NCO Ardennes 1944

Here are a few pics of the finished bust. It was a fun project and one I certainly had alot of interest in doing. I'll have this piece in my Gettysburg display August 7-9. Thanks!

Matt

More Progress...

Here is one of my current projects with some more done. This piece is shaping up now. It has a looseness of form that I really like and I think suits the mood of the piece.

Big News

Hello, everyone. Having lived in Atlanta and worked in the residential homebuilding business for the last 11 years, I've accepted a new job in another industry in Asheville , NC in the beautiful smokey mountains. I'll be working with a division of the Partnership for a Drug Free North Carolina as a case manager. It's a great opportunity to help people who really need it and use and develop my education in psychology. This is a great opportunity for me professionally, but I'll miss my family and friends in Atlanta. The good news is that we'll only be a little over 3 hours drive from Atlanta so we'll be back often.

On the hobby related side, I find the mountains to be very inspiring so expect some new work soon. Because of the great art scene in Asheville, I hope to further develop my sculpting to include life size busts. I'll be looking for a house in Asheville with enough space for larger sculpture and materials. I still plan to make it to as many Atlanta club meetings as I can and our annual show as well as the Chicago Show in October.

So, if anyone's in the market for a house in Atlanta, let me know and I can set you up with ours ;-)

Ardennes Bust

More progress. Nearing completion on this one. Small details and more weathering to do. Of course, I have to add the obligitory ciggie hanging from his lower lip. I like how the textures are coming out on this one. Thanks for the opportunity to paint him, John!

More Progress

Coming along now on the GI bust. This is a fun one to paint. Very crisp details make things alot easier. What's not easy is coming up with variations and mixes for OD. I want each OD garment, strap, etc to be alittle different to break it up a little and be a little less monochromatic. I've also been playing around with adding unrelated tones into the mix for effects in the shadows. The jacket, for example has some purple tones in it if you can see that in the pics. Thanks for looking...

Ardennes Bust Update 7/12

Moving full time into getting this one painted for the APG Show in Gettysburg next month. The face was/is an experiment in just about every tone in my palette applied in light glazes to build up a worn and beaten look. At the same time I wanted to show his strength of spirit so I painted his eyes a bright sparkling blue. I hope that comes across. I have a huge amount of respect for what our guys went through in the Winter of 44. Starting the jacket tonight....

Ardennes 1944

Here is my slightly modified Young Miniatures bust I'm doing for delivery at the Gettysburg Show. It has had his face resculpted and I also added texture to the coat to help simulate the heavy wool. The original was too smooth. I created the texture by stippling on some liquid magic sculpt with a stiff brush. This was allowed to dry and the process repeated to build up the right amount of texture. Also experimenting on the flesh tones with some blues and greens worked in. I want this guy to look like he's been through hell as the real guys were.

More to come soon.....

More work...

Here is another update. Close to refining. Still some asymmetry issues and the forehead needs more volume too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Another Update..

More volume definition. Getting there...