Model Cellar MvR Bust (WIP)

[Michael Scarborough]

Hello all,

This is as far as I've gotten on this bust of von Richtofen. It is superbly well sculpted by Mike Good, and, as with all of his figures, regardless of genre, it is anatomically well proportioned and a faithful representaion of the man himself.

Please ignore the white streak on his left cheek. I still have no idea of how it got there. It is one of those model building mysteries of which we are all so fond and by which we NEVER allow ourselves to become frustrated. Uh huh.

The was started to be part of a "tri-o-rama".....a presentation of three MvR related pieces; this bust; a scene of his funeral, limited to the coffin and its bearers in 1/35 scale (hence my frustration at not knowing when WnW will release their wonderful figures, as having them would save a lot of precious time otherwise spent converting them from other figures); and a 1/32 scale aircraft, initially planned as the D.V, and in the livery so beautifully rendered by Tony Bell. That will explain the Albatros parts in the picture, showing my first experiments with wood coloring.

This will seem like a lot for one presentation, but I see the three disparate items linked by the common theme, and have the design well worked out using different visual levels. I believe (hope) it will be an unorthodox, but successful mix of scales.

Once I setteld on adding the coffin and its bearers it only made sense to portray 425/17, hence my initial post on Aerodrome with that question. That will be done some time down the line.

I was initially inspired to return to model building when I saw how far miniature figures had advanced while I was away from the hobby. I then became aware of the advances in kit manufacture, after market items, and research materials. As I told John Reid, story teller extraordinaire, in my early correspondence with him, by combining figures and models, the story telling possibilities are limited only by my imagination and skill. I have plenty, too damn much, of the former and am working like a fiend to develop the latter. Worth repeating is that a website like this, with the help and inspiration offered by fellow modellers, is invaluable in the growth process.

Cheers from NYC,
Michael

Michael Scarborough Design - Historically Informed Design & Craftsmanship

[coyotemagic]

Michael! Wow! The facial shading is superb and the tonal variations nice and subtle. Among the best figure painting I've ever seen. Who knew you had all this talent? I sure as hell didn't. You need to give me a tutorial.
,
Bud

[WWIPilotFig]

Michael,

Great start on our Manfred bust! The face looks great!! You'll have to post more when you make new progress. ...and of course the finished product - can't wait to see the finished product!

regards,
Paul
The Model Cellar

[Michael Scarborough]

Thank you Paul and Bud,

Much appreciated. Seeing it in the photos always gives a great opportunity to decide to eother forge ahead, or throw it at the wall. I think I'll keep going on this one and will let you know how it turns out.

PLEASE keep Mike Good churning out those wonderful figures, as his are truly in a class by themselves. With the meteoric rise of kits in 1/32, perhaps you could start turning out some ground crew, etc, as well.

Cheers from NYC,
Michael

[Trackpad]

Michael,

Beautiful work, old trout! I assume that you're using oils for this project. It's going to be worth the wait to see the full, fixed, final and formal result of your planned project! Good luck!

[davecww1]

Nice work Michael! Just saw someone at the Granitecon show sunday that used this head, and scratchbuilt the rest of MvR, nice job in G.I. Joe scale!
Dave

[Epee]

Very well done! I half expect him to begin speaking!

Mike Good did an excellent job on that sculpture and it is the best likeness of MvR around IMHO. You've certainly done the sculpture justice and avoided the overshading that makes the figure look vampiric.

[Michael Scarborough]

avoided the overshading that makes the figure look vampiric.

Now that may be the nicest thing anyone has ever said about anything I've ever done! We can't have a vampiric Baron even though Halloween is approaching and he flew a blood red Triplane.

I really do appreciate the compliment. I know there are lots of rules about highlights and shading, but, IMHO, rule numero uno is to trust ones eye. Airplane or figure, I am striving to make it look like, what to my eye resembles, the real thing. Practice, practice, practice.

Cheers from NYC,
MIchael

[Kaiser Bill]

Michael excellent work...Andrei will be proud!!

Kaiser Bill;

[Michael Scarborough]

Thanks, Bill......actually, I called him today and he said, "Michael, who??"

No...he's a great guy, an astounding model builder, and a wonderful mentor.

Cheers from this side of the rivers, (all 3 of 'em)
Michael