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Other Stuff => The Lead Painters' League => Season 5 => Topic started by: Captain Blood on April 09, 2011, 11:50:54 AM

Title: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Captain Blood on April 09, 2011, 11:50:54 AM
?
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Captain Blood on April 10, 2011, 09:40:30 AM
I venture to suggest the draw has here thrown up one of the matches of this LPL so far. I love the paintwork on the Moors. Beautiful tones. And I love the composition, originality, painting and scenery in the harem scene. Both corking entries. Good luck chaps  :)
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Raz on April 10, 2011, 09:43:20 AM
Very difficult to choose. The painting on the first entry is very good, the miniatures look great. The setting of the second one is stunning, those nicely painted miniatures, the great surroundings, hmm... now to choose...
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Silent Invader on April 10, 2011, 09:50:42 AM
They're certainly a nice pair.
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Andym on April 10, 2011, 09:57:09 AM
Well done to both entrants! Fantastic stuff!
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Blackwolf on April 10, 2011, 10:00:39 AM
Lovely stuff :)
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Keith on April 10, 2011, 10:03:25 AM
Both absolutley brilliant - but I really like the risks taken with painting the 'disarmed' entry. The translucency on the woman's trousers is very well done.
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Plynkes on April 10, 2011, 10:21:41 AM
You think? For me it's the only part of that entry that doesn't really work, though everything else about it is fantastic.
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Rob_bresnen on April 10, 2011, 10:26:12 AM
I love both entries. I found it very difficult to choose.

Nice choice of figures in both
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Skratch on April 10, 2011, 10:29:19 AM
The harem girls, are they Hasselfree?
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Heldrak on April 10, 2011, 10:34:40 AM
Fantastic entries, excellent match-up I thoroughly agree!  :-*
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: gamer Mac on April 10, 2011, 11:12:05 AM
Hardest choice this round :o
Two stunning entries :-* :-* :-*
Good luck to both of you.
Now how to choose ???
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Ray Rivers on April 10, 2011, 11:41:43 AM
The harem girls, are they Hasselfree?

Yep
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Mad Doc Morris on April 10, 2011, 12:41:12 PM
Who's bothering with translucent clothing here? ;)
Besides the second entry having the clear "boobs!"-advantage, it is a well thought out diorama and beautifully executed. Especially admire the smoothly painted flesh and different hairtones on the female figs.
The Moors' black clothing is excellent as well, of course. But the scene looks a bit generic compared with the harem scene, sorry.
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Bugsda on April 10, 2011, 02:49:48 PM
Both very well painted but "Disarmed" has that je ne sais quoi   8)
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Ray Rivers on April 10, 2011, 04:11:43 PM
In fact several nice pairs.

Funny... boobs have never influenced folks voting patterns before...  ::)
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Keith on April 10, 2011, 04:14:09 PM
You think? For me it's the only part of that entry that doesn't really work, though everything else about it is fantastic.

Its a brave attempt though IMO
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Alex_Nay on April 10, 2011, 05:15:28 PM
Ups, really difficult vote, this two pictures are terrible amazing, very inspiring and the really esential of this great hobby, thanks for this works mates, im thinking no vote this time!!! i need two votes this time!!!   :'(
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: jamesmanto on April 10, 2011, 05:29:17 PM
both really top drawer entries but the harem scene has some really exquisite brush work.
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Dr Mathias on April 10, 2011, 05:54:44 PM
Thanks for the comments all, very much appreciated!

@Valleyboy- Really nice entry, I love the color combination and the mass of figures. Black fabric is quite a challenge and you handled it beautifully, and wonderful greens as well.

The translucency on the woman's trousers is very well done.
You think? For me it's the only part of that entry that doesn't really work, though everything else about it is fantastic.

I was wondering if you'd be wiling to elaborate Plynkes- do you mean to say that the translucency isn't done well enough (which I will admit is a reasonable assessment- there certainly could have been a softer transition), or rather that the attempt at sheer fabric need not have been attempted at all?

Please forgive me if entering into a dialogue about one's entry is bad form or otherwise unacceptable- I figure now's the time to ask!
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Plynkes on April 10, 2011, 07:12:40 PM
I would never criticise someone for trying something ambitious. You are certainly to be applauded for going for it.

What can I say? The effect just doesn't quite come off for me, that's all. I wouldn't have thought it worth mentioning but for the fact that Keith singled it out for particular praise, which drew my attention to it. I certainly couldn't do any better. I don't have the technical skills to even attempt it, and wouldn't know where to start.
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: dampfpanzerwagon on April 10, 2011, 07:34:21 PM
Both are fantastic - so, so hard to pick a winner.

Very well done to both.

Tony
http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Dr Mathias on April 10, 2011, 08:01:07 PM
Plynkes (and Bezzo), thank you for your comments, I appreciate the specifics you provided. I agree with you guys that there's room for improvement in producing the effect I was looking for, I'm just not sure how to pull it off with African skin yet :)

Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: valleyboy on April 10, 2011, 08:06:06 PM
Thanks for all the kind comments Gents
To date I've been checking my matches on a very regular basis, but with this one I've been too afraid to look as I'm getting such a hding lol
I'm pleased with my Moors, the LPL African theme gave me the excuse to add a unit to my Arab army, I'll pick up another 8 at Saute I think to make them into a 24man decent sized unit.

