I/35 Milkman delivering in bomb damaged street

[Hanger2]

I was dead chuffed when I got a commission front Andy of Trackpads to paint the first of his new "Home Front" figure range. It is based on a photograph taken during WW2 possibly in London



The model is of nice resin that can be cut and scraped with a craft knife and came in six pieces, body, two arms, head, milk bottle crate and a gas mask box plus eight milk bottles, minimum cleaning up only required.



I painted the head and jacket in Artist's oils and the rest in Vallejo acrylics





The milk bottles with the cream at the top and the company logo printed on



Making a base from an old coffee jar top and DAS air drying modelling clay



Base with bombed debris waiting to dry

[DC87]

Great work, stunning job on a brilliantly unique figure - as ever your base is a cut above.

Keep the milk... I mean paint flowing

[wappynutter]

Very nicely done Geoff....
Love the little base you have created, what paints and washes do you use to get the effects created??
Also..... sorry for the questions..... using artists oils, how do they perform?
How quick do they dry??......and lastly what thinner do you use??
Thanks again matey, Mr Milko looks superb!!

[Hanger2]

Thanks Dan

Thanks Andy, I take it you mean the paint for the figure as the base hasn't had any paint on it yet.

Artist's oils are what is used on paintings and date back hundreds of years, they perform very well they take time to dry so you can blend colours together similar to the graduation process with acrylics. the paint can take 24 to 72 hrs or even longer to dry.

I use just normal white spirit as a thinner, as I do with any oil based paint, but I do not need much White spirit as I don't use it very wet, more like a stiff paste.
I only used Artist's oils on the face and jacket the rest is Vallejo Acrylic, starting with the basic colour, which was mixed to the colour I wanted, then when dry I used what I call a pin-wash type of process an Artist's oils wash mix of black and burnt umber with plenty of white spirit so it is like a dark coloured water, and I use this on the underside of folds and creases in the apron and trousers where shadows would appear, this is then left at least 8 to 12 hrs. Now I use Artist's oils again, this time white and using a perfectly dry flat brush and no white spirit is used this time, paint used straight from the tube, to dry-brush the tops of the folds and to blend in the darker edges of the pin-wash process. It is so hard to put this down in writing, so much easier to show people as I have done at my modelling days at the Tank Museum

Hope this has helped
Geoff

[JayCub]

Great figure painting and base geoff, i really enjoy looking at your work very inspiring, and i appreciate the explanations, very nice indeed,

Tom

[Hanger2]

Thanks Tom, pleased you like what I write, all it is is how I model and how it works for me after all the years I have been modelling in various forms, we all have our own way of doing things I'm not saying mine is the right way but If it helps someone, that's great.

Geoff

[Hanger2]

Steady on HM, but many thanks.

Geoff

[Rob]

Great work on a super figure. Is the figure on sale yet, if so, do you have a link?

[wappynutter]

Thanks Dan

Thanks Andy, I take it you mean the paint for the figure as the base hasn't had any paint on it yet.

Artist's oils are what is used on paintings and date back hundreds of years, they perform very well they take time to dry so you can blend colours together similar to the graduation process with acrylics. the paint can take 24 to 72 hrs or even longer to dry.

I use just normal white spirit as a thinner, as I do with any oil based paint, but I do not need much White spirit as I don't use it very wet, more like a stiff paste.
I only used Artist's oils on the face and jacket the rest is Vallejo Acrylic, starting with the basic colour, which was mixed to the colour I wanted, then when dry I used what I call a pin-wash type of process an Artist's oils wash mix of black and burnt umber with plenty of white spirit so it is like a dark coloured water, and I use this on the underside of folds and creases in the apron and trousers where shadows would appear, this is then left at least 8 to 12 hrs. Now I use Artist's oils again, this time white and using a perfectly dry flat brush and no white spirit is used this time, paint used straight from the tube, to dry-brush the tops of the folds and to blend in the darker edges of the pin-wash process. It is so hard to put this down in writing, so much easier to show people as I have done at my modelling days at the Tank Museum

Hope this has helped
Geoff

Thanks for the detailed reply Geoff, and yes sorry, the figure, but also what paints do you use to achieve the diorama finishes ie..... Paints, powders, pastels, oils, washes , finish?????
Just a casual question sir as I know that I will blink and next thing that base will look almost real with Mr Milkman walking amongst the destruction......
Thanks again for the detailed reply, your a star!

