"Under the Kilt" - John Brown

John Brown has served in every major

military campaign in recent history,

from India to South Africa to China

and the Second Opium War.

It was in this last were he was 

captured, imprisoned, and tortured

until released by the automaton

hordes that ultimately won the war.

He is the consummate soldier,

possessed of an iron will and

steely resolve

The World of Smog: Rise of Moloch

Welcome back gentles all to The Art of Caesura!

Continuing our look at the Gentlemen of The World of Smog, this week we have John Brown - the Scottish double-amputee general. 

When I set out to paint this model, I vowed to myself that I really wanted to try my (free) hand at painting tartan (I mean, how often do you get to do that). I could have copped out and painted the kilt and sash a solid colour, but where's the challenge in that!?

So I looked at loads of photos for inspiration:

I do not own this image...

And really wanted to incorporate one awesome picture from a book I got in Reykjavik this past year:  

...or this one...

...or this one. 

As a side note, I would actually love to make a conversion of the Highlander Battlesuit with "built-in automatic bagpipes" above - I'm thinking GW Grey Knight parts maybe mixed with some Ad Mech and Green Stuff. Don't know how where I'd get another bagpipes though...

Anyway, although I wanted to have a "two tone" kilt like those shown above, when I actually got down to it, it was actually quite tricky, and I had to temper my aspirations a bit.

I'm still happy with how it turned out - subtle but present. 

I painted the flames coming off his sword an unheimlich green, to tie in with Sir Daniel Home from last week and to keep his palette limited. The green tones are contrasted by his red beard (with flecks of grey) which helps draw the eye to his face. I spent ages trying to make his eyes look less starry but unfortunately you can barely see them under his brow of prodigious proportions. 

I gave his bagpipes a nice little gloss varnish and made his base in a similar manner to Master Fox's. I wanted to see what it looked like without adding the sand (because I felt I lost a bit of detail by adding the sand last time) but after comparing the two, I felt Master Fox's base looked more complete so I went back and redid John Brown's. 

(Pre-sand on the left, redone on the right) 

Well, flick on some Scotland the Brave, let me know what you think of John Brown and we'll see you back here next week on The Art of Caesura. 

Listening: The White Album - Wheezer

Watching: Sing (2016)

Reading: Journals for work

Next Week:

A Victorian doppelganger...