Hi,
I have an idea that I'm going to propose to everyone that I hope you'll find interesting.

I'm going to do a step by step build and paint of a bust using oil paints (big surprise )

My plan is to first offer anyone interested the chance to choose which bust to paint from two busts that have selected. I've chosen these busts for a couple of reasons.
One, they're not too complicated.
Two, they're readily available.
And three, they're not expensive.

Once I hear from enough interested people, I'll announce the bust to be used and you'll have plenty of time to buy one.

The reason you'll have plenty of time is that I plan on doing the entire SBS completed before I publish anything. That means that I'll have the bust assembled and painted, the pictures taken and the instructions finished before the beginning of the SBS ever goeson line.

With each installment, you'll have one or two weeks to complete that phase, post pictures and ask questions. Then we'll move on to the next phase of the build. The time will be determined by the progress of the bulk of the participants.

Here are the two busts I've selected for you to choose from.
Number one: Verlinden's Otto Skorzeny bust, 1/9 (200mm) scale



Number two: Verlinden's Colonel Banastre Tarleton bust, 1/9 (200mm) scale



The Skorzeny bust will be relatively simple as there aren't too many colors you'll be working with and not a lot of intricate detail to paint. The Tarelton bust is a little more complicated as there are more colors and more detail to contend with.

So if you're interested, please post your thoughts and your preference for which bust in this thread.

Thanks,
Craig

I just ordered the Verlinden's Colonel Banestre Tarleton bust a few days ago... If only you had said "acrylics"

Or maybe this is the perfect time to try your hand at oils! :-)

Sounds like a great idea Craig...espeicially since I can never seem to get a figure(or any project for that matter) finished. Usually I tend to try an stay away from oils because I hate dealing with thinners an what not. I would like to see what kinda results I get with oils to see if I like them better. Quick questions since Iam such a Noob at painting figures is it alright doing practice on a bust? and Which one of the two will you be using so I can pick that one up to go along with what you do. And will you have list of oils/supplies used with your techniques as I can get what I don't already have. Think I got 1 tube (maybe none) of oil paint. Sorry for rambling on. Thanks Craig even if I can't get anything done I would to see your results for sbs and everyone elses jobs on the project.

AJ

Hi Craig,

Great idea, I like the Verlinden's Colonel Banestre Tarleton bust. I think we could learn a lot more from that one because of the colours, detail and different textures.

All the best

Vic

Great idea Craig, I'm sure oil painting SBS would come in handy to many modelers here. I know I could use the lessons as I'm a novice in oils myself...

I like the Banastre bust better. It seems to be more complex, but hey... that's what this hobby is all about... learning new techniques and trying stuff that you feel are too complex to even think about. That's the only way to improve your skills.

Good idea to complete the bust before posting the actual SBS thus making sure the "oil painting tutorial" comes to an ending.

Mario

Interesting ---- and a generous offer of your time. I am interested in trying this, (but a bit nervous) as this would be a first time with oils on something this large. Not to jump the gun, but are there certain basic types of brushes that would be useful to have for this bust (and also brand and quality recommendations on paint)?

Thanks


Steve
ps: No preference regarding bust choice.

Hi guys,
Thanks for your interest in this project

For AJ:
The bust will be decided by the preference of those that take part. That is, whichever bust has the most "votes" from you folks is the one that I will paint for the project.
Good news for you...I almost never thin my oils when painting.So far, it looks like it will be the Tarleton bust.
As for practicing on a bust...that's what a lot of my figures end up being :-)
Seriously, I see no problems with that. One thing I've found is that if I'm not happy with the initial progress I'm making on a figure, I don't hesitate to strip it with oven cleaner and start over. Sometimes several times. It's just the way it goes sometimes.

For AJ and Steve:
I'll be posting a list of the oils I'll use including brands. Same thing for the brushes.
But you can get a good idea of both by looking at my articles for the site.
basics of oil painting

fleshtones

various oil mixes

I'll give this thread a little more time to see if anyone else is interested before I say which bust we'll do.

And just a note, what I'm going to do is simply share with you my process for assembling and painting busts. There are lots of folks that are a lot better at this than I can ever hope to be. And for sure they do things differently than I do. But if you've never done a bust, maybe this will get you hooked

Thanks again,
Craig

Hi Craig:

I think you've come up with a super idea here. And I am eager to give it
a try. It is kind of you to devote your free time to do this in order to help us
improve as figure painters. Of the two choices you mentioned — like my
good friend, The Bristol Boomer Vic Garland — I prefer the bust of that
nasty USA Revolutionary War British Cavalry officer, Tarleton

Hokay, Grim Reaper. . . are you going to jump on the band wagon?

