Roman Optio – the PRELUDE
This is a 1/10 scale, polyurethane resin bust sculpted by Young B Song, comprising 13 parts this is a high end, accurate kit depicting a Roman Optio. It arrived in the customary, Young Miniatures attractive packaging, the box lid adorned by the boxart by Kiril Kanaev and protected by a clear plastic sleeve. The small parts are sealed in a ziplock bag and all nestled safe and securely within thick foam layers. The quality of the sculpt, cast and packaging are all of the highest quality, highly recommended!!
SCULPT AND CAST
Let’s begin by saying the sculpt for the Roman Optio kit is fantastic! What looks a complicated build initially due to the small parts is actually very straight forward. The detailing throughout is excellent, with crisp casting, sharp undercuts and boasting a tight fit to the parts.
the kit in full
The face is wonderfully sculpted, showing hooded brow and a determined character, strong jawline with a slight smirk to the mouth line. There is a dimple to the chin with nice musculature beneath the skin to the cheeks and neck. There are two small cutaways to the cheekbone to receive the tabs for the cheek guards.
sharp undercuts, realistic folds and superb volumes
There’s a resin plug that needs cutting away and filing smooth to be able to attach to the torso and when located the head is tilted slightly down and to the left, almost looking along his left shoulder.
The helm fits tightly to the head via a cut out and comes with neck guard, there are some small plugs here that will need careful removal. The detailing is exquisite with embossed motifs across the top. The plume is one that sits horizontally and displays excellent texture, there is a small rod to connect plume to helm. Before we come to the torso there are a series of smaller parts in the ziplock bag.
great facial details
These include a knotted chinstrap cord, cheek guards and the motif medallions that adorn the cuirass. The detailing tomeach is superb. The layered armour, pteruges and leather strapping all offer sharp undercuts with nice, realistic folds to the cloak that falls over the shoulders and clasped to the right hand rise. There is a real sense of bulk and strength to the bust in no small part due to the multiple layers presented.
sharp cast to the embossed details
The casting to the Roman Optio busT is superb, no major defects such as air bubble holes or casting slippages, mold lines are minimal and the biggest issue is the removal and cleaning of the casting plugs.
DESIGN AND ORIGINALITY
This is a traditional style bust in the truest sense of the word, displaying just the head and shoulders. The plumed helm offers a great silhouette and the sculpting of the materials and details is historically accurate and crisply presented. There’s a rigid formality that suits the bust very well, you can see that the various elements and layers to the bust have clearly been well thought out and designed.
The textures are nicely presented and not over worked with a finesse to the various elements of armour not always present in some other historical busts, overall I’m very impressed with this kit.
The paintwork by Kiril Kanaev is stunning and actually shows what is possible when thinking a little outside the box. Even though this is a historical kit there are clearly alternative ways in which this kit can be painted. Indeed the garb of the Romans’ was in some regards rich, vibrant and opulent which would suit the Painting style of many fantasy painters.
DESIRABILITY
Young Miniatures are near the pinnacle of what is possible with the historical genre and have a loyal fan base, the quality of the sculpt, cast, packaging combined with a classic subject that remains super popular makes this a desirable kit!
AFFORDABILITY
In the U.K. both Historex Agents and El Greco Miniatures have the bust at £50 which when considering everything is a smashing price, this bust will present painters of all skill levels with a multitude of pleasant painting hours. I consider the price point to be fair and competitive.
Dates, Figures and Stuff
Cost £50
Material Polyurethane Resin
No of Pieces 13
Release Date Available Now
Where Can I Get It?! HERE
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