The mabisashi/uchimabisashi (brow plate) unit has been roughed-out and fitted. Hopefully, I will have it over 60% finished by the end of the weekend.
Save for the shikoro, all the elements of this sculpture are now underway and in varying degrees of progress.
30 April 2010
27 April 2010
MAEDA Toshinaga [1/8] - (II): Portraiture
I've spent the last few days tweaking the "catfish tail", and I am just about to that all-but-done stage. Granted, glazing, final sanding, and polishing still await, but the days of dust clouds lingering over the studio are over. . .
And now for the face. As some of you might have read in EPH, I was undecided whether to depict him in his early 20s or late 30's. I have opted for the latter, if only to keep with the prevailing Sekigahara sub-theme present throughout my Ft. Duq releases.
It would appear that Toshinaga, unlike his father, was portly--whether this was due to the [relatively] "easier" life afforded the son of a self-made man--or not, I am not able to say with any degree of certainty. In any event, the face has been "fleshed-out" considerably and is now about 70% done.
Moving right along. . .
FOLLOW-UP--29.04.10The putty work on the face is now done, and I have begun the finishing and texturing. I AM DELIGHTED!!! I'll try to post some abd ip images before the end of the weekend. . .
And now for the face. As some of you might have read in EPH, I was undecided whether to depict him in his early 20s or late 30's. I have opted for the latter, if only to keep with the prevailing Sekigahara sub-theme present throughout my Ft. Duq releases.
It would appear that Toshinaga, unlike his father, was portly--whether this was due to the [relatively] "easier" life afforded the son of a self-made man--or not, I am not able to say with any degree of certainty. In any event, the face has been "fleshed-out" considerably and is now about 70% done.
Moving right along. . .
FOLLOW-UP--29.04.10The putty work on the face is now done, and I have begun the finishing and texturing. I AM DELIGHTED!!! I'll try to post some abd ip images before the end of the weekend. . .
24 April 2010
MAEDA Toshinaga [1/8] - (I)
By way of recap, and as a bridge to the thread begun here, the subject of my next 1/8 scale daimyō bust will be MAEDA Toshinaga. I will be using the bust of his father I sculpted in 1998 as the core sculpt around which I create the son; but whereas Toshiie is associated with a gold-leafed, angular namazubi nari no kabuto, Toshinaga will be depicted wearing his trademark silver-leafed namazubi nari no kabuto--all 127 cm of it(!!!). . . scaled to 1/8th of course.
Those of you who know me know that I have a penchant for tall kawari kabuto. Perhaps it's because so few, if any, people truly depict them in all their extravagant glory. And yes, I believe one can safely claim a silver-leafed crest in the stylized shape of a catfish tail over 4 ft. long as extravagant!
The crest is built around a 6in. piece of sheet brass. I am not sure what the original is made from, but I suspect it is wood: most of the extravagantly-sized, two-dimensional crests, regardless of their positioning, were made of laminated wood.
As of this writing, I project the bust to be comprised of 4 pieces: head/kabuto, torso, shikoro, and mabisashi/uchimabisashi (brow plate). As always when at these early stages, subject to change.
Before closing, a nod of gratitude to Prof. Stephen Turnbull for graciously providing the core reference images.
To be continued. . .
Those of you who know me know that I have a penchant for tall kawari kabuto. Perhaps it's because so few, if any, people truly depict them in all their extravagant glory. And yes, I believe one can safely claim a silver-leafed crest in the stylized shape of a catfish tail over 4 ft. long as extravagant!
The crest is built around a 6in. piece of sheet brass. I am not sure what the original is made from, but I suspect it is wood: most of the extravagantly-sized, two-dimensional crests, regardless of their positioning, were made of laminated wood.
As of this writing, I project the bust to be comprised of 4 pieces: head/kabuto, torso, shikoro, and mabisashi/uchimabisashi (brow plate). As always when at these early stages, subject to change.
Before closing, a nod of gratitude to Prof. Stephen Turnbull for graciously providing the core reference images.
To be continued. . .
