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Shepherd Paine has passed away

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  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: NW Washington
Shepherd Paine has passed away
Posted by dirkpitt77 on Sunday, August 2, 2015 9:11 AM

A huge legacy he leaves behind for the modeling world. Here is what I found on Facebook:

"

Howard Sheperd Paine, who for six decades tirelessly worked to spread the popularity of the art miniatures worldwide, died on Saturday, August 1. An extraordinary artist, prolific author, widely respected military historian, and renowned collector of military artifacts, he was 69 years old.
Universally known to his many friends simply as “Shep,” the artist suffered a stroke at his home on Chicago’s Northwest Side on July 27. Though he never regained consciousness, he spent his final days in the company of loved ones—a small group representing the countless others who came to consider him a friend and mentor through his four books for hobbyists, how-to tip sheets, classes and seminars, co-founding of the tri-annual World Model Expo, and championing of the Open System of Judging for his beloved Military Miniature Society of Illinois and other organizations devoted to the art of miniatures around the world.

In addition to the MMSI, Shep was a driving force in the Company of Military Historians and several Napoleonic historical organizations. He served as president of all of those groups at different times, and was a dedicated recruiter to their ranks.

Immediate services will be private, but the MMSI is planning a “Celebration of Shep Paine’s Life” where all will be welcome following the group’s annual Chicago Show on Sunday, October 25. Details will be announced soon.

The son of Dr. Richmond and Mary Paine, Shep was the first child born to American parents in free Berlin after the end of World War II. His family, which was completed by younger sisters Emily, Martha, and Diana, all of whom survive their brother, settled near Boston after their father’s service in the Army Medical Corps.

After a year spent in London, where he attended Eaton House, Shep completed his early schooling at Saint Paul’s Boarding School in Concord, New Hampshire. He then bucked his father’s wishes to follow in his footsteps as a doctor by delaying college to enlist in the Army himself. He served with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany from 1965 to 1967, rising to the rank of sergeant and for a time overseeing the company arsenal. “That cured me of any desire to ever have a gun collection,” he said.

Following his military service, Shep benefited from the G.I. Bill to enroll at the University of Chicago. There he earned a B.A. in General Studies in the Humanities—“a classic liberal arts degree,” as he said, reflecting interests in art, history, and culture that were many, varied, and wide-ranging. That plus his encyclopedic reading—in English as well as French, which he could speak fluently—fueled his abilities as a great raconteur and orator.

Shep’s interest in scale modeling began as a pre-teen, shifting from a fondness for model railroading to converting and painting Marx and other plastic toy soldiers and building miniature tanks. He continued to pursue the hobby throughout his time at boarding school, in the Army, and into his college years, when the friends he made in the MMSI introduced him to a community of likeminded historical enthusiasts and scale modelers, and convinced him to stay in Chicago.

“I had no idea of what I wanted to do in life, so I started painting figures in my spare time between classes,” Shep said of his time at the University of Chicago. “When I graduated in 1971, with nothing of greater interest on the horizon, I thought I’d try doing that for a living, at least for a while.”

“Shep and I have a thirteen-year age difference, and I don’t think I really got hip to what he was doing until I was in college,” said his sister, Diana. “I was like, ‘Oh, Shep does this weird miniature thing, isn’t it cute?’ I had no idea about the level of artistry until he sent me a copy of one of his books, and then I went, ‘Whoa, there’s a lot more going on here than I thought!’ But, frankly, I think Shep’s greatest achievement was avoiding a nine-to-five job; that’s where he really escalated in my eyes. Yes, he had to work for a living, but he was doing something he loved.”

Indeed, Shep proudly boasted that he never held a “real” job. From his earliest finished plastic figures through the end of his active period as a scale modeler in the mid-1990s, Shep sold every piece he completed: expertly painted stock metal castings; ambitious conversions of plastic figures; original sculptures of his own scale historical or fantasy subjects; impressive armor, aircraft, and ship dioramas built on commission for the Monogram and Tamiya model companies and various museums, and the 100-percent scratchbuilt box dioramas that he considered the pinnacle of his artwork.

