discussion Eehaw!!, a Donkey, a Bedouin and a Snake vignette

[rtfoe]

Hi All,

I started on the terracotta urn containers for the mule. Made two from two part putty by first roughly shaping them on a cocktail stick and lathed them with my power drill. Here's what the progress looks like before i do the handles and cover...

The lathing lets you create beveling around the urn. The unique sharp edge bottom of the urn is basically and Aegean style of pottery which I think could have crossed over the Mediterranean. I can see the practicality of it being dug into the sands to sit up right.

I really did this on purpose to have two different designs and shape.

Tested on the mule for scale and fit. This donkey has every reason to bite the Bedouin just look at his extra load.

Then made a slight dip towards the opening. I will then cut the cocktail sticks after I have added the handles and then the covers.

I've done the handles for the urns...rolled putty and teased to shape.

The handles make them look like two ladies with their hands on their hips.

While I smell the smoke and dust from the snails overtaking me I started on the urn covers by slicing some plastic rod and rolling left over putty between my fingers for little ball bearing sized globes.

With the added vessels and covers but minus the Arabian musket.

More later.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Richard48]

Wow great urns Wabble.Thats a great idea for turning items for modelling.I learn so much from so many on here.
Nice work.
Richard

 

[rtfoe]

Wow great urns Wabble.Thats a great idea for turning items for modelling.I learn so much from so many on here.
Nice work.
Richard

Thanks Richard, I don't think it's an original idea but glad to have contributed to your learning. Can't afford a real lathe so I improvised. Better to hold the motor tool in a vise for a steadier platform to work from. I used the edge of the table to steady my grip on the motor tool instead.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[rtfoe]

Hi All, the donkey business continues with the musket test fitted to see how it looked. This is where it was stowed...later I will fasten the loads with tie down rope probably made from fuse wire.

I have tied thread to simulate rope securing the stowage on the donkey and brushed on some grey primer... I have changed the position of the Jezail.

Picked up the airbrush and did a zenithal coat on the figure and mule...better than calling it a donkey.

Second picture shows the figure turned revealing his dagger and vest front. The lighting doesn't show the shadowing of the black well. Still haven't decided what colours to paint his garment. Not many references as most are modern day shots.

After doing so much to these two figures I decided it needed its own vignette and this is where I begin where I left off the last time. New images coming up next.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Jim R]

Those two look really nice Richard. Having the figure turned ties them together.

 

[rtfoe]

Those two look really nice Richard. Having the figure turned ties them together.

Thanks Jim,
Since changing to a new vignette, I have made alterations to the mules legs to pose as if to resit moving forward. Also I have added tassels to the front and back of the harness...
But. Efore that I also readjusted the hind legs to fit the new vignette.
More later...

Cheers,
Wabble
​​​​​​

 

[rtfoe]

Hi All, additions to the Bedouin after I decided that he shouldn't show too much skin. His legs below his tunic was covered with putty erasing all the effort of shaving his legs.
Looks rough now but was reshaped and folds smoothen out...
Laid the figgies out to determine the amount of slope to carve for the vignette base. I wanted them to be walking down a sand dune or Wadi.
Notice that this was before the rear tassels and hind leg arrangement was done. Next will be the building of the vignette base.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Top work Richard. Looks very convincing. Your alterations and aditions have raised it to a new level.

 

[rtfoe]

Top work Richard. Looks very convincing. Your alterations and aditions have raised it to a new level.

Thank you kindly Steve, I hope I can maintain the level to painting and the base.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[rtfoe]

Hi All,
Working on the base obviously starts with a base which I made with 3/4 inch plywood edged with timber bidings.
After sculpting a block of polystyrene using slicing motions with a blade cutter. I covered the surface with a roll of plaster of paris sheeting.
It hardens very quickly so I set it aside before gluing it onto the wood base. I usually cover the sides with thick card.
And cut it following the contours of the surface leaving just a millimeter for the plaster that I was going to coat over the hardened sheeting.
More next...

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[rtfoe]

Hi,
Latest on the base, I have masked the top and sprayed gloss black for the sides and wooden base...


I covered the plaster of paris with a coat of polyfilla and sculpted the ripple effect of wind blown desert over the dunes...

More later...

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Richard48]

Looking great Wabble.Great start on the base.
Richadx

 

[scottie3158]

Richard, the ripples have turned out well.

 

[rtfoe]

Thanks Richard and Scottie,
I find doing desert dunes is quite challenging and nearly similar to doing snow on my Ardennes Dio. Both need clean smooth applications and undisturbed portions if you know what I'm trying to say.
The bigger challenge is showing motion and kicked up sand. Anyway I placed the figures flat to guage the composition...
Also have printed the title.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Richard48]

Reminds me of the work of Glenn Bartolloti who is on Facebook and youtube.He makes nice dioramas and vignettes.Uses lots of handmade buildings etc.Keep it up Wabble.
Richard

 

[rtfoe]

Reminds me of the work of Glenn Bartolloti who is on Facebook and youtube.He makes nice dioramas and vignettes.Uses lots of handmade buildings etc.Keep it up Wabble.
Richard

Funny you'd mention Bartolloti, I was on YouTube yesterday and spotted a Dio I liked being made and it was the same Bartolloti. First time seeing his work and seeing the similarities to what I do too. I had used two part putty extensively on stone walls and ground work for my Watch Out GI Dio in 2017. Then I discovered sculpting on hard foam which fortunately is much cheaper.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

That is really coming together now Wabble. Most excellent.

 

[Richard48]

Yes Magic Sculpt Mr Bartolotti uses is very expensive in U.K.Last time i bought a small tub it was getting on for 20 pounds.I notice he uses the 1 pound weight tubs which im guessing would work out at 40 to 50 pounds U..k.Milliput is much cheaper and for the cost of a small tub of Magic Sculpt i can buy 5 packs of Milliput original.

 

[rtfoe]

That is really coming together now Wabble. Most excellent.

Thank you Steve, I get sweaty palms just thinking of doing the kicked up desert sand. The impressions on the dunes would be soft I presume.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[rtfoe]

Yes it is expensive but I still have a large amount left in my two small 8oz tubs since buying it in 2017. The idea is to mix pea sized amounts and work in stages to save wastage. Magic Sculpt is much nicer to work with and has a longer shelf life as most of my Milliput has hardened. I use an equivalent local brand called Bondite for larger areas or as fillers and its cheaper than Milliput at less than half the cost.

Cheers,
Wabble