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Old Maori Warrior, New Zealand 1890's - Euromilitaire 2006 Gold Medal Winner

After seeing some great old photos of Maori taken in the late 1800s I was inspired to create my figure. Many photos that I looked at had a great contrast in them, and this was the wonderful tattooed faces or Moko in Maori, and that contrast of European clothing. When thinking how I wanted to create the old warrior, I knew that I had to pose him just right so he would give at a glance the proud look of his status. I studied many old photos and paintings of old Maori before sculpting the face. It was important that the shape and structure was definitely Maori. Sculpting the age of the face was very important too, he had to look like he was in his late 60's. When it came to the Moko I had to try and make the Moko look like it was carved into the face, because that was the way it was done, so I had to highlight and shadow it to give the illusion. Not that easy on such a small area. It was a good challenge.

I decided to sculpt the figure at 120mm. I used MagicSculpt and Duro epoxy putties. The painting was done using Vallejo and Maimari acrylics. Ground work was sculpted from MagicSculpt, painted and a variety of small plants were used. I also used some photo etched ferns which I felt just gave it the New Zealand forest look without overpowering the figure.

I just recently had my figure at Euromilitaire. I was very honored to receive a gold medal for him at this very prestigious show, and must again thank my good friend Les Smith for taking him and entering him on my behalf.