Simon's Sculpts

South American Liberators

2011-09-24T02:22:00.001-07:00

Just a quick update at the moment to let you know where I am with this new project. I am almost ready now for the first batch to be complete ready for mould making and then casting. With luck these should be ready in time for Warfare in November.

First up, the Army of the Andes wearing their short jackets the Argentines of San Martin wore when they crossed the Andes. These were the first I did and made these marching with various arm positions to give a little variety in a unit.

Next we have the first of the royalists wearing the summer dress white short jacket and covered shakos. Again these all have slight differences, mainly in the position of the musket.

Each side has a flank company man and one infantryman wearing a forage cap together with officer, drummer and ensign figures, only on of these as the battalions only carried one flag each.

Now I am only left with the NCO figures I want to be able to package the command up as a pack of four figures.

New 28mm figure range on the workbench

2011-07-11T00:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I thought I'd try something new, I'll let you have more information as I progress but I have attached a picture as a sneak preview of the first few figures for my new range, all 28mm. These are the first few Argentine infantry in the short coat worn by San Martin's Army of the Andes as they crossed into Chile to do battle with the Spanish. They will be suitable for Chacabuco and Maipo as well as other battles around 1817-1818.

Sorry if the picture is a wee bit small but I'll get some proper ones as the range progresses.

The intention is to create enough figures for each side in the conflict as a starter to enable me to sell these individually with variations to each pose so that I can also package them up.

I have almost finished the first Argentine contingent and will post more pictures as they are completed. Of course I'll also be doing some flags for these wee chaps to carry as well.

Almost finished, the marching Argentine line infantry below have slightly different poses for a bit of variety on the theme. I am trying to work on the figures as 'packs', thus the line infantry will be in a pack of eight figures, two of each pose below, the grenadiers will be in a pack of four, as will the command which will probably have an additional fusileer figure.

Now for the command figures and a grenadier, the cazadores wore the same as the centre companies, the grenadiers were differentiated by a red bag hanging down the left side ofg the shako. Generally each battalion carried only one flag so there is only one colour bearer.

New castings for Vietnam

2011-06-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

Above are some new castings for the US, a Platoon Commander and Sergeant wityh two infantry, one firing a LAW and one carrying a LAW on his back.
Below are some new NVA figures, all carrying AK-47 except one which is firing an RPG.

More Vietnam

2011-03-29T12:52:00.000-07:00

The start of the next batch of figures for Parkfield Miniature's 28mm Vietnam War range, first up a couple of command figures, one squad leader and the centre one a Lieutenant holding a map, the one on the right is an infantryman carrying a LAW. More LAW figures to follow including at least one firing.

Next a few NVA, this time around will include five or six of these chaps including a leader figure.

New 28mm Vietnam

2011-03-15T13:12:00.000-07:00

A quick update. I have been spending quite a lot of time on some new rules but here are a few shots of some up and coming figures. This time working on some NVA infantry types as well as US with LAWS, also a US Platoon Leader holding a map. Hopefully I will also be doing a few figures holding a AN PRC/6 radio.

New 'Nam stuff

2011-02-24T14:13:00.000-08:00

Here are the first of the NVA troops for Vietnam, identifyable as they will be wearing helmets.

Yes, I know, I have cheated and adapted a couple of early figures to make a start on the NVA.

Vietnam M113 A1 and spider hole

2010-11-10T02:28:00.001-08:00

Vietnam M113 part 4

2010-11-08T01:00:00.001-08:00

So now I've got the bits cast up, resin body and metal fixtures and fittings and crew I decided to paint one up. This one had a few bits that didn't cast as well as some others so I thought I'd have that one for myself, with a bit of battle damage.

The pack will include the crew figures with the stowage available as a separate pack and a second vehicle, the ACAV version available as well.

Prices not fixed at the moment but these will be released at Warfare in reading in a couple of weeks time. The stowage pack will include a few packs, a jerrycan and a couple of rolled up bits to look like tarpaulin or netting. Side skirts are included in the vehicle pack although they are not shown in these pictures.

Vietnam M113 A1

2010-10-10T13:42:00.001-07:00

Vietnam M113 part 3

2010-09-26T06:34:00.001-07:00

Vietnam M113 part 2

2010-09-23T00:42:00.001-07:00

Ok, so next stage done, main wheels complete, drive wheels and idler to finish. main body shape ready for fixtures and fittings.

The holes for the hatches are now in place as are the main panels ready to start adding the detail, periscopes and hatch detail. The hatches will be separate metal castings along with the weaponry. I am hoping to get two variants done, a basic M113A1 and an ACAV version, perhaps with additional floatation devices on the bow brake which will again be a separate metal casting as will the side skirts.

Stay tuned for part 3, the detail bits then the tracks. I am still not too sure how I am going to do the tracks but I am sure I will sort something out.

M113 for Vietnam Part 1

2010-09-20T14:52:00.001-07:00

I decided it was time to make some transport for the US in Vietnam, so the M113 project began.

