whom considered him a friend, others an enemy. Thompson fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, and later for Emperor Maximilian in Mexico. When hired in 1881 as marshal in Austin, Texas, the crime rate reportedly dropped sharply. Thompson was murdered at the age of 40 in San Antonio, Texas, in the "Vaudeville Theater Ambush." (Wikipedia)
I made a few minor changes to the figure. The kit head is tilted to the left and lacked that self confident look that I was going for. I straightened the head and raised the chin to give him a more arrogant look. This required a re-sculpting of the Shirt collar. In addition the right hand holding the cane looked a bit smaller than the left hand. I added some bulk to the right hand to bring them in line. A subtle change. Finally, the kit figure appears to lean on his cane. Since, in my view, Ben Thompson treats the cane as a fashion accessory and not a mobility aid, I moved the tip of the cane in towards his body so there was no impression of leaning.
This box art for the figure shows him dressed in black. To be different and minimize the "Undertaker" look, I painted him in shades of brown. It doesn't hurt that brown is infinitely easier to paint than black.
All painting was done in acrylics and very simple groundwork was added to the base.
Thanks for Looking
Ken
Actual Photo of Thompson
