WIP Critique Repainting Wellington (oils)

I while ago I sculpted the Duke of Wellington as I imagined him looking at Waterloo, telescope in hand. Scale is about 1/6 and material is sculpey firm. I painted him in acrylics and inks and I was never fully happy with the result. He always looked a bit flat to me. So I decided to go over the acrylics in oils and so far I think it was the right decision. In general, I think oils work better on the large buts that I like to sculpt. Its really hard to get smooth transitions with acrylic on large surfaces.

So far I have repainted his coat and bicorne, his hands and his face. Only the bicorne can be considered fully done at this point (and I have not done anything to his tassels or cockades yet). I would says this is about 65% complete.

I think the experiment was a success, as I like the oil finish over the acrylic. The blending on his hand, coat and bicorne is much improved. Not sure about the face yet. Perhaps I will land on a multi-media approach going forward

Here is the oil WIP. Still lots to do on his hair, hands and face.





And here is the acrylic completed earlier.



Comments and opinions on which is better are welcome.

Colin

This would have done well commercially!

Mike

Thanks Mike. It may be a crowded market with Gra's and MMM's nice full dress pieces of the Duke.
Colin

Personally I think you're right Colin, the oils look more natural. Maybe it's something to do with oils being a more natural substance?
Best wishes, Gary.

P S Don't tell the Greens I said so.

Looks good Colin. I thought the original looked fine... If anything the oils may have softened the effects of your inks on the flesh areas.

The downside is the blurring of the very recognizable "Fraser-esque" style. It still shows in the sculpt itself, that can't be hidden.

Colin

I prefer the oil's, more vibrant colour's.
Bob

Oils are settling in. Still need to do my coloured glazes on the flesh. Medal, hat insignia and lace, hair still need a lot of work.