Though he spent several years sculpting 1/32nd scale soldiers for Valiant Miniatures, Shep said he disliked being part of the hobby industry, preferring to follow his muse by working on one-of-a-kind pieces that sprung from his unique imagination and vision. Among his best-known collectors were painter Andrew Wyeth; financier Malcolm Forbes, and industrialist Ralph Koebbeman. The Wyeth pieces remain on display at the Brandywine River Museum dedicated to that painter in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, while other works can be seen at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry and the Pamplin Historical Park and National Museum of the Civil War Soldier in Petersburg, Virginia.

Though his attentions eventually shifted toward researching and collecting military artifacts, from medals to Napoleonic and Victorian uniforms, Shep remained active in the global community of miniaturists long after he stopped producing work of his own. He often presided as head judge at the most respected modeling shows around the world, and the honor for any artist claiming a gold medal was all the more significant for hearing Shep Paine read his or her name.

Since Shep set the bar for the realism and artistic ambition of sculpted and painted figures through the ’90s, other artists have raised the standards for excellence ever higher, as he was proud to note. But his ability to tell dramatic and imaginative stories with miniature figures was a skill few others have matched. “Dioramas are so interesting because they combine so many elements in different forms,” he said. “You are basically telling a story without words. It’s like silent movies, except you don’t have anybody moving.”

Never hesitant to share his techniques or inspire others with his ideas for stories to tell in miniature, Shep wrote dozens of articles for scale-modeling publications and published four invaluable how-to books with Wisconsin-based Kalmbach Publishing: How to Build Dioramas (first published in 1980 and released in an updated and expanded edition in 2000); Modeling Tanks and Military Vehicles (1983); How to Photograph Scale Models (written with former Sports Illustrated photographer and hobbyist Lane Stewart in 1984), and Building and Painting Scale Figures (1993). The most successful of these titles, How to Build Dioramas, has sold more than a hundred thousand copies worldwide, and it has been translated into Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and Chinese.

Shep believed that teaching others forced him to focus even more on what he was doing in his own work—and why. “He said that if you have to teach something, it forces you to learn what it really is,” said his friend, MMSI President Mike Cobb. “Shep always had his own ways about things, and he was going to do it his way. But the annoying thing was, he was almost always right!”

“Shep and I used to drive out to the Miniature Figures Collectors of America show near Philadelphia every year, and Shep would have his latest masterpiece,” said his friend, retired Oak Park art teacher Joe Berton. “He’d be uncrating it out of the box, and there would just be a buzz in the crowd, waiting to see what Shep put out there. People were just so enthused, waiting to see whatever the latest creation of his would be, and they would be standing in line. There was that excitement, because he was always on the edge, always the most innovative, always the most creative—I mean, he was the best. But I think Shep’s real strength for the rest of us has been his complete willingness to share his knowledge, his techniques, and his skills. He’s always willing to share what he knows: There are no secrets. So many of us took painting classes with Shep, and he’d always encourage us: ‘This is how I do it, but eventually, you’ll find your own style.’”

As a painter, Shep worked in oils over a base coat of acrylics, bringing a much greater level of artistry to painting figures than the previous method of using enamel hobby paints. His books and the classes he taught around the world prompted many to call this technique “the Chicago school,” though as several MMSI members have said, “The Shep school really would be more accurate.”

In the late 2000s, Shep spent dozens of hours in interviews with music critic and hobbyist Jim DeRogatis, working with him to document in photographs and words all of his miniature creations and the stories of his life’s work. Their extensive hardcover book Sheperd Paine: The Life and Work of a Master Modeler and Military Historian was issued by Schiffer Publishing in 2008.

Having survived several health scares in recent years, Shep was as always deep into several new projects, including a revised armor modeling book with contributions from several of the best scale modelers in that field and new editions of some of his other older titles. He also was cheerfully contributing to the planning for the next World Model Expo, to be held in Chicago in July 2017, just as he’d pitched in for previous events in in Scotland, France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland.

In the final days, Berton, Cobb, and DeRogatis joined Shep’s sister Diana in placing two items at his bedside to represent his extensive and treasured collection of art and historical artifacts: a replica Napoleonic marshal’s baton, the symbol of having achieved the highest rank in the French Army, awarded by the Emperor to “the bravest of the brave,” and a small stuffed cow.

Shep’s fondness for what he called “bovine beauties” was a running joke and a celebration of his eccentricities among friends throughout his life. But there was a serious side to the dozens of cow collectibles that filled his kitchen and spilled over into the rest of his house, as he told DeRogatis in their book.

