Hi guys,

Here is the latest progress from the bench. A quite enjoyable kit that will be featured later in MMiR, so just a bit of a teaser for now. As you can see, I decided to give it a little "what-if" feeling...

Best,

Mike







Images copyright M. Rinaldi © 2009

awesome work there

Now that my friend is very, very nice. I must say how much more I like you models when you paint them 'straight' - they just look so much more 'real' and believe me, this one is certainly looking to be exactly that - real.

This may well be your best model for some time - and one that I'm very eager to see complete...

Like I say - very nice.

Spence

the choice of colours, the waethering, the chips - all is simply GREAT !
Very very nice build so far.

cheers Erik

Great chipping Mike

I also love the subject. You are the king of anything on the PZ IV chasses.

ANPW

nice job

Hey Mike,

It sure is great to see a new project from your bench. Absolutely stunning photography (especially the first shot), and of course the model is tip-top!

Have a great 4th.

Rick

http://ricklawler.plastic-garden.com/

Good to see something from your shop, nice overall paint, like the finish on the pipes too.

Rick

Good to see your latest progress.
Hope to see more

Bernard Cher
M WORKSHOP

Mike

love this and very inspiring...I love the balance you obtain with yet very effective colors..

is the chipping recreated by hand with brush or hairspray?

Long way to go for me anyway..

ciao!

Fabio

Hey Michael,

I have always admired your work for it's realism. Recently the trend has been color modulation and I understand your dabbling in this area. However, in my opinion this kind of realistic painting and weathering is definitely your thing and I prefer it over the other techniques. No one does it better. Absolutely superb. I really like the subtle transparency of the camo colors which is extremely realistic. The chipping and weathering is perfect...not overdone as the recent trend seams to dictate. Love it! Are those PE fenders?

Not too clean and not too dirty.

Wow! look great,can not wait to see it finished!

William Sum

..Mike has to be one of THE premier modelers we all look up to.

It dosen't get any better than this!

Thanks,
Nick

Geat Stuff Mike, looks great!

All the best,
Staf

Mike,

As usual this is a beautiful piece. The top picture with the crisp focus and coloring looks absolutely real! Like a photo of a full size vehicle. I have always been so impressed by your photography as much as your modeling. I really struggle with taking pictures.

Hope you have been well since Virginia Beach, hope to see you again real soon,

Cheers,
Rob

I didn't expect this response at all. I've had my head buried in the sand lately with work, so it was good just to post something new. I was talking with my friend Anthony about his new M51 dump truck posted below and the difficult MERDC camo, and I realized it has been a while since I posted on the CC forum. I just threw this up to see if it sticks.

Thanks to everyone for their kind comments, some interesting thoughts there. The kit is bone "OOB" stock, I only added weld beads and fender support brackets missing from the kit. The camo scheme was inspired by Markus Eriksson's new Panzerjaeger I, and the weathering is heavily influenced by Kristof's and Staf's work, with a touch of CM thrown in for good measure. On the colors, it's all in the yellow my friends, the brown and green are straight from the bottle.

Spence - you're my hero
Adam - you too man, we'll talk soon, enjoy the 4th in Spain!
Rick & Rick - thanks guys, stay safe and enjoy the weekend
Pat, Erik, Pete, Ed, William - many thanks
Bernard - just keep doin' what you're doin' my friend
Fabio - nothing escapes your keen eye, yes fun with hair spray
Kevin - that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy...nope just thinned plastic.
Nick - way too kind...
Staf - you're my other hero
Rob - well then there's Rob. Things are busy here, will miss u at the Nats. Ever have any photo questions, give a shout and Happy 4th my friend.

Time for some grilling, drinking, sun and fireworks....

Best,

Mike

Because that finish is badass

just a lot of mileage, as they say. The techniques are pretty well covered in all the mags and forums, the real trick is practice. A great model friend once told me the reason our (his and mine) figures suck is because we only paint one or two a year. The great figure painters probably paint one or two a week, if not more. At art school, it was sketch, sketch, sketch...day and night. Painting and weathering are no different....practice, practice, practice.

HTH,

Mike

...absolutely beautiful work. I especially like the contrast between the camouflage colours and the nice mix of subtle weathering and heavy washes. I also like the nice colour effects on the exhaust pipes. I would love to hear how you achived that result?


cheers mate!

Hi Mike,
They look really good, the base coat especially. Love it!

Regards
Andy K

--------------------------------------------

www.notaussiefloyd.com

as always - looks superb! I like your style

Cheers
Lars

Hi Mike,

Sorry for my late reply. Outstanding work, usually I love all your work because I think you have a natural talent to paint but in this model you have gone one step further and have improved your style more.

Keep in this line amigo.

Another stunner on the way! Will this one be making it over to Euro in September?

As someone else mentioned, the photography is top notch too!

Alex

as usual Mike.

I always love to see your work.

Adam

_________________________
http://www.idf-in-scale.com

Can't wait for the details in the mag.

Great finish Mike!!
Jan

you around again Mike... your work in progress always inspires.

Best
Andy

I just love looking at your models and this is another beauty Mike. I look forward to seeing the finished model.

Rob

Hi Mike,
if the rest of the kit looks this good, it`ll be a knockout.

well done mate,

malc.

but I do not want to pass this one. You see Mike, you post just a couple of photos nas you cause all this stir.
Anyway, I join the stir. This is so damn fantastic... I would say some words in Spanish but probably the direct translation would be a little bit rude (and probably the exact meaning would nor be the same)
Superb

Antonio


www.afvplanet.com
www.onefortyeight.com

Is impossible to read all, when you have your job and...your son!!!
Michael your job is fantastic, the wheatering and chipping are beautiful, I'd like their in the right parts and you have a good eye...also the interior of the wheel in the "minio" (hull red) colour is a good idea, also to copy!!! Are the balken kreuz and tactical sing transfer or decals? They seems really..
Wish my best compliments
Ciao
Fabio Mosca

I had a lot of fun painting the red primer underneath.

The tactical signs are from the Archer Dry Transfers sheet with all the German Tactical symbols present. I chose the one that represents the Light Self-Propelled Howitzer Battery. The crosses were sprayed using vinyl masks from Eduard's German Medium Crosses set.

HTH,

Mike