1/16 Russian Commander

[digger303]

This is a short modified illustration called ....." No great Expectations "




No resin here this is old school stick um together.
This must have been one of Tamiya's early works OR so I thought 2010...hmmm.
The fit is close , bit still a few gaps and not what I expect from them these days. I used sprue goo to fill almost all and that worked fairly well first go.

The head was a real juggling act to get the four pieces to fit together without either slipping away or squeezing out of shape.



Getting close now to fully assembled although he might have lost his head....


I have still to wait for the sprue goo to harden and clean up his waist line. Wish it was so easy to clean mine up...

[BigWall]

OMG Digger! Too funny!

[Twokidsnosleep]

‘Alas poor Vladimir, I knew him well”

[digger303]

‘Alas poor Vladimir, I knew him well”

Stalin's purge knew no bounds

[krusty69]

[RangerNeil]

Looks interesting Digger - you are going to have fun picking out those awards & medals on the chest!!

[digger303]

Looks interesting Digger - you are going to have fun picking out those awards & medals on the chest!!

A tongue in cheek comment that sent me scurrying to check out the large box art. I had assumed they would have
provided decals for that , but no...
Those medals are going to cause me much angst I fear.
I'm still working on the details picking out the straps , pocket flaps, belt and the like under cutting them and squaring up the edges. Ridding it of softer details as much as I can.

[Stokesy44]

‘Alas poor Vladimir, I knew him well”

Stalin's purge knew no bounds

Must have been a helluva joke for that to happen!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Ahh you can do the medals and straps
Just need a good paint, not Tamiya, and a decent brush. Citadel or something that is meant for brushing
The leather belts and straps are super easy with oil paint..can send some suggestions if need

[digger303]

Ahh you can do the medals and straps
Just need a good paint, not Tamiya, and a decent brush. Citadel or something that is meant for brushing
The leather belts and straps are super easy with oil paint..can send some suggestions if need

Neil had me searching for a possible decal sheet. Which I couldn't find so I thought I didn't have one then after I turned the PC off I found it.
So I'm all good it not only has the medals , but the eyes too. Kind of cheating, but it works for me....



Ps....Always glad of suggestions

[KalebB]

Can't wait to see it all painted up, enjoy doin up those medals

[digger303]

Can't wait to see it all painted up, enjoy doin up those medals

Easy peesy

[digger303]

Time for a small update.

I primed then painted the figure in black and then shot white from over head to pick up the details and create shadows.
I think I did too much and I should have changed angles as I got too much white over the figure and in some recesses.


After two thin paint coats ( thinned as suggested ) it looks like this with some black showing through as it should.


One last coat and now my shadows are mostly gone.


So I've gone wrong somewhere.
My plan of action is now in disarray and I'm having to rethink this.
I'll gladly listen to any pointers.


Ps... Man close up pic's are a real destroyer of confidence.....

[RangerNeil]

That happened on both of mine mate. In the end I just added a spot or two of dark grey to the top coat, thinned it as much as possible and brushed it into the folds.

[Stokesy44]

Hey Digger,

The surface detail has been massively improved by your knife work.

As you asked for advice on the bodywork, this is what I do.

For the shadow and highlights I mix the base coat with a little black for the inner folds and then for the crease edges I mix the base with a little white or yellow depending on the color. For the crease edges you can use a dry-brush technique as that will pick out the edges really well and will be subtle yet visible.

If it still looks too flat, darken / lighten the base further and repeat.

A wash will then even things up a little so the shadows and highlights look natural

[digger303]

Hey Digger,

The surface detail has been massively improved by your knife work.

As you asked for advice on the bodywork, this is what I do.

For the shadow and highlights I mix the base coat with a little black for the inner folds and then for the crease edges I mix the base with a little white or yellow depending on the color. For the crease edges you can use a dry-brush technique as that will pick out the edges really well and will be subtle yet visible.

If it still looks too flat, darken / lighten the base further and repeat.

A wash will then even things up a little so the shadows and highlights look natural

"For the shadow and highlights I mix the base coat with a little black for the inner folds and then for the crease edges I mix the base with a little white or yellow depending on "

That's the solution I was leaning towards only I was worried I would make the edges too distinctive and not blend it correctly.
Thanks for your advice

[Stokesy44]

That's the solution I was leaning towards only I was worried I would make the edges too distinctive and not blend it correctly.
Thanks for your advice

If it looks too stark you can dry brush the highlight edges again with a calmer tone. That will calm things down and a wash on top will also have the same effect.