Okay Rick, I'm in too.

Craig, I think this is a great idea, especially if we all work on the same bust with you guiding us along. This is new territory for me that I've been wanting to try (Oils) so for me the timing is perfect. By the way, I vote for the Tarieton bust.
Best regards,
Gary

Hi guys,

I'd just like to reiterate an important point Craig made:




Guys this really is a great opportunity, so make your preference of bust heard.

Also, don't forget that once your bust is complete you can enter it in the Seil Models FOTM contest and stand a chance of winning a figure from Seil Models

Craig, thanks for doing this SBS. Regretably I won't be joining you for the ride this time... just too many other projects and commitments

Rudi

Craig,
What a great opportunity to learn new skils Count me on, and keep us posted!
Cheers,
Pierre

Hi Pierre,
Welcome aboard! I had just seen your post about trying a face with oil paints and was going to reply with an invitation to join us .
You've got the information on the bust we're going to paint from this thread. I've got the first two installments written and just need to rework them a little bit.
My original plan was to not post any installments until the entire piece was completed. But I think that I can at least post the one concerning the supplies you'll need and the the one on assembly of the bust. that will give everyone a head start for when the painting is ready to go.
Keep your eyes open for those soon.
Craig

Thanks a lot Craig,
Is the bust already selected and shall I order it, or is this information included in your first installment?
Cheers,
- Pierre

Hi Pierre,
Sorry for not mentioning it but yes, the bust has been selected. The overwhelming choice was the Tarleton bust. So go ahead and order it if you don't have it in you stash already :-)

Here's a link to a second thread about the build...
Tarleton bust
Craig

Gosh, the bust seems to be on backorder almost everywhere. So far I found it only on one site, but they charge $34 for the shipping only
I am desperately looking elsewhere, but no success so far.
Can anyone help?
- Pierre

Hokay Craig:

The Grim Reaper and I are ready to go. I'm excited about this Tarlton bust
project, have it on hand and just checking out your posts from time to
time. Also am working on the Pegaso Competition contest at the same
time. Great.

Pierre,
You didn't mention which two sites you had looked at but here are two sites you can co check...
Squadron
Military Miniatures Warehouse
Both are in the US so that might not be in your favor.
I hope these help.

Rick,
Things have really been busy around here lately. I've got my copy assembled, primed and the face undercoated and two installments written so far. What I need to do is get them rewritten to allow me to post them sooner with info on supplies and assembly. The assembly installment will be complete for everyone. the supply installment will cover just the figure, base, paints for fleshtones and some misc. stuff.
I'm hoping I can make enough time this week to do this.
Craig

Squadron is sold out, as well as MMW ( I ordered it from there, but John kindly refunded my payment. Kudos
I asked GreatModels, and am awaiting the status.
- Pierre

Pierre,
Here's a link to the bust on Verlindens site...
VP
Could be worth a try too.
Craig

Trying very hard, Craig But no results so far. The Verlinden site points to shops of which none has the bust (or charges 36 bucks for s/h). I count on GreatModels. If no good, I will be running out of options

Roger that, Craig;

Unlike most people and I presume that would include yourself, I'm retired
and just sitting here drooling in ma' soup and watchin the leave fall offen'
da trees. . . wondering iffin' ah should wake up or jussssss snooooooze
away for a nudder day.
No problem - mo, mate. when ever you get the time, we're here to
get started. I'm sure it will be fun but more importantly, helpful in terms
of advancing my skill re the flesh tones, etc.

Pierre,

Welcome to HFM

Here are a few more you could try (Please note that I haven't actually checked whether the following stores stock VLS products...

Colorado Miniatures
The Red Lancers
Squadron
Historex Agents

Rudi

Thanks Rudi I ordered from Historex. Quite expensive though... now awaiting the delivery!

On a side note: I really appreciate the support one gets here. I can feel that my progress curve will be very steep. Thanks to everyone!

Hi Pierre,
I'm glad to hear that you managed to find one but I'm very sorry to hear that it cost you so much. One of my goals was to pick a bust that wasn't expensive. Just to make it easier for folks to participate. I wish we had been able to help you get one at a good price.




Once again I am impressed by the distance that the members here will go to to help out other members.
Makes me proud to be associated with this bunch
Craig