WIP Algerian Tirailleur from Albu Miniatures

[Nap]

Hi everyone

Following on from my look at this from ALBU MINIATÙRES here

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/algerian-zouave-from-albu-miniatures.236882/



In it I put this reference which the sculptor used as a reference which shows 3 medals

These are the medals of course



Medal Militaire , Italian Campaign , Crimean ( the subject has 3 bars on his medal )


As in the review there are 2 medals



...nothing wrong with that of course ....but ......

...you might get the idea I quite like pushing a little bit of putty for details .....so I decided to add the missing medal ...keeping to the same layout as above ref

So taking a deep breath and hoping for the sculptor Alain's blessing ...out came the Dremel

Removing all the current medals which also removed lacework ..

Iffyvision pics ...click on for larger images

So started the lace

Bit more

Added the basic shape of the ribbons

then Built the ribbons up fully

Bit by bit the medals and details were added

Final result ...

UPDATE.....Now added the what will be blue ring in the centre and redone the head again ...fiddly !!!

Now on a base and primed ...will leave for a day or so to fully dry before basecoating

Thanks for looking in

Happy benchtime

Stay safe

Nap

PS Also found the Pilipili Chasseur d'Afrique bust in the GA as well ..Mmmmmm

 

[Nap]

Hi Folks

Quick iffypicture with the reworked Medal Militaire centre and before primer !...painting will ...hopefully make the reworking "zing"

Happy benchtime

Stay safe

Nap

 

[Richard Baxter]

Nice work, Kev. This chap looks a little narrow across the shoulders to me. Maybe it's the photo?

 

[Nap]

Nice work, Kev. This chap looks a little narrow across the shoulders to me. Maybe it's the photo?

Cheers Richard , possibly a little narrow but were not all built the same ..lol

Thanks for looking in

Stay safe

Nap

 

[KenBoyle]

Impressive Nap! You are the king of medal making and the extra personalization is one of the reasons your busts are always amazing. Keep it up sir!

Cheers,
Ken

 

[Nap]

Impressive Nap! You are the king of medal making and the extra personalization is one of the reasons your busts are always amazing. Keep it up sir!

Cheers,
Ken

Hi Ken

Thank you your too kind ...this was a challenge as I didn't want to ruin the original piece !!

Pleased with the result ...will get some basecoats on him very soon ...after I have finished prepping 2 Pilipili bust ( Chasseur d'Afrique and a Tirallier Sengalese -1914 ..the latter has 1 medal.., the other none......atm!! )

Happy benchtime

Stay safe

Nap

 

[Albu]

Good evening Nap and all.
Now I am aware that this medal is missing!
Thank you Nap and you had all my blessing to make this change.
It's a very nice job that you did there! Well done.

* Richard, yes it is true that the shoulders are not very wide, it is a good remark and I hope that it is not too embarrassing! But I like when there are these differences, like in life.

 

[Nap]

Hi everyone

Couple of pics with the basecoats on ...the 3 medals are just primed but will paint up nicely

As I said just basecoats !!...the challenge here is the very dark skintones so lots of reference confirmation on the way

Click on pics for larger images if you wish

Thanks for looking in

Happy benchtime

Stay safe

Nap

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys

Bit of a verbal update ...now on the bench

....working on the fleshwork first .....Be happy to get suggestions on the flesh

Below is a close up of Alain's painting in oils currently mine is darker

then it will be the hair , medals and uniform

Hopefully I can do the piece credit

Happy benchtime

Nap

PS Nice to see Geoff Charman liked my last post ..RIP mate

 

[Nap]

Looking at the picture reference

There's an lighter band of flesh under his hairline ...a newly worked hairstyle cut ?

Nap

 

[Henkm]

The other fellows in your review also have that lighter band of skin. Seeing how sharply delineated and straight it is, I have the idea that it might be because they're wearing a headdress when out in the sun?

 

[Nap]

The other fellows in your review also have that lighter band of skin. Seeing how sharply delineated and straight it is, I have the idea that it might be because they're wearing a headdress when out in the sun?

Very true ...possibly a fez ? .....I have painted to represent the lighter band but not overdoing it ..hopefully !m

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Nap]

Hi everyone

Quick picture of where I am at the moment with this piece , flesh all done , working on medal ribbons now , hair needs to be done as well

Must admit I am enjoying this painting , the lighter part under the hair is there as well ...hope to get some more done later

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[santi fernandez]

I like how the bust goes and good work on the medals.
Santi.

 

[Nap]

I like how the bust goes and good work on the medals.
Santi.

Thanks Santi ..it goes well ..a nice one to paint ....finished all the ribbons now ...actual medals next

Probably then do hair then uniform

Thanks for commenting

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Nap]

Hi folks

Never really noticed this but in the picture he is wearing a sash with a leather belt over it .....

Think I might add this ....but wondering what colour the sash and belt might be ....blue sash and black or brown belt ....Mmmm

Need to dig further ...any thoughts welcome

Painting progressing well ...working on the uniform highs etc , making the shirt a slightly different colour blue ...hopefully

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Dr Bison]

Hi Nap,

The sash (4.2 m or 4.8 m x 0.4 m) was made of light blue wool, the belt was black.
(here's one of the sources: https://www.le2emezouavesdewalcourt.be/pageuniforme.html)

Cheers

 

[Nap]

Hi Nap,

The sash (4.2 m or 4.8 m x 0.4 m) was made of light blue wool, the belt was black.
(here's one of the sources: https://www.le2emezouavesdewalcourt.be/pageuniforme.html)

Cheers

Thanks

So its the same blue as uniform then even though this is Algerian ?

Thank you ..putty coming out in morning

Nap

 

[Dr Bison]

Hi Nap,

I've just realised that this can't be a zouave, as their short jackets were dark blue - and the photo this bust is modelled on clearly shows a light jacket.
It has to be, therefore, a tirailleur algérien (Algerian Rifle) in a light blue jacket; his sash would then have to be carmine red! The belt is still black, though...

Here are some images from the new 1870/71 book (I'll do a review of it soon-ish):
Zouave:


Tirailleur:


Sorry for the confusion - I hope you haven't mixed your blue sash colour yet...

Cheers
Karl

 

[Nap]

Hi Nap,

I've just realised that this can't be a zouave, as their short jackets were dark blue - and the photo this bust is modelled on clearly shows a light jacket.
It has to be, therefore, a tirailleur algérien (Algerian Rifle) in a light blue jacket; his sash would then have to be carmine red! The belt is still black, though...

Here are some images from the new 1870/71 book (I'll do a review of it soon-ish):
Zouave:
View attachment 386285 View attachment 386284

Tirailleur:
View attachment 386281 View attachment 386282 View attachment 386283

Sorry for the confusion - I hope you haven't mixed your blue sash colour yet...

Cheers
Karl

Hi Karl

You are STAR

Just starting putting sash in place

Carmine will make a nice colour addition

Appreciate your references

Happy benchtime

Nap

PS ..I so want that book ! thanks for link ?