@ Doc Mathias - it has been a pleasure to be matched on the same page as your entry. Not only is the disarmed idea a clever one, it has been backed up by a background that is excellent and figure painting that is from the top drawer. I doff my hat to you sir and slip quietly away to lick my wounds. Very well done indeed
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Dr Mathias on April 10, 2011, 08:26:21 PM
I am a fan of maritime art and have a book with  a painting of a ship looming out of the mist. In his description of how he acheved this the artist (Chris Mayger) said he painted the fog first and then painted in as much of the ship as he wanted.

That's a great analogy for the technique needed to get the effect I think- although the harem guard might take offense if I liken her thigh to a looming ship  ;)
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: ugsome on April 11, 2011, 06:17:01 AM
Really, really good painting in the first picture, but the second is overall even better.
I think the ladies and Franks lion hunt is the best ones this round.
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Heldrak on April 11, 2011, 07:59:04 AM
I was wondering if you'd be wiling to elaborate Plynkes- do you mean to say that the translucency isn't done well enough (which I will admit is a reasonable assessment- there certainly could have been a softer transition), or rather that the attempt at sheer fabric need not have been attempted at all?

Please forgive me if entering into a dialogue about one's entry is bad form or otherwise unacceptable- I figure now's the time to ask!

I agree with Plynkes about the translucent harem pants. A praise-worthy noble attempt, but problematic in the execution. For me, the issue is that the flesh-colored thigh/hip extends/bleeds too far out to the edge of the pants. A narrower thigh/hip with more fabric on either side might provide a more realistic effect (as it's only the high points of the thigh/hip that are contacting the fabric of the baggy pants and thus showing through). Also, perhaps just a little more lighter over-painting of the thigh area with a very thin amount of the lighter color (for more of a "misty" effect).

All the flesh tones work very well and you have some exquisite detail.

Both top-notch entries with beautiful staging and some excellent details.  :-*
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Andym on April 11, 2011, 08:50:38 AM
Sorry, I'd just like to say that no matter what anybody else thinks,Dr Mathias thats a brilliant piece of painting by any standards. Keep it up!
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: argsilverson on April 11, 2011, 01:17:25 PM
Both are great entries. No more I can say.
OK boobs and see-through pants always attract attention but....

one of the best arab unit I've ever seen. I imagine that the whole Army is also fantastic. I would like some photo,too. (BTW some suitably posed arabs could also work for harem/palace guards, too.

the zouaves are also excellent. Also a nice addition would have been  palace/harem guard making his last effort to stop the brave zouaves before they ....
 
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Argonor on April 11, 2011, 01:56:44 PM
That'll teach him to keep his hand(s) to himself  lol
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Heldrak on April 11, 2011, 04:06:25 PM
Sorry, I'd just like to say that no matter what anybody else thinks,Dr Mathias thats a brilliant piece of painting by any standards. Keep it up!

I don't think that anyone's saying that it's not brilliant...  ;)
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: valleyboy on April 11, 2011, 07:35:43 PM
Both are great entries. No more I can say.
OK boobs and see-through pants always attract attention but....

one of the best arab unit I've ever seen. I imagine that the whole Army is also fantastic. I would like some photo,too. (BTW some suitably posed arabs could also work for harem/palace guards, too.

the zouaves are also excellent. Also a nice addition would have been  palace/harem guard making his last effort to stop the brave zouaves before they ....
 

Thanks, you are very kind -the Arab army is growing, I'll post some pics of it all eventually......

Amazingly it also contains some Blacktree design figures taht eventually arrived 6 months late lol
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Hammers on April 11, 2011, 09:18:21 PM
Hat off, Dr M. The laudable paintjob aside, I very much like the story telling aspect of your presentation.

I am curious about the fretwork windows and the doorway, is it a kit or did you do it yourself?
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Dr Mathias on April 11, 2011, 10:30:57 PM
I am curious about the fretwork windows and the doorway, is it a kit or did you do it yourself?

The window screens and doorway are actually flat print-outs, although they're raised slightly with a bit of card to carry an illusion of dimensionality. I scoured the net for high quality North African architectural elements and settled on those ones, with some customization on the door. I couldn't find anything in resin, plastic, or metal at that scale that I liked. I don't use much printed terrain myself, I try to make most of my stuff from scratch or with Hirst molds.
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Axebreaker on April 14, 2011, 09:37:02 PM
Really two fantastic entries which really makes it hard to choose. :o Those Moors are some of the best I've seen with lovely tones and original colour combinations, but I'd have to give the edge to Dr. Mathias with that awesome background/story impression with painting to match it.  :-* :-*

Christopher
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Anpu on April 15, 2011, 07:47:36 PM
The window screens and doorway are actually flat print-outs, although they're raised slightly with a bit of card to carry an illusion of dimensionality. I scoured the net for high quality North African architectural elements and settled on those ones, with some customization on the door. I couldn't find anything in resin, plastic, or metal at that scale that I liked. I don't use much printed terrain myself, I try to make most of my stuff from scratch or with Hirst molds.

Would you mind sharing said graphics when the round is over?
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Dr Mathias on April 15, 2011, 08:21:13 PM
Would you mind sharing said graphics when the round is over?

No problem, I'll try to find time to organize the images. You may want to send me a PM though, I'm organizing a massive high school art exhibit for the end of April and my meager organizational skills will be taxed to the limit for the next month :)
Title: Re: ROUND5 "Allahu akbar" - arggghh Ambush vs Disarmed in Algeria
Post by: Anpu on April 15, 2011, 08:28:22 PM
Thanks! I will send the PM later then to nag remind you then  :D