Vasa - 1:65 DeAgostini [COMPLETED BUILD]

dockattner said:
Thanks, Chris! I read in your log that you were going to include some figures in your diorama. Looking forward to seeing how your build progresses! Neat idea.
Click to expand...
Houston we have a problem! So I was worried that 1/72 scale figures would look a bit small on a 1/64 scale ship. Looks like all the figures were modeled on giants. Turns out the height of the Quarter deck over the main deck works out to just over 4 feet??? I know the space was tight but this just seems wrong. My figures would be just over 5 feet tall, which seems about right. The bookcase seems right though.
EBD259CD-19BE-44FA-BBBC-E4F17F0DCECD.jpeg
Then I realized I was missing the deck support beams. With the base removed from the figures they should look ok.
image.jpg
I think I need to rethink my doors. Oops :eek: :rolleyes:
 
dockattner said:
After my work on the rudder I returned to the painting party hoping some of you would have arrived with your collection of tiny paint brushes. Alas, no one showed up...

Rather than posting the completion of each grouping I spared your inbox and will simply post this week's work (maybe it's been longer) in a single post. Here we go...

These little guys will appear next on the stern of the ship (the one with the harp is the center figure):

View attachment 211760

I have no idea where these little guys go (worth noting is that some of the castings are worse than others - I elected to simply use what was provided rather than turning my workshop in a kit factory):

View attachment 211761

There merry fellows will be displayed on the aft galleries:

View attachment 211763

And this lonely figure will be on the stern flanked by doves (pigeons?). As you can see, he is not a fan of birds:

View attachment 211762

These complex pieces (they are shaped like the letter V which is not captured well in the photo) festoon the turrets that top the aft galleries:

View attachment 211764

Again, I'm not certain where this tiny crown goes:

View attachment 211765

This is the Swedish swim team (again, on the aft galleries):

View attachment 211766

And these holiday-ready tree-looking things flank the swim team:

View attachment 211767

And the final two images form two sets of four each - and they are also a part of the gallery decorations:

View attachment 211768

View attachment 211769

If you are not all that impressed with my painting skills I understand and completely agree. But painting these TINY figures is actually quite enjoyable. I will return to actual ship building eventually. But I still have some level of enthusiasm for this art project, so I think I will keep at it for a while.

If you are keeping score at home (of course you are!) I have painted exactly 301 individual pieces to date. Hundreds remain, so if you are contemplating a Vasa build in this style one day you better start finding suppliers of micro-brushes. And begin weaning yourself off the caffeine.

I appreciate how you continue to take the time away from your own builds to keep watch on my progress. I am grateful for your encouragement.
Click to expand...
 
Paul, your painting looks wonderful. Just curious...how do you get the shading in a color on your miniatures? I'm wondering how when I get to painting the stern decoration on my Vanguard.
 
ADoyon said:
Paul, your painting looks wonderful. Just curious...how do you get the shading in a color on your miniatures? I'm wondering how when I get to painting the stern decoration on my Vanguard.
Click to expand...
Hi Andre. I am reluctant to make a claim for knowing how to do something I am only now learning but since you asked here is the approach I am using. As I understand it really skilled miniature painters will shade using full strength paints and layer colors to create highlights and shadows (and I do try to do this if the piece I am working on is large enough). But in most cases I have chosen, instead, to use "washes" and "dry-brushing." A wash is a watered down paint that you 'float' into the recesses. If the base color is blue I'll create a wash with a darker blue and place that darker blue into the spots I want to shade - the really watery paint will travel in the direction of your brush so wherever you want it to be darker you pull the paint into that place with the brush tip. Dry-brushing works best to add highlights - and especially if the casting has pronounced contours. You put just a tiny bit of full-strength paint on a stiff paint brush - wipe off the excess on a paper towel, and then with a flicking back and forth motion add some highlights. The smaller the scale the less effective these techniques are (and as a result I have not been doing much dry-brushing). There are lots of tutorials on the internet. Just search for "how to use a wash (or dry-brushing) when painting miniatures" or something similar. Good luck!
 