[digger303]

That's the solution I was leaning towards only I was worried I would make the edges too distinctive and not blend it correctly.
Thanks for your advice

If it looks too stark you can dry brush the highlight edges again with a calmer tone. That will calm things down and a wash on top will also have the same effect.

Sweet

[cor]

Use brushes my man. Do it old school.

[digger303]

Working on the tunic.
I added some black /green shadows in with not very good control.


Then went over it with the colour I was using trying to keep it to the high and flat areas. Then added a layer over everything
and it seems I went too far again.


Too me the back looks better


Try again I guess.

[digger303]

Use brushes my man. Do it old school.

I am....I guess the take away good for my ego is you thought I was using a AB.
Brushes only except for the primer and the white at the very beginning.

[cor]

Use brushes my man. Do it old school.

I am....I guess the take away good for my ego is you thought I was using a AB.
Brushes only except for the primer and the white at the very beginning.

yes, I thought you were using the ubiquitios airbrush for the whole thing. my bad.

[Twokidsnosleep]

It is coming along great
You are so close to nailing this and it all revolves around making it darker in the nooks and crannies and flatter on the paint
I would do a thin gloss clear coat to seal your colour in and then a thinned dark oil wash
You will be surprised what details it will draw out. Then paint your medals and do a flat clear

Lots of videos on making your own oil wash..Plasmo has one. Magic wash is another name to look for
Yes close up pics are VERY humbling

[Tomcat64]

You're making great progress on this and don't get too frustrated with getting the shadows & highlights sorted out at the first attempt - it's definitely a case of keep going back & working at it, just try adding small amounts of the shadow colours to the base for the folds a bit at a time and going deeper each time.

Same in reverse for the highlights - when you look at full sized clothes it's amazing how little of the actual base colour is actually seen in reality.

Keep at it - you'll get there & then there's just picking out the details

[digger303]

You're making great progress on this and don't get too frustrated with getting the shadows & highlights sorted out at the first attempt - it's definitely a case of keep going back & working at it, just try adding small amounts of the shadow colours to the base for the folds a bit at a time and going deeper each time.

Same in reverse for the highlights - when you look at full sized clothes it's amazing how little of the actual base colour is actually seen in reality.

Keep at it - you'll get there & then there's just picking out the details

Damn TC I thought I'd pushed this figure away and you bring it right back with helpful prodding.....
I have been feeling a bit guilty about it and pulling it out again when I have a good block of time and maybe after I have everything else progressed in the paint cue.
Thanks for the tips. I'm sure I've used the wrong method and applications of paint with this, but I will take on board what you have said.

[Tomcat64]

I'm sure I've used the wrong method and applications of paint with this, but I will take on board what you have said.

There's no right or wrong, you've just got to find the method that works best for you

Just for info I generally start with the darkest shadow colour and then gradually add the base colour and then up through to the highlights because I'm useless at putting the shadows in after putting the base colour down. Others start with the base coat & then drop in the shadows and highlights from there. Like I said you've just got to find what works for you.

[Garion77]

For me, you're doing a great job. figures are hard and you are courageous enough to show real close ups pictures, which will show a lot.
Keep going my friend and you'll nail everything !

[digger303]

Like I said I have even less idea of what I'm doing here and this looks bloody awful



So I added more paint like i DO


Then put it away for weeks started 2 or 3 other kits and on almost finishing hem I've sucked my gut in and this is the evening work.


No where near being right , but maybe it's a little closer to the finish line.

[digger303]

The face has stared me down so far and that's why I've only got body shots updated.



Medals weren't a real issue with my my steady hand




PS....I must try to fix those fingers

[Tomcat64]

That uniform is coming along nicely

With the face I'd suggest toning down the lips quite a bit... just maybe use the base flesh tone with a hint of red and see how that looks?

[RangerNeil]

Body is looking excellent - well done!!

[aur0ra145]

Looking very nice!

[digger303]

That uniform is coming along nicely

With the face I'd suggest toning down the lips quite a bit... just maybe use the base flesh tone with a hint of red and see how that looks?

Your right about that. I've ignored the lips trying to get the tongue, eyes, eyebrows and skin right.
Next update I'll get onto them.

Looking very nice!

Body is looking excellent - well done!!

Thanks guys

[Twokidsnosleep]

Uniform is first class paint work

Just tone down the face and it will fall into place

[Stokesy44]

That is very tasty work on many levels.

Base colors
Uniform shading
Leather work
Medals and insignia

Jolly good effort all round.

