JackG Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 I had planned a ww2 vehicle subject for this one, but when I came across this wartime photo, my brain began to wonder how this could come to life here in this GB. No information exists on her, an 'unknown soldier' if you will. Rank style on the collar indicates a 1942 or earlier time frame. Below is a colourized version: I've settled on a generic resin bust from Nocturna models. Will have to sculpt the uniform and hat, and for the hair have ordered some viscose, a material used as hair in the doll making hobby/industry. I will try fixing the face a bit, though doubt will achieve a 100% likeness. Below Have already chopped the jaw off in order to close her mouth and shorten her face slightly. I know, it looks more like something from a zombie movie, but should get better... regards, Jack 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 What a great and unusual subject Jack,I'll follow this with interest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorfinn Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 (edited) Brilliant project! Really looking forward to seeing how this one develops. [<---balalaika music] Edited July 2, 2017 by thorfinn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 This looks like an intriguing project, and I'll watch watch with interest. hmm, If I was going to go there, I wouldn't have started from here ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 Great topic for a build Jack I am curious to see how you make her hair. Cheers, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted July 5, 2017 Author Share Posted July 5, 2017 Hello Steve, thorfinn, Robert and Peter - thank you all for the interest in this one. This one is definitely a learning experience for me. I have a little experience with sculpting (most recently being the Red Sonja figure), but the hair product will be totally new to me, and along with it how to fashion loop braids. regards, Jack 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorfinn Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 Jack- I did much admire your Red Sonja via the 'other site' GB, so this should be a real treat. Can't offer much advice, as I'm in the same (rather leakier) boat---a little sculpting in general, and not much more than resculpting of hair---so I'm particularly intrigued by your choice for material, and hope to pick up a few pointers. No pressure 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Would you be able to adapt this technique for her plats? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted July 7, 2017 Author Share Posted July 7, 2017 Hi Robert, thank you for posting that tutorial. Yes, definitely will be rolling some putty to sculpt the uniform and hat. For her braids, I would need to do round lengths of putty instead of flat sections. The advantage here is the fingers can take a break without worrying the braids will untwine. I will try the viscose fiber first and see how it goes. Been watching some youtube vids on dutch braiding, and yeah it's a bit more complicated than tying one's shoelaces. It involves three sections of hair being intertwined with the middle one, and as you work your way towards the back, keep adding more sections of hair: regards, Jack 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 On 03/07/2017 at 00:00, stevej60 said: What a great and unusual subject Jack,I'll follow this with interest. Me too. John 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davek72 Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 I don't think I have ever seen a build like this. Am following with great interest. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted August 13, 2017 Author Share Posted August 13, 2017 (edited) Bench finally cleared of the Gustav, now can concentrate on this one. Got some facial reconstruction done, just have to wait 24 hrs for the putty to dry. Then can do some sanding where required, maybe a bit more build of the cheeks - will see. 1.) Added a bit of brow thickness with green putty, but also sanded down the bridge of the nose. Also widened the philtrum (area between nose and upper lip). 2.) Test fit of jaw, and some work done to lips via more thickness and shape. 3.) Jaw pinned in place as well as apoxie sculpt, which was smoothed over the open seams. 4.) More green stuff putty. Neck thickened as well as bottom of nose. Stronger jaw line and more to cheek areas. regards, Jack Edited August 13, 2017 by JackG 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Great to see progress with your build I really looking forward seeing the finished figure (what is the correct word for it as it isn't a complete figure?) Cheers, Peter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted August 17, 2017 Author Share Posted August 17, 2017 Thanks kindly, Peter. A sculpt that includes the upper body or partial torso would be termed a bust. I've made good progress with the garrison hat, called the 'pilotka': I first covered the bust with a thin plastic (cellophane?) for several reasons. First to maintain the rest of the figure clean of putty, to keep the hat separate from the head afterwards for painting purpose, and lastly just in case it doesn't work out. The sculpting was done in two sessions. First the outer shell was made, this appears as the darker green putty. Next day, I added the two raised sections in the middle. I've since removed the hat and started clean up with sandpaper and a little trimming to fine tune the shape. regards, Jack 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorfinn Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Really magnificent work, Jack! A real treat to watch. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 +1 John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted August 18, 2017 Author Share Posted August 18, 2017 (edited) Thank you thorfinn and John. I think I might have found the subject's name. Doing a reverse image search brought me to a Russian blog, where someone claimed it was their grandmother who was a medical officer at Sevastopol. Someone argued that they were lying because he could not reveal her name and posted this link: http://education.simcat.ru/school59/museum/6 Her b/w photo is sandwiched between two other females but I'm not sure if they are one in the same. The image files all share the name stepanova_danilova, but could be just credit to the photographer's name, or maybe a combination of the subject's first name and photographer's last name? regards, Jack Edited August 18, 2017 by JackG 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 For my money those three photos are of the same person taking into account the eyes nose & mouth characteristics. Certainly in the 1st two head & shoulders photos, less easy to be sure with the full length photo due to the quality of the print. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share Posted August 19, 2017 Thanks Steve, I think you are right - definitely see the same characteristics in the eyes and mouth. The nose is a bit difficult to compare because of the harsh lighting in the 1941 photo. There is a five year difference between the two pics, and combined with the stress of war - that will definitely change the physical looks. ------------------------------------------------------ On another note, I think I will go with the subdued collar ranks after seeing this photo: It is a reenactor, but the collar tabs are quite dark and reflect what I see in the b/w photo I'm using. About the red collar markings, this type of rank system was used until 1943, when shoulder boards replaced them. Officially the colourful tabs were discontinued by an order dated July 1940, with ranks displayed in subdued green and no branch colours. So to be totally accurate I should make them green, but have read this changeover was slow and not immediately widespread, and even as late as during the Stalingrad battles, coloured ones could be found. ... and I also found this site, perfect for giving the measurements of the rank collar tabs: https://translate.google.com/translate?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.ca&sl=ru&sp=nmt4&tl=en&u=http://broneboy.ru/ regards, Jack 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Some nice research happening here Jack! Also great that you can now put a name to the lady. Cheers, Peter 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Looks like good progress, and some useful research, this is interesting to watch p.s. The BBC (Radio 4) book of the week a few weeks back was about Russian women soldiers experiences in the GPW. The Unwomanly Face of War, 31st - 4th (July/Aug?), it's still on iPlayer. They had a difficult time of it, both during and after the war. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted August 26, 2017 Author Share Posted August 26, 2017 (edited) Thank you Peter and Robert. Things aren't progressing as quickly as hoped, but nevertheless, past week was spent on the torso: On the left is just filling in with large wads of putty to get an appropriate volume look to wearing of the early style jacket, known as the gimnasterka. Then the fun began with adding details in the form of pockets and center flap (buttons hidden), followed by some cloth wrinkles. Those on her right need to be sanded down. Have also added the beginnings of the collar. What's there now is just the inner section, which will be trimmed to shape before accepting the collar lapels. Still need to add some semblance of her upper arms as well. regards, Jack Edited August 26, 2017 by JackG 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorfinn Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Breathtaking work! Even half-complete, the term 'gobsmacked' comes fully to mind.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 What a transformation! Indeed very impressive what you made so far from the original figure Cheers, Peter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted August 31, 2017 Author Share Posted August 31, 2017 Thank you thorfinn and Peter. Final details are now sculpted - upper arms, collar lapels, rank tabs and a raised seam across the tops of the shoulder. A coat of grey primer is on, and can spot a few rough spots that need some touch ups. The chin too, looks like I undercut it a tad too much, so need to address that too. regards, Jack 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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