Global Scale Modeller

I would like to introduce you to my entry to the non-military figure group build: Bill Sykes and his faithful (but mistreated) Bull Terrier, Bullseye.

This version of Mr Sykes is a 75mm resin figure produced by a Spanish outfit called Miniatures Fortes. It was purchased at Euro Militaire 2013 for the princely sum of £28. Not cheap, but, as you will see, I am very happy with my purchase despite some reservations about the casting.

The Package:



The Inspiration:



The Review:

The Youtube slideshow carries the full review

[youtube]xTqsVQ_Bcc4[/youtube]

The Summary:



A kit in 5 parts. Superb detail and sculpting capturing the essence of the character and his dog. As with many short run resin figures there is some cleanup required but the prominent casting line on the inner right leg, while fixable, is disappointing.

I am really looking forward to getting on with this but I have not yet fully decided on my approach. The main work will be in acrylics but I may do the flesh work in oils - we shall see.

I hope that you will check back from time to time on the forum and Youtube to check on progress

Excellent entry Rob. Looking forward to it

This will be good, I see they do a cool model of Fagin as well.

Will be watching to see how this one turns out but first I am off for a bowl of gruel.

Looks great, I looking forward to the progress commencing.

Nice choice dude.

This one should look great

Looks like a great figure - interested to see how this turns out.

A bit of Progress - From Build to Undercoat:

[youtube]yOyk1JTVvis[/youtube]

The figure went together well - a bit of filler in the arm joint and on the underside of Bullseye but nothing out of the ordinary. The head joint is excellent so I will paint this part separately. As anticipated, the removal of the hat from the casting block was not straightforward and there is a small chip on the brim. However, I have decided to leave this in place and will treat it as natural wear on the model.



A coat of Vallejo black primer was followed by an undercoat of Tamiya flat white





Some spoons were treated the same to act as a test-bed for the paintwork - this was a tip by the rather brilliant Dr Cranky: http://www.youtube.com/user/damncranky666



Soon the paint will flow!

Good video Rob, just subscribed to your channel so I can watch you painting Bill and Bullseye up.

great video mate bill is looking mean as ever lol

Awesome bill look forward to seeing more

...in which Bill finally gets a bit of paint and a spoon sees some action:

For a paint scheme I decided to be base my efforts on Oliver Reed's costumes. To achieve the necessary lived in look, I will be using, in the main, oil paints. The following video contains a description of my working methods and shows the first faltering steps towards completion.
[youtube]vW1LX0GHfzE[/youtube]

In short...
The source material


My sketches


Base coat of acrylics to act as ground for the oils


Figure and spoon ready for application of oils


Bill's coat before and after application of oils


The next stage will be completion of oil coats, highlighting and shading and weathering, so, watch this space

Thanks for looking

Looking good matey

I like the systematic approach you take. I wish I was that organised.

Looks you've got your zenithal lighting reference already with the base coat picture. The highlights and shadows really stand out well in that shot.

Love those spoons

WOW mate that coat looks so real. will be watching your video later tonight and looking forward to it.

Looking very nice dude.

Good update and loving the vids Rob

...in which I talk about adding light and shade to the figure and painting the clothing moves towards completion.

[youtube]rrq3D9-GXnw[/youtube]

Directional lighting
Useful links for the basics

http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2011/08/ ... hadow.html


http://blog.brushthralls.com/?page_id=1916


The clothing is around 90% complete. Still to do is some extreme highlights and shadows; the ties on the britches and the various buttons need more emphasis; the neckerchief needs a bit of colour; and, the boots, stockings, waistcoat and coat will all get some pigments to add weathering and interest. While the majority of the work has been done with oils, I used ComArt Transparent Smoke over the acrylic base coat on the stockings - this a very good shading and tinting agent (I used it on the cudgel too).


The head/face is coming together nicely and Bullseye has had a lick o'paint, so come back in a day or two to see progress

Nearly there! Thank you for looking

Truly outstanding, well done, awaiting more of this masterclass

Like i said on the video mate truly stunning loved watching you work mate

That looks awesome Rob!

...in which Bill's head is nearly completed and Bullseye gets a lick of paint.

[youtube]zcuYR7bmpzI[/youtube]

Scale/Size - Bill is a 75mm figure. Depending on maker this measurement is taken from top of head to bottom of feet or top of eyes to bottom of feet and is taken to represent a male of around 6ft or 180cm. This gives a scale of approx 1/24. This picture shows the head in comparison with a UK 1p coin...



The following pictures show the stages I used to paint the face beginning with the eyes...







For the main flesh areas I used an oil palette of Mars Brown and Titianium White. I saw a demonstration of this method by top figure guy, Adrian Hopwood. A bust painted by him using a palette similar to this can be seen in the latest issue of Figure Painter Magazine (an online PDF download costing a pound a pop - well worth it!)
http://www.figurepaintermagazine.co.uk.
The palette...



Head nearing completion. The hat is been painted with Warm Grey, Ivory Black and Raw Umber. The hair has been painted with a mix of French Ultramarine and Ivory Black with highlights added by mixing in White and a dot of Crimson, which neutralised the blue undertone ...



I made a start on Bullseye - acrylics only for this part (still a bit to be done)...



There may be a gap until the next stage which will see the job finished.

Thank you for looking.

Outstanding work dude.

never used oils for anything other than washes but the effects are great.

That is truly awesome work rob, fair play mate

Loving your vids Rob, very informative. Will give you a shout out on the next news show - You deserve more subs bud

Rob, that is truly outstanding!! All of that precision and detail on something no bigger than a small coin - WOW! Your mastery of lighting, textures and colour is truly breath-taking. Animals are especially hard to paint and looking at Bullseye, you could reach out and touch his coat.

I am not worthy to even post on your thread!

Thanks, you are all very kind. I am very pleased with way it is all coming together.

Gorgeous piece of artwork Rob....
Your use of oils is superb, the how-to diagrams and video tutorials make this a true master class for the noobs like me..
Very well done mate, and the promise of a shout out by Lee on the next ISM news video is high praise indeed.
Keep it up mate, will be sad to see you finish this..

The last update before final reveal

...in which Bill is, at last, a whole man. Come back soon for the completed model.

[youtube]v6IEggoQew0[/youtube]

I have to say that I am pleased with the way this has gone. Being part of a group build, for the very first time (and never had done a YouTube thingy before), has really brought a focus to my modelling, which until joining ISM a few short weeks ago, was always a solitary effort and it mattered less if corners were cut. I will certainly be joining in with more of these.

Bill: Details picked out, weathering powders added, some further highlight and shadow work...





A sneak preview of his stand (to be painted)...



Next stop - the final reveal.

Thank you for looking

Love what you've done Rob

That looks amazing rob

Cracking paintwork dude.

Stunning Rob , really like how you've gone about painting the large areas of coat .