WIP Critique ~1/6 bust - Maj. Gen. Pat Cleburne CSA

ChaosCossack said:

We are trying for a bi-monthly schedule... putting the next one mid-september. Hopefully you'll be better by then A little show and tell, some technical exchanges, coffee, pizza and some girl watching on Bayview Ave during smoke breaks... I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon

BTW did you notice you are the last of the long haired freaks?

Colin

Click to expand...

Sounds awesome! And I am getting a haircut so the long hair brigade is over and done. You looked very distinguished I must say!

Colin

Roughing in his frock coat in MS. Based on this surviving Cleburne coat (not the one he was killed in in Franklin).




Colin

Excellent progress! As usually, will follow with great interest!
Hope you will be better for the next meeting!
Cheers mate,
Zeno

Buttons added and beginning general's insignia on collar, both in Aves. Got assistance on an ACW forum in ID'ing the buttons on Cleburne's actual surviving CSA Major General's frock coat. Strangely, per the museum catalogue listing they are a specific federal staff officer's buttons. I will have to see whether I can add that detail.



On review, I see the button spacing is off and the frock coat flap/plastron is too wide and the wrong shape. To be repaired tomorrow.

Colin

Removed and resculpted the buttons in Duro with better spacing. Changed the front flap of the frock coat (MS). Added the CSA General Officer collar insignia in Duro and Aves. More button detail to be added later.



Colin

Hi Colin,
I just love watching your unique work develop, this is certainly taking shape mate. Will sit on the sidelines again and watch in awe as this develops. Keep up the good work mate, look forward to the next steps. I can't give you an emoticom cheers so I will give you a Monkey cheers.
cheers
Richie

Much better Colin. Looks really good, my brother.
Are you seriously going to sculpt the eagle and shield on every button? You are a brave soul, surely.

fingers crossed

Colin

Nice work so far Colin! I REALLY look forward to how you'll do those buttons...

Cheers,
Adrian

Buttons are done. Less than an hour's work. At this scale, all one needs is an indication of texture to fool the eye and allow for the paint to show shadows and highlights. Using the method I developed in my last bust (Canaris). I used flattened putty balls (duro) cut from a roll of putty to ensure similar sizing for each button. When dry, I pressed on a smaller ball of soft MS (enough to lightly coat the Duro when pressed on with a finger) and smoothed it with a wet brush. Then, I pressed in a pattern with 3 tools seen below. Smoothed again with a wet brush to eliminate roughness.



I also added the top of his sash to the bottom of the bust. Unlike most CSA generals who wore buff sashes (if any), Cleburne wore a crimson sash at Franklin. It survives with his sword belt. I wanted to add the top of the sash as it stops the bust from looking too cleanly cut ("it's only a flesh wound!") and the crimson will look good with the cadet grey frock coat. I will add the top of his sword belt today.



I am now working on his sabre. Cut a pattern from plastic card. Coated one side with MS. Let it dry. Coated the other side. Then sanded and scraped with a carbide scraper (shown below). So now I have the basic shape of his scabbard. It still needs more cleaning up and needs the various details added. Hopefully today as well.



Onward and upward!

Colin

Brilliant stuff Colin I am always in awe of you sculpting folks.
Steve

Nice work Colin! Having had a long standing interest in the Civil War I always thought Cleburn was a fascinating character; especially as he started his military career in the 41st (Welch) Regiment, leaving as a Corporal.

Well done Colin.
I'm impressed that the buttons were actually quite simple... and fast.

Ok, lets see what you do with the arms and sabre. I have a fresh page open in my notebook and a new pen... Ready to take notes

Colin

Worked on his sword belt and repaired his kepi. More work on his sabre - will post progress on this later.



Colin

Sabre in progress. This is modelled on Cleburne's actual presentation sabre found in his baggage and not carried at Franklin. The guard has just be started, modelled on a form of uncooked sculpey that will be removed once the MS is set. Once I have a solid MS shape for the guard, I can expand it and begin its detailed modelling. And once I have the sabre done, I can do Cleburne's arm that will be cradling it. Home stretch.





Colin

A bit of a preview of what he will look like when done. The sabre still needs its full guard added (tomorrow). The right sleeve still needs its hand, pointed cuff and Austrian knot. Not sure what I am doing with his left arm at this stage.

I also sprayed a little undercoat on his head to check the sculpt and to look for rough spots.



Colin

Wow you are really flying through this guy. The sabre is awesome so far.
May I suggest, left hand cradling the scabbard into the crook of the elbow and the right hand resting loosely across the scabbard over the left forearm above the wrist... Just a thought. That's how I relax with my sword My son's friends find it very off-putting Ensures good behavior when they are in my house.

Colin

C'mon Colin, lets make some copies of this guy!!

Bob

Thanks for the idea Bob but it isn't up to that standard. I use paint to fix my sculpting inaccuracies and one can't do that when working on a master pattern.

I spent this aft doing the Austrian knots on his sleeve and that may have a bearing on (a) whether I ever do another senior Confederate officer and (b) whether his other arm makes an appearence on this piece (sorry Colin). The knots turned out OK but will need some tidying up when dry.



Colin

Go ahead... do the other arm

Added his sword and started roughing in his hand.....needs more work though.



Colin