dockattner said:
Hi Andre. I am reluctant to make a claim for knowing how to do something I am only now learning but since you asked here is the approach I am using. As I understand it really skilled miniature painters will shade using full strength paints and layer colors to create highlights and shadows (and I do try to do this if the piece I am working on is large enough). But in most cases I have chosen, instead, to use "washes" and "dry-brushing." A wash is a watered down paint that you 'float' into the recesses. If the base color is blue I'll create a wash with a darker blue and place that darker blue into the spots I want to shade - the really watery paint will travel in the direction of your brush so wherever you want it to be darker you pull the paint into that place with the brush tip. Dry-brushing works best to add highlights - and especially if the casting has pronounced contours. You put just a tiny bit of full-strength paint on a stiff paint brush - wipe off the excess on a paper towel, and then with a flicking back and forth motion add some highlights. The smaller the scale the less effective these techniques are (and as a result I have not been doing much dry-brushing). There are lots of tutorials on the internet. Just search for "how to use a wash (or dry-brushing) when painting miniatures" or something similar. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Hi Paul. Thanks very much for the information and for the tip with tutorials on the internet. I have a way to go before doing the actual painting but will experiment in the meantime. Currently working on planking the upper gun deck. Hope to post some photos soon. Andre
 
dockattner said:
Just looking at that picture is mind-numbing. Worse is knowing that someone had to paint all those decorations. Worst of all is knowing that the painter needs to be ME! Good thing I enjoy the process!
Click to expand...
And you will have to locate and glue each one of them in place! But I am sure you will enjoy the challenge, and the process.
 
Kkonrath said:
Well the circus may not be in town, but looks like the clowns and such are on the ship!

Way too much fancy ornamentation to look good, but I guess it was to show it was for the people not the king.
Click to expand...
Been following your log dock and you’re doing a great job.
Re. shading I paint over the figure with artist oil colour Raw Umber then wipe it off. I’ve never done it on coloured figures but works great on brass or gold painted parts as well on the hull to bring out the seams in the planks.
Keep it up. Enjoy your log.
Bill
 
Billkent said:
Been following your log dock and you’re doing a great job.
Re. shading I paint over the figure with artist oil colour Raw Umber then wipe it off. I’ve never done it on coloured figures but works great on brass or gold painted parts as well on the hull to bring out the seams in the planks.
Keep it up. Enjoy your log.
Bill
Click to expand...
Great tip, Bill. Thanks for sharing it! I do have some gilded pieces to shade - I'll give it a try.
 
Hello Friends!

It's been a while since I posted anything to this log. Hobby time has been hard to come by recently - and some of the pieces I have been painting of late are a little more involved so that has slowed my pace from snail-like to glacial. Plus, setting up the wet-palate for a short work session just doesn't make sense so I have only been working when I have a few hours to commit to painting.

Anyway, for your viewing pleasure I submit the following parade of tiny figures - some of which might be NSFW so use good judgement!

First, 32 spindly looking things...

IMG_6137.JPG

Here is a representative sampling:

IMG_6143 (2).JPG

Next, kings of the realm:

IMG_6151 (2).JPG

And their queens:

IMG_6149 (2).JPG

And various members of the kings' harem - two of which are dudes because that's how these kings roll...
How's that for politically correct? If only you knew how conservative I was... Redface

IMG_6157 (2).JPG

And finally, introducing a nautical theme...

IMG_6162 (2).JPG

If you are wondering what happened to the faces of the mer-men...they are looking up trying to catch a glimpse of the members of the royal court while unaware of the beauty that lies below them...

IMG_6164 (2).JPG

I'm beginning to feel the urge to return to cutting sticks of wood with a #11 blade - either that, or I might spend some time building the aft galleries - these will intersect the wales and perhaps having them ready will be helpful when I start laying those in.

As always, thank you for stopping by to visit my build-log. I have enjoyed seeing the progress many of you are making with your respective builds. I appreciate your individual talents and look forward to stealing all your best techniques!

Onward!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top