[Re-]Sculpture--Richthofen Bust

[Augie]

The all-but-done (90%) head with the head dressings in situ. Note that the dressing is a removable item that will not be permanently attached until both items--dressing and head--are fully painted.

You can also clearly see the modelled "undercollar" in the two profile images.

Augie

[MicroSculpt]

Augie:

I have been watching your sculpts with great interest. I'm glad to see them posted in the "art" forum since I think the ability to capture a likeness in a miniature 3-D scale requires the same skill as painting a portrait or sculpting a full size bust. Probably more so, because of the minute scale.

I have found MVR to be a very elusive likeness to capture. I have tried several times myself. The baron has a unique combination of features that can look quite different in some photographs. There is a skeletal quality to his face with the high cheek bones. Yet, he has a broad jaw and fleshy cheeks. And then there is that nose! It looks small and chiseled in some views and rather large in others. I find the challenge is getting the face to look right in all views. But that's the fun of it, right?

I wouldn't be too hard on Mike Good. He is a very competent sculptor. His rendition of MVR is not a bad likeness and probably one of most accurate out there. Today's market is much more critical. It was state-of-the-art when it came out.

Which makes me wonder how many figures of MVR there have been? One of the earliest ones (and still it holds up very well) was the 54mm figure by Cameo Personalties during the 1960s. Incredibly well detailed and a good likeness. Then there are the figures by Pegaso and Andreas both in 54mm. I believe Ulrich Puchala had a figure in 120mm. And of course the recent Eduard 1/16 figure in plastic. And yes, there is an action figure of him (but let's not go there). Anybody remember any others?

Anyhow, I've enjoyed watching your progress on MVR and Udet. And I look forward to seeing more.

Cheers!

Tom

[Augie]

Hi Tom,

I would agree: the best overall commercial likeness to date is the old 54mm Cameo portrait figure.

The Eduard figure is one that IMO has not received enough attention--or due credit. All the basics are there: it just needs to be tweaked here and there with a bit of putty to get you "home". It's a shame they did not decide to cast the head in resin, as I have a feeling the master is just about spot-on. Given the price, medium, etc., it is also the one that lends itself readily to the modeller's creative touch: I have already reworked the hat and repositioned the head; am in the process of resculpting the latter; ground-down the boots to accommodate leggings; and removed the Geschwaderstock (weakest aspect of the kit) so as to replace it.

The problem with MvR--indeed any portrait sculpture--is arriving at a plausible synthesis of the available references, graphic and textual. The underlying skeletal structure is thankfully readily evident and constant: the cheekbones, the strong jaw, the angular nose. Melding the hard features with a convincing layer of soft unifying flesh is where it gets to be "fun". As I indicated, there is a wide divergence between the studio shots and the casual, "in the field" shots; and the temporal setting needs to be considered--you well know how quickly most of these men aged before the lens of the camera!

Finally, the bane of our endeavor: reducing the likeness to a recognizable miniature without resorting to caricature. All portraiture is a composite of defining features, but IMO there has to be something more. In short, what I strive for is the "complete" picture, as opposed to relying on the viewer to jump to the conclusion of who the subject represents by virtue of preconceived, instilled notions and/or how the subject is "packaged". The larger the scale, the more the sculptor can work in the realm of reality; conversely, the smaller the scale, the more one has to exaggerate the "key" features that trigger recognition. As you so rightfully pointed out, it's an artform all to itself.

As to commercial figures, I believe you've covered them all save for the late Jim Payette's 120mm rendition for Model Cellar. I remember fondly having some rather spirited discussions with Jim when he was sculpting this piece. Good times. . .

Not to get into a sidebar discussion re: the marketplace, but I respectfully disagree. All we have to do is look at the recent releases of this subject to underscore that the market is less concerned with what lies inside the box, than the title, the manufacturer's logo, and the boxart. . .

Good chatting with you!

Augie