18 April 2010
HONDA Tadakatsu [1/4-1/3]
As a tie-in to last year’s Art of the Samurai exhibition, the MMA offered a miniature of HONDA Tadakatsu's antlered kabuto (三つ椏鹿角兜). Initially, I believed this to be the Met’s latest entry in its 1/8th scale helmet series. Not so. . . This "miniature" is 1/4 - 1/3 scale(!!!). Imposing does not quite describe it. It is done fairly well, though admittedly somewhat light on detail, especially at first glance. Be that as it may, is it ever an eye-catcher! And with a moderate-to-fair amount of work, it can be a proverbial show-stopper.
My first step was to remove the sturdy ball-and-socket/pivoting stand. I then attempted to remove the maedate, and succeeded in doing so without mishap. This allowed me to proceed with the hollowing-out of the hachi.
So what have I learned to date? The kabuto is cast in a lightly-filled polyester resin: this is a less- saturated, less dense cold-cast porcelain. The kabuto is cast in four pieces: the hachi, the two wakidate and the maedate. The level of finishing is very high: the kabuto appears to be cast in one piece! As much as I would like to be able to remove the wakidate, there is really no compel- ling reason for me to do so, and any attempt could result in seriously damaging the hachi.
(click to enlarge)
I would point out that the "raw" surface in the second image was the former attachment point of the maedate. This will obviously be restored with the attendant L-shaped bracket/s that will allow for the maedate to be mounted (and removed!) as on the actual helmet.
More to follow. . .
My first step was to remove the sturdy ball-and-socket/pivoting stand. I then attempted to remove the maedate, and succeeded in doing so without mishap. This allowed me to proceed with the hollowing-out of the hachi.
So what have I learned to date? The kabuto is cast in a lightly-filled polyester resin: this is a less- saturated, less dense cold-cast porcelain. The kabuto is cast in four pieces: the hachi, the two wakidate and the maedate. The level of finishing is very high: the kabuto appears to be cast in one piece! As much as I would like to be able to remove the wakidate, there is really no compel- ling reason for me to do so, and any attempt could result in seriously damaging the hachi.
(click to enlarge)
I would point out that the "raw" surface in the second image was the former attachment point of the maedate. This will obviously be restored with the attendant L-shaped bracket/s that will allow for the maedate to be mounted (and removed!) as on the actual helmet.
More to follow. . .
RIP--Richard Hook (1938-2010)
In a recent exchange with Stephen Turnbull, I learned of the recent passing of one of the Dons of historical illustration.
For an excellent overview of Mr. Hook's life and career, I can do no better than direct you to Martin Windrow's remembrance. As for me, he opened my eyes to the possibilities of modeling Feudal Japan in miniature in his first Osprey commission, Samurai Armies 1550-1615 (MAA86; Osprey, 1979)--thirty years later, his vibrant and evocative work in this field has not lost an iota of its 'power', and as I mentioned to Prof. Turnbull, I believe his work in Hatamoto is amongst his best.
A devoted student of Native American history, his contributions in this field are perhaps for what he will best be remembered--and rightfully so. However, for this admirer, artist, and historian, the vacancy left by his passing for the pre-eminent illustrator of feudal Japanese military subjects will not soon be filled.
Belated and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
AJR
For an excellent overview of Mr. Hook's life and career, I can do no better than direct you to Martin Windrow's remembrance. As for me, he opened my eyes to the possibilities of modeling Feudal Japan in miniature in his first Osprey commission, Samurai Armies 1550-1615 (MAA86; Osprey, 1979)--thirty years later, his vibrant and evocative work in this field has not lost an iota of its 'power', and as I mentioned to Prof. Turnbull, I believe his work in Hatamoto is amongst his best.
A devoted student of Native American history, his contributions in this field are perhaps for what he will best be remembered--and rightfully so. However, for this admirer, artist, and historian, the vacancy left by his passing for the pre-eminent illustrator of feudal Japanese military subjects will not soon be filled.
Belated and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
AJR
04 April 2010
ATLANTA 2011--NEW LOCATION!!!!!
I have just read that the 34th Annual AMFS Show will not only take place on 18-20 February 2011, but at a new location:
Atlanta Marriott Century Center
2000 Century Boulevard NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
USA
Details are still forthcoming, but this is good news indeed! Check back often at: http://www.atlantafigures.com/show.htm for the latest developments.
A~
Atlanta Marriott Century Center
2000 Century Boulevard NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
USA
Details are still forthcoming, but this is good news indeed! Check back often at: http://www.atlantafigures.com/show.htm for the latest developments.
A~
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