Here are some photos of the start of the project showing how I built up the hull shape with plasticard, the photo above shows the basic model with Parkfield figure to indicate the size of the model. The actual vehicle is not actually very tall, the top of the hull is 6ft from the ground, so not a bad fit if I say so myself.

I plan to make the hull in resin with the wheel assemblies and accessories in metal. The wheels are plastic rod cut down, the next stage is to fill the hollows with magic sculpt and impress the detail using a die I have made from magic sculpt. The next stage, if it works, will show the wheel detail done.

The model was designed to a scale of 1/55, a reasonable size to fit in with 28mm figures, the body is resting on the basic wheel assemblies at present to get some idea of how they will look together.

New 28mm Vietnam figures

2010-09-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

Kit Carson scouts in a variety of dress with a variety of weapons

Prone US M 60 crew

Beowolf for Black Pyramid Miniatures

2010-05-23T02:02:00.001-07:00

Dog and handler for Vietnam WIP

2010-05-11T00:27:00.001-07:00

new Vietnam bits, VC and US infantry

2010-05-07T00:25:00.000-07:00

More 28mm VC for Vietnam

2010-04-11T00:56:00.000-07:00

The next batch are now underway. My intention is to produce, at least to start with, enough figures to create a squad each for the US and VC forces. I am aiming at 9 figures of each then a few variants before moving onto, maybe, ARVN and VC Main Force figures.

Above is a kneeling VC firing an SKS rifle, hat still needed. Of course, the VC figures will be easier to alter just by changing the headgear to a non la-a conical rice straw hat.
Above is a VC squad leader and RPD gunner with, below, a view of the three figures I have got farthest with so far. I am working on a few more US infantry figures to include a squad leader, grunt with M-79 grenade launcher and one with M-60.

Parkfield Miniatures Vietnam comparisons

2010-04-03T05:28:00.000-07:00

The centre figure is from the new Parkfield Miniatures 28mm range of figures with, on the left. a FoA figure and on the right, a figure from TAG

More Vietnam stuff

2010-03-01T01:56:00.000-08:00

latest for Vietnam-US RTO

2010-02-18T01:42:00.000-08:00

The first US soldier rolls off the workbench, a RTO crouching holding handset to his ear.

28mm (1/60 scale) Vietnam

2010-02-01T14:08:00.001-08:00

I decided it was time for something new, so for some reason I plumped for the Vietnam War. The American figures will be 27/28mm to eye level with the Vietnamese measuring around 25/26mm to eye level.

This all sounds a little complicated but I wanted the Vietnamese to be slightly shorter than the Americans to reflect their slightly shorter stature. This meant that I would be working to a scale of 1/60 allowing me to make scale weapons.

These are the first two VC figures, one with SKS rifle and one with an AK47. They are both passive but I will be moving on to some more dynamic poses, I wanted something to start on to gat the clothing and equipment sorted in my own mind

The two figures were built up from wire armatures, something else I wanted to do to get a little more variety in the stances although I will also be working from dollies I created whilst doing the first few weapons.

PULLING FACES

2010-01-29T11:20:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to do this for a while now, a series of posts showing how I sculpt figures. this first is to show how I shape faces and I must stress this is the way I do it, it is in no way the only method, so go and experiment.

This is a series of photos taken during a session to put a face on a model. As you can see, to begin with I had a stump that would be the neck onto which I placed an appropriately sized blob of putty. In my case I tend to prefer Pro Create for most of my modelling.

This blob is basically shaped between finger and thumb to see where the nose will be.
Next I push the putty around to create a basic nose and pus in slits where the eyes will be.

The next stage involves starting to shape the nose and smooth off the face to get the right shape. All faces are not the same so just getting the basic shape will do at this stage. It is important to keep your tools wet so they don't stick to the putty. As you can see the final shape is not important at this stage, but it is the beginning of placing everything where it should be.

Next i trim off any excess around the chin and neck area, now it is starting to take some shape.

More smoothing and shaping of the features to get them looking right and approximately the right size and shape.
Next, a modelling tool is gently pushed up from the chin towards the nose to create the lower lip and then a slit is cut above this to form the mouth.
More smoothing and then taking a scalpel I cut and push to create basic eye shapes. these will be manipulated by sculpting tools to the right shape and size, smoothing everything as I go.

Now all that remains is some final smoothing and gentle shaping, pushing in the cheeks and finalising the finished shape of the face.

I don't really like the figures blown up so much in photos, the faces are only 4mm high in reality.

New Age of Arthur and more

2010-01-20T12:39:00.001-08:00

I have just about done a few archers for both the British and the Picts, as you can see, the figures are 28mm tall and more in proportion than my previous figures.
The four archers in a row, just gone for a bit of variety in the poses so that I can alter the masters after the first castings with cloaks, hoods or helmets. Also along with these four will be some Pict Noble warriors with spear and shield, cavalry will follow along with more command types and maybe a few characters.

