Athanasios Diakos - Prepwork I

First of all. . . ευτυχισμένο το νέο έτος (Happy New Year!)

While the reduction phase of the prep is well underway--and will continue for some time, I began working on the face yesterday evening. 

As I mentioned in the introduction to this thread, the sculpted visage leaves much to be desired. I am basing my assessment on the postmortem portrait executed by Dionysios Tsokos during the last decade of his life (1852-62). There are also at least three busts commemorating Diakos that bear little-to-no resemblance to the miniature before us. 

So what are the issues? The main ones are 1) beady eyes; 2) weak chin; 3) button-y nose; and 4) lank hair. If you elect to correct those shortcomings, the remainder will be corrected via the integrating process. 

I have already addressed the chin and the nose; filled out the cheeks; and enhanced the upper lip (removed the sculpted mustache). The difference is remarkable!

Finally, I have already removed the right forearm at the elbow; removed the kariophili (musket) from the right hand; and removed about half of the left forearm--saving the kilij/pala that will be placed in the right hand with the requisite corrections to the grip (kabza) of the weapon. 

FOLLOW-UP. . . Mustache has been resculpted.

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003