“I never buy cows for myself; these are all things that my friends have given me over the years,” Shep said. “When I’m feeling low and want to go out in the garden and eat worms, I come into the kitchen, look around at all of these things, and realize that I’ve been a very lucky man to have had so many friends and people who care about me.”

In the end, those many friends and his ability to forge countless other lifelong bonds among people he brought together from far-flung corners of the globe via a shared passion for an esoteric hobby and myriad historical obsessions was the legacy of which he was most proud, and which will live forever in the hearts of those whose lives he touched.

In that spirit and per his wishes, the MMSI has established the Shep Paine Education Fund, which is accepting tax-deductible donations in his honor to continue his invaluable work as an educator and proselytizer for the art of miniatures via classes, seminars, and other projects. Contributions to this dedicated fund can be made via PayPal at MMSIChicagoShow@gmail.com or by mail to The Shep Paine Education Fund care of MMSI Treasurer Tom Surlak, 3136 Secretariat Dr., Aurora, IL 60602."

    "Some say the alien didn't die in the crash.  It survived and drank whiskey and played poker with the locals 'til the Texas Rangers caught wind of it and shot it dead."

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Sunday, August 2, 2015 9:44 AM

Dirk ;

    I got to meet Shep at A meet one time and I have never forgotten what he told me . "Build what you're best at .The Art will come at some point " I have built on commission and for myself and have always told folks to get his books if they wanted to learn from the best ." Shep - May You rest in peace . "    Tanker-Builder

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Sunday, August 2, 2015 9:57 AM

The modeling world has lost a legend. Didn't know he was 69 yrs old. RIP Mr. Shepherd Paine.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Northeast Washington State
Posted by JCon on Sunday, August 2, 2015 10:24 AM

Praying for his family!  This is leaving a large hole in our hobby for sure!!!

Happy Modeling, Joe Favorite Quote: It's what you learn after you know it all that counts!
  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Sunday, August 2, 2015 10:27 AM

Sorry to hear.

Very cool that you got to meet him, TB.

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by Souda99 on Sunday, August 2, 2015 10:32 AM

I am in total shock. I just recently got my first coveted Shepard Paine book, we have truly lost a legend that inspired us all and in his own way nudged us to constantly raise the bar.

  • Member since
    June 2015
Posted by jersey66 on Sunday, August 2, 2015 11:24 AM

When I first started building armor vehicles I purchased he's book Modeling Tanks and Military Vehicles it didn't just show me how to make my models better, but it also taught me to just have fun when building

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Sunday, August 2, 2015 6:18 PM

Yeap, 'How to Build Dioramas' was one of the first hobby books I purchased. It's old, dog-eared, and paint stained now. Probably learned more from it than any other modeling book I've ever owned. Plus the inspiration he gave on top of that.

RIP Mr. Paine...Crying

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Sunday, August 2, 2015 7:41 PM

Yep bought a fresh copy several years ago,

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Sunday, August 2, 2015 8:13 PM

I have one of his books as well, and it has always been my favorite amongst my book stash. Sad to see him go.

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Scarecrow Joe on Sunday, August 2, 2015 8:30 PM

As many here I also had his diorama book.  I won it at a local model contest when I was a teenager.  I lost that copy and later bought it again.  I read it hundreds of times! He surely will be missed....

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: Maine
Posted by Stage_Left on Sunday, August 2, 2015 10:32 PM

RIP Shep, and thanks.

Dave 

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Canada
Posted by Belugawrx on Sunday, August 2, 2015 11:09 PM

RIP Shepard Paine

i1348.photobucket.com/.../aaasjhep%20600x438%20600x438_zpsihyawpwz.jpg

RIP SHEP

I met Shepard Paine when my father opened "The Olde Soldier" shop in St. Catharines, Ontario.

I was cleaning windows/display cases, and oggling the tamiya,verlinden, squadron, ....etc, at 11

Shep walks in the door after I look at his halftrack with leaping...yep 'leaping' figures" in a mag. .....

He was there to show my Dad his new line of Casted figures,...Valiant Miniatures

I racked his brain for a good 35-40 mins. then, coffee was over and, I had to get back to cleaning,....

He will be remembered and missed,.....and copied, for ever.