[digger303]

Uniform is first class paint work

Just tone down the face and it will fall into place

Will try....the use of ochre colour might serve me best has been suggested.

That is very tasty work on many levels.

Base colors
Uniform shading
Leather work
Medals and insignia

Jolly good effort all round.

High praise indeed, but you might want to rescind some of it. As the shoulder pads, medals are decals.

[digger303]

Finger stubs are on, but waiting for the glue to set.
I don't think I can improve on the face any more. I just don't know enough or have enough practice, but I'm pretty pleased so far.



If I get these fingers sorted out then I've just got to add the Tommy gun,glue that thumb back ,add the two bags.

[Twokidsnosleep]

You have done great with the face….each one gets better
I really like all the uniform details too
Solid figure work

[Stokesy44]

That is very tasty work on many levels.

Base colors
Uniform shading
Leather work
Medals and insignia

Jolly good effort all round.

High praise indeed, but you might want to rescind some of it. As the shoulder pads, medals are decals.

Well lets just say they were beautifully applied!

[psmithmags]

Turned out well Digger . The face has come up trumps! Can't wait to see how the fingers turn out.

[DRUMS01]

I agree with Stokesy and Paul, nice job all around so far. And kudos to you for sticking with the many painting challenges are coming up with a wonderful result. Now everything left should be easy for you. How are you going to display him once complete?

What will your next figure be? If you haven't thought about it much, I can tell you that quality resin figures in 1/16 or 120mm offer greater details than what can be done in an injection molded kit. Nothing wrong with either, but if you want to push for more detail perhaps you may want to venture into a resin large scale model (?).

Once again, good job..... so far!

[BigWall]

Excellent work with the figure!

[digger303]

You have done great with the face….each one gets better
I really like all the uniform details too
Solid figure work

Excellent work with the figure!

Thank you.

I agree with Stokesy and Paul, nice job all around so far. And kudos to you for sticking with the many painting challenges are coming up with a wonderful result. Now everything left should be easy for you. How are you going to display him once complete?

What will your next figure be? If you haven't thought about it much, I can tell you that quality resin figures in 1/16 or 120mm offer greater details than what can be done in an injection molded kit. Nothing wrong with either, but if you want to push for more detail perhaps you may want to venture into a resin large scale model (?).
Once again, good job..... so far!

I'll put him up on the shelf, maybe I'll incorporate a small base..dunno yet.
I don't know about the easy part I fiddled with the flesh colours again. I don't seem to be able to stop myself trying to improve the colour. I think
I might have taken a step backwards.

Turned out well Digger . The face has come up trumps! Can't wait to see how the fingers turn out.

I hope todays post isn't a step backwards, cause I know it still isn't right.
But thanks for the kindness.

[digger303]

As I said I fiddled and fiddled and now I may have shifted the colour tone too far.
Oh and I've added the tommy gun and his man bags.
Very shiny atm because of the gloss varnish and the green wash I added. Hopefully the matte will shift the tone a tad.
His great aunt was a Vulcan.

[RangerNeil]

Thats an excellent job Digger - congratulations!!

[digger303]

Thats an excellent job Digger - congratulations!!

You can come for a beer any time.....
Thanks mate.

[psmithmags]

Oh and I've added the tommy gun and his man bags.

His great aunt was a Vulcan.

:

Oh and I've added the tommy gun and his man bags. Made me laugh a lot. Man bag indeed. You'll be looking for one with a hair bun next.
His great aunt was a Vulcan .Still think you're doing yourself a disservice Digger, seems to have turned out well, I think.

[digger303]

Oh and I've added the tommy gun and his man bags.

His great aunt was a Vulcan.

:

Oh and I've added the tommy gun and his man bags. Made me laugh a lot. Man bag indeed. You'll be looking for one with a hair bun next.
His great aunt was a Vulcan .Still think you're doing yourself a disservice Digger, seems to have turned out well, I think.

" You'll be looking for one with a hair bun next." Princess Leila....nah

Apart from that thank you for the kind words...

[digger303]

He's done and I dunno about tackling another one....might be a considerable amount of time

Boots are meant to look dusty. I've got a theme going...




I stuck the little headless guy in there for a sense of size 1/35 and 1/16....doesn't look quite right.





Thanks for all the encouragement guys I needed it with this one. It came close to being a shelf queen.

[RangerNeil]

Turned out well Digger - well done mate
Next time - maybe try an aincient figure, they are a lot less complex.....