War Memorial.

[Ratshot]

102a

Hello everyone, here's my Small Category entry.

First off I would like to say that I was inspired by LuxorV and his "Glory to the Braves".

Here it is.....

Two kids and a Veteran laying poppie wreaths.

The top.

The bottom.

The laying of a wreath.

Another angle, featuring the Veteran and the boy.

COMMENTS WELCOME!!!

Chow

Ratshot

Edited December 2, 2009 by SlyOwl

[Commodore Hornbricker]

Very nice but I feel like it somehow needs a flag incorporated into it. Maybe in a way that isn't so obvious.

[badboytje88]

This looks so lovely and piecefull. I love the candles blowing in the wind.

[MetroiD]

Simple, yet nice and thoughtful - just what memorials are all about. Very nice entry, Ratshot!

My favourite aspects:

+ As usual with your MOCs - the minifigs. The woman laying the wreath and the veteran with his hat off are absolutely perfect.

+ The memorial fire blowing in the wind - very symbolic.

+ The uniform red colour you've chosen for all the flowers definitely works well here.

+ The "unknown soldier" type of bust statue incorporated into the main structure. A very subtle and nice touch.

Suggestions:

- Have you tried actually tiling the base of the structure where the flowers / wreaths are laid? I think that would work better and provide contrast with the cobblestone street.

- I was thinking that you could perhaps try and come up with an actual "wreath" by using small pieces (e.g. hands, clips, etc.), since I really feel that would stand out among the flower bouquets.

- I'm not really sure about the kid's expression... The smile seems appropriate for the woman despite her subdued grief, but I just don't feel that it works as well for the kid. Have you tried using other expressions?

Once again - good luck in the competition. I'm really happy that someone was inspired by LuxorV's wonderful MOC - it would have been a shame if that idea was not actually featured in the contest!

P.S.: And as to your photos - there's nothing really wrong with them. I can only recommend that you use some sort of white backdrop to help the MOC stand out - that way you'd also make sure that the viewer's attention is focused precisely where you want it. If you're unsure what you should use, might I suggest trying the back side of a larger poster? Its shiny finish should work perfectly.

Edited November 25, 2009 by TheOtters

[Rick]

As others have said, my favorite part would also be the posing of the figs and the fire blowing in the wind. I think the statue now is a bit simple (no 'body' for the soldier), but maybe this works best in this vig. I would however recommend using an older 'plain' shako if you have it.

[Ratshot]

Very nice but I feel like it somehow needs a flag incorporated into it. Maybe in a way that isn't so obvious.

I never thought of that, good point.

- Have you tried actually tiling the base of the structure where the flowers / wreaths are laid? I think that would work better and provide contrast with the cobblestone street.

- I was thinking that you could perhaps try and come up with an actual "wreath" by using small pieces (e.g. hands, clips, etc.), since I really feel that would stand out among the flower bouquets.

- I'm not really sure about the kid's expression... The smile seems appropriate for the woman despite her subdued grief, but I just don't feel that it works as well for the kid. Have you tried using other expressions?

- I don't have enough gray tiles for the base.

- I tried making a wreath but I couldn't seem to get anything that looked nice.

- Sadly, the bulk of my minifig heads are from the pirate, castle and Indy themes so I don't have very many appropriate facial expressions.

I would however recommend using an older 'plain' shako if you have it.

Originally, I used a plain black shako but decided that it was to blaahhh.

Thanks for the feedback everyone

Chow

Ratshot

[MetroiD]

- I tried making a wreath but I couldn't seem to get anything that looked nice.

Well, you don't need to look far for inspiration - check out one of the recent entries in CopMike's X-Mas raffle :) That's precisely what I had in mind!

Edited November 25, 2009 by TheOtters

[Ratshot]

Well, you don't need to look far for inspiration - check out one of the recent entries in CopMike's X-Mas raffle :) That's precisely what I had in mind!

Thanks Bobby, I'll see what I can come up with.