Cheers to Shep

 Bruce Coy

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, August 2, 2015 11:36 PM

His flyers in the old Monogram kits were THE stuff that inspired. A true loss to our hobby. A Master has passed.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Ottawa,Ontario,Canada
Posted by modeler#1 on Monday, August 3, 2015 12:21 AM

I remember back when I was just starting out modeling and was reading some of my dad's old FSM's, I remember a article on Mr.Paine and was just blown away by the detail and quality in his dioramas.

Rest in peace Mr.Paine you will be missed.

On the Bench: Nothing atm

  • Member since
    April 2013
Posted by KnightTemplar5150 on Monday, August 3, 2015 12:34 AM
Those Monogram flyers were probably some of the most inspiring and most emulated works of scale modelling ever produced. I wonder just how many of us were touched and transformed by Mr. Paine's work in those beautiful scenes, hidden away under the instruction sheet at the bottom of the box? I distinctly recall the flyers included with the "Screamin' Mimi" and "Hedge Hog" Shermans because of the narratives Shep offered in his description of crafting the details which went into those dioramas. After that, Shep's phamphlets became the big motivation in purchasing other Monogram kits with scenes like a B-25 rotting away in a scrap yard, a lucky crew inspecting the wreckage of their B17, or a German assault gun hiding in the wreckage of a bombed out building. In each, the artist we celebrate played his finest role - that of the teacher. I would venture to say that there is probably not a one of us in the hobby today who has not been somehow touched by the knowledge he shared so skillfully in those pamphlets. Sad to see him go, but I'd like to think that he's up there in the back of that great hobby store in the sky, working contentedly on one more big project.
  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Scarecrow Joe on Monday, August 3, 2015 7:51 AM

Anyone knows what he died of? He was not that old, only 69....

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Monday, August 3, 2015 7:55 AM

Complications from a stroke from what was mentioned.

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Monday, August 3, 2015 8:30 AM
He was THE inspiration that first got me into model building.
Godspeed Mr Paine.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Bucks county, PA
Posted by Bucksco on Monday, August 3, 2015 9:35 AM

Those of us who began building models in the 1960's understand what a profound effect Shep Paine had on our perception of what this hobby could be. The introduction of the Monogram diorama sheets turned what was a childhood past time into something we would take with us into adulthood. Shep Paine showed us that you could turn plastic kits and figures into true artwork. I was lucky enough to attend the MFCA (Miniature Figure Collector's of America) shows throughout the 1970's and saw all of his box dioramas first hand and they were truly amazing and inspirational. We all knew that we could only aspire to such artwork but it really did make you want to try! His box dioramas were truly artwork - he is the only model maker that I know of whose work has been displayed at a major art gallery - the Wyeth museum in Chadds Ford, Pa. Andrew Wyeth was a fan of his work - that is pretty awesome! I believe his work transcended the world of model building and took it to another level. I still turn to his work for inspiration and guidance - a true master modeler and a gentleman. Rest in Peace Shep.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, August 3, 2015 12:44 PM

This is really sad news. I got a Mono 48th B-17 in the mid 80's, a few years after I had started modelling. I had not heard of Shep Paine at this point, but it had one of those booklets in it with pics of Shep's crashed B-17 dio. From that moment on I was hooked on building diorama's. Though I only got his book last year, those pics of the Fort have stayed with me and still inspire me.

RIP Shep.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Mopar Madness on Monday, August 3, 2015 12:58 PM
Oh how I tried to emulate his models back in the day but could never get them to look near as good as his. Rest in peace.

Chad

God, Family, Models...

At the plate: 1/48 Airfix Bf109 & 1/35 Tamiya Famo

On deck: Who knows!

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Monday, August 3, 2015 1:56 PM

Here is a link to a website containing much of his work that inspired so many of us...

http://sheperdpaine.com/

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: clinton twp,mi
Posted by humper491 on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 12:51 AM

thanks for that link!

Humper Beam

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W
Posted by scottrc on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 8:05 AM

He really was a pioneer who inspired us to take a box of plastic parts originally marketed to be a toy and get blown up by a fire cracker, and turn it into a actual work of art.  His inspiration in us, who are for the most part adults,  to launch an completely new industry that is thriving in an age where it should have been obsolete and replaced by the video age.

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