[Hanger2]

Thanks Rob, yes it is on sale, £8 plus p&p from http://trackpads.co.uk/swsshop/index.ph ... cts_id=111

[Hanger2]

Thanks Andy, for the dio which I am hopefully starting today is a bit more involved because I never really know until I start mixing paint. I have a cheap set of acrylic paint in tubes I got from The Works and I just mix colours I need from these be it brick, stone, concrete, etc, if I don't like the colour then I go over it again with a different shade. It probably sounds a bit hit and miss but that is my way of doing it.
Once I have blocked in the colours and they are dry then I use my usual pin-wash mix of Artist's oil based mix, as I mentioned above, and go over most of the areas I think will want it, usually 95% of the base, this is then left to dry, as before with figures 8-12 hrs, then dry brush with the Artist's oils white straight from the tube.
Now leave for 24-48 hrs to let the oils to dry, then I use MiG pigment powders to give a dusting using a small ladies makeup brush for this, JOB DONE

Again hope this helps
Geoff

[Rob]

Thanks Rob, yes it is on sale, £8 plus p&p from http://trackpads.co.uk/swsshop/index.ph ... cts_id=111

Ta

[Hanger2]

Here I go Andy.

These are the cheap paints I get for scenery, I am using the acrylic for this base.



I first sprayed the base with Halfords grey car primer from a rattle can, then I mixed various shades off grey for the paving and cobbles



When dry I mixed various shades of terracotta for the broken brickwork



Leaving this to dry then I can add some broken bits of wood then start applying the washes of Artist's oils based washes

Geoff

[wappynutter]

Thank you, thank you, thank you Geoff... You sir are a diamond..
So good of you to share your techniques and materials used with me/us!!
I am hooked now for the oil wash process, then Mig dusting and finish!!!

I guess I just enjoy seeing how the "professionals" work...
Hamilkar's video's on YouTube give me the same kind of fix!!!
Thanks again mate, so greatful you have taken the time to photograph and post your methods and materials for us!

[Hanger2]

You are most welcome Andy, there will be a few more pics in the next couple of days then it should be completed

As far as I am concerned I have no secrets it's just the way I model and if I can help someone improve their modelling then that's what makes me happy, and I learn as well by watching other modellers do their thing.

Geoff

[wappynutter]

You are most welcome Andy, there will be a few more pics in the next couple of days then it should be completed

As far as I am concerned I have no secrets it's just the way I model and if I can help someone improve their modelling then that's what makes me happy, and I learn as well by watching other modellers do their thing.

Geoff

Thanks again Geoff, you have given me ideas and made me feel comfortable with using my cheap paints.... I always thought I was using cheap acrylics and no one else did!!

Lol..... If only I'd known eh???
Look forward to your updates sir!!

[Hanger2]

Black and Burnt Umber Artist's oils with white spirit wash applied to the whole base, even the timber.

I use an old Citadel's paint pot to mix up a lot of the wash and then top it up as required, saves making fresh each time and all it needs is a good shake each time I use it.



This now needs to dry, so more tomorrow.

[DC87]

Really taking shape, love the different shades

This now needs to dry, so more tomorrow.

- tomorrow can't come soon enough.

[Coen]

I just caught up on this Geoff... Magnificent work buddy. Such a wonderful choice of subjects too.
This will be a head turner when it's done.

[longlance67]

great work mate

have been just catching up on this


keep it up


Shane

[Hanger2]

Thank you both, enjoying doing it.

Geoff

[Hanger2]

It's all finished.





Really enjoyed doing this, and pleased you all liked this blog.

Geoff

[wappynutter]

Thanks for sharing your build blog with us Geoff..
Your detailed explanations and photos accompanying have helped a lot..
You have created a Marvellous little scene from almost nothing.....
Well done again, love it loads Sir..
Many thumbs.....

[Hanger2]

Thanks so much Andy, I have really enjoyed it and receiving so many lovely comments make it so worthwhile.

Sadly when I retired and moved to Devon it was where there wasn't an active model club within a reasonable distance, as there was in Newbury where we lived before so I feel forums, like ISM, Military Modelling and FaceBook are, to me, my model club where I can show my models and get constructive criticism as and when needed.

Thanks again
Geoff

[JayCub]

Thanks Tom, pleased you like what I write, all it is is how I model and how it works for me after all the years I have been modelling in various forms, we all have our own way of doing things I'm not saying mine is the right way but If it helps someone, that's great.

Geoff

Thank you Geoff and i learned a little more today when you included your artist paints, much of what you and others create i look at and say there is something there i can learn or add to future works, i hope i can implement this in the summer for 23" (Space 1999I eagle builds i have ready to go maybe figures and a diorama.
much appreciated.

very impressive indeed Geoff

Tom

[Paul]

Love it Geoff brilliant work as always mate

[Hanger2]

Thank you Tom and Paul

[Dunhill2005]

WOW
Great work!!!

[Paips]

Looks Great

[Hanger2]

Thanks Guys, appreciate it.

Geoff

[RobertA]

I like that...

[Hanger2]

Thanks Robert, I was pleased with the outcome.

Geoff