Now for something completely different, a few weapons to a scale of approximately 1/60 for a new range of figures for the Vietnam War I am going to be working on. the dollies are made and measure 28mm to eye level so as t omatch up with other available ranges. The weapons are made with a mix of ProCreate and Magic Sculp, both of which I like using and have been known to mix them together to get sharper lines.More news as and when things progress.

Zulus part 3

2009-11-23T12:04:00.000-08:00

The final pieces with separate heads, weapons and shields put together. The figures measure 35mm tall

Commission-35mm Zulus part 2

2009-11-17T13:10:00.001-08:00

Commission-35mm Zulus part 1

2009-11-16T11:11:00.000-08:00

A few shots of the first couple of stages. These figures are a commission and will be approximately 35mm tall when completed with separate heads and weapons.

The figures are a bit roughat the mopment and need tidying up but they show the first few stages of building up from a wire armature.

After posing the wire I started to build from the bottom up trying to get the legs and feet into proportion then worked up the body to the arms and hands. The heads are to be separate so will be modelled separately to give maximum variety.
I find that getting the legs looking right seems to lead onto the rest of the figure with the arms probably being the most difficult to get into proportion.

WWII cafe proprietor for the French resistance

2009-07-16T00:30:00.001-07:00

Some of the painted Picts and Romano-British

2009-07-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

More Viking types

2009-07-05T08:39:00.000-07:00

The last of the Vikings for now, Saxons coming up next

28mm Fantasy Warriors

2009-07-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

A few shots of the finished warriors, completed as a commission. The idea was to have separate weapons with hands cast on, so the figures can be holding a sword or a spear, a shield and have a scabbard either empty or with the sword contained.

The idea was to create figures suitable as men of Laketown, so uniformed militia types, hence the boat on the shield. The figures are 28mm to eye level thus approximately 32mm in height.

For more information as the range progresses please go to http://www.blackpyramid.co.uk/middlekingdom/

28mm Viking Bondi and young warriors

2009-02-22T11:24:00.001-08:00

First 28mm Picts

2009-02-05T14:35:00.001-08:00

28mm Age of Arthur WIP

2009-01-23T12:39:00.001-08:00

Romano-British warriors

A Pict Chieftain on the left

Four of the new batch

These figures are all based on a measurement of 28mm from the soles of the feet to the top of the head.

More 28mm viking types

2009-01-07T01:02:00.001-08:00

28mm Roman staff slinger

2008-12-10T00:54:00.001-08:00

28mm Vikings

2008-12-10T00:50:00.001-08:00

I have recently been doing a couple of Vikings as a commission and thought I'd put up a few photos of the progress.

Romano-British Warriors

2008-10-29T02:14:00.000-07:00

I have now started using some new dollies I made, this time they are 28mm in height and more in proportion. I decided this was the way to go as having read the many comments on the web regarding proportional figures I realised that many figures are not in proportion. Shields and weapons are separate.

Therefore I am showing you some new figures which will eventually become a small range of figures for the Arthurian period, or if you prefer, the Dark Ages just after Rome decided to leave the isles to their own devices.

Any comments would be welcome especially as to what figures to make other than the standard types I have in mind.

These figures are soon to be added to the Parkfield Miniatures catalogue.

28mm Romano-British project

2008-10-01T00:25:00.000-07:00

I have now started on my 28mm Arthurian figures, the first being a Romano-British warrior for Parkfield Miniatures. I have tried to create a dolly that is more proportional to see how things go.

New 20mm sculpts

2008-08-26T01:59:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd add a few pictures of my latest 20mm WWII sculpts, namely a British 2" mortar team moving and firing.

BLACKSHIRT-GENTLEMAN CROOK

2008-06-17T00:31:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd have a go at some Pulp type characters, the first one is Blackshirt, a gentleman crook of some renown who was a good one to model as I didn't have to do the face!

FRENCH RESISTANCE RADIO OPERATOR

2008-06-17T00:29:00.000-07:00

20mm vehicle crews

2008-06-02T00:54:00.001-07:00

LRDG jeep crew for Sgt's Mess

French Resistance work in progress

2008-06-02T00:51:00.000-07:00

Radio operator (wip) will have suit case radio
Resistance man standing, holding sten gun

latest sculpting

2008-05-27T02:54:00.001-07:00

I wanted to try something different yet again and decided to have a go at a French resistance fighteer with sten. He stands 30mm tall and is almost finished.

Female alien hunter finished

2008-05-06T00:43:00.000-07:00

28mm alien hunters almost finished

2008-05-01T02:24:00.000-07:00

20mm WWII

2008-04-30T00:40:00.000-07:00

A wip of a Para jeep crew, one of two figures to fit jeeps made by Sergeants Mess

Here is a Para standing holding a mug of tea, or something stronger.

Recent 28mm Sculpts in progress

2008-04-30T00:35:00.000-07:00

My most recent are a pair of alien hunters, the first being male, the second is a female assistant, photos to follow.