Hi guys,

I've had a much-needed break from modelling recently and have just started back again.

My latest effort is this very good likeness of Tom Hanks as Captain John Miller, 2nd Ranger Battalion D-Day 1944 from the movie "Saving Private Ryan" produced by Young Miniatures. The facial likeness is very good and although I wish the bust came with a helmet, I believe the bare head will enhance the final look of the bust.

Just started a couple of nights ago laying down the basic acrylic colours for the face and some preliminary highlights and shading ahead of the oil washes. In keeping with the washed out colour palette of the movie, which gave it a wonderfully drab, realistic and historic feel, I'm planning to keep my colour palette on the drab side.

Still early days but a fun start. Have to watch the movie again the weekend for research purposes!!

Welcome back back mate and a great start, will keep my eye on this.

regards Zane

Great colours and tone Tony. You could almost do without the oils!

Cheers
Adrian

Hi Tony,
very nice start. Fine flesh tones and good likeness of Tom Hanks there, although I would consider to paint a gentle growth of beard to add detail.
I will follow your next progress,
best regards and welcome back in hobby, mate
R.L.

Looking good.

We like this, following the progress with interest!

Very nice start tony with the flesh colours,will be following with interest

Bout time you got your a**e into the hobby room again!!!!!
Nice start, and will follow your progress
Ben

Looking good mate. What a great sculpt, keep it up.

Thanks for all your comments guys.

I've only had a couple of weeks off, and the juices are flowing again. I'll post some better pics in a day or two to update my progress.

Robert I will definitely be adding some 5 o'clock shadow to the face and also some dirt and grime to represent the face of the actor in the movie.

Thats looking rather nice Tony

perfect likeness, this is coming along really well.

regards Zane

Gee that looks like Tom Hanks.
That's the challenge, getting the sculpted likeness to look like the original image, once painted.

Neat work on the shirt and webbing too!!

Cheers
Jamie

Thanks Jamie,

Yes its quite a challenge to produce a decent likeness of someone so well known, but it really helps when the sculpting is so accurate. The challenge now will be to add enough dirt and grime to the face to make him look battle-weary and soiled, without ruining the overall effect. I still have the Tommy Gun and the entrenching tool to add to the rear of the bust and then I will do a series of pin washes and stains to make him look a bit grubbier.

Nice to see you back from the post-WASMEx lethargy, Tony
He's looking great so far, you've brought out the likeness really well and I love the stubble.
Awesome work mate

Thanks for your comments Nick. I think the lethargy has gone now mate, and the juices are flowing again.

Still a few final washes to apply and some weathering on this bust. The base is a Ron Tamburrini bust plinth.

Nice one Tony, but I have a major complaint...... Can you stop painting them sooooo realistic!!!!!
Ben