Completed 1/9 General Gerard

[Colin_Fraser]

Can you show a photo of the cut down brush and say how t's used?

Sure. I find ladies’s make up sponges work best.



Cut the sponge to desired size and shape with scissors.



Gently dab the desired colour onto the area to be painted. I generally go dark to light. Here’s an example although I would have multiple shades on a real figure.

It’s important not to use too much paint and to dab (but not slide) the sponge.



After sponging I generally flow a diluted ink over the painted area to unify the shades…a filter?

Here’s Gerard’s habit coat sponged and inked.



Colin

 

[Nap]

Thanks Kevin. i appreciate the welcome. I am going to change his uniform slightly…from the very undress general’s frac to the undress embroidered coatee. That will require free handing oak leaf embroidery down the front. Should be fun.

Colin

Pleasure , look forward to seeing the embroidery, if you can do share the colours etc you use

Thanks for sharing the sponge method , looks effective , the “ink” for this did you use a dark blue or black ?

Look forward to seeing what you do with the despatch folder he holds

Sure you have references but found this for interest

Following with a smile

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Briggsy]

Interesting use of the sponge, one cannot argue with the results they are very subtle transitions. I had to check back to remind myself what paint you used oil or acrylic, great that it's acrylic. I'm going to try the sponge method with oils on a horse soon, if it works out as well as your tunic I'll be very happy.

Cheers Simon

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Interesting use of the sponge, one cannot argue with the results they are very subtle transitions. I had to check back to remind myself what paint you used oil or acrylic, great that it's acrylic. I'm going to try the sponge method with oils on a horse soon, if it works out as well as your tunic I'll be very happy.

Cheers Simon

Good luck Simon. The key is a light hand, not too much paint, and not too thin paint IMO.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Pleasure , look forward to seeing the embroidery, if you can do share the colours etc you use

Thanks for sharing the sponge method , looks effective , the “ink” for this did you use a dark blue or black ?

Look forward to seeing what you do with the despatch folder he holds

Sure you have references but found this for interest

Following with a smile

Happy benchtime

Nap

View attachment 494428View attachment 494429 View attachment 494430 View attachment 494431 View attachment 494432

Thank you Kev. I was waffling between maroon and green for the despatch case.

I use diluted Indigo ink over the paint for French imperial blue uniforms. I think the brand is Rowney.

 

[Viking Bob]

Excellent painting on the flesh, will have a go at the makeup sponges, I have used the finer ones in figure packaging but they are not as fine as those others.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Excellent painting on the flesh, will have a go at the makeup sponges, I have used the finer ones in figure packaging but they are not as fine as those others.

A useful tool. I have also used those eye shadow sponges on sticks bought in bulk from Amazon.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Beginning the embroidery on Gerard’s uniform coat.

Some reference pics for the despatch case (in addition to those kindly provided by Nap earlier); the coat; the cloak (note the different collar embroidery…I’ll stay with the version on the sculpt); and uniform buttons for an imperial general officer (I’ll indicate the detail with paint).

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Roughed in embroidery. I will probably add a Legion of Honour watered silk sash too.

 

[Briggsy]

Brilliant start Colin, I love seeing how people build up the detail like this, it's very educational so thanks.

Cheers Simon

 

[Colin_Fraser]

The order of chivalry on Gerard’s chest is the Grand Cross of the Swedish Order of the Epee awarded after Napoleon’s first abdication in 1814.

The reference in Gerard’s entry in Georges Six’ Dictionnaire Biografique



Gerard’s 1816 portrait by David



Close up



Repro plaque

 

[Nap]

Hi Colin

I’m in my element here , the detail painting looks excellent on the cape I see you added a inside line edging as well

Lovely start on the uniform coat ....enjoying seeing this build up ...nice button hole edging

Look forward to seeing the buttons as well

Shame the grand cross wasn’t more visible as it’s a lovely piece

As for the LOH ...very impressive detail painting ...like the idea of a sash

Could you show what inks you use for the embroidery if possible

Great to see the references as well

Look forward to seeing more

Happy painting

Nap

 

[NigelR]

Lovely work, building up to what I am sure will be a fantastic finished figure.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

I’ll get back to you re. the inks Nap.

Here’s where I stand this AM. Oakleaf embroidery needs more highlighting. LdH sash is just undercoated.

.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Hi Colin

I’m in my element here , the detail painting looks excellent on the cape I see you added a inside line edging as well

Lovely start on the uniform coat ....enjoying seeing this build up ...nice button hole edging

Look forward to seeing the buttons as well

Shame the grand cross wasn’t more visible as it’s a lovely piece

As for the LOH ...very impressive detail painting ...like the idea of a sash

Could you show what inks you use for the embroidery if possible

Great to see the references as well

Look forward to seeing more

Happy painting

Nap

Here are the paints I use for embroidery left to right darkest to lightest.. I like Liquitex pro artist’s acrylics because they are thick and one can almost sculpt embroidery with the brush tip.

Here are the inks I use on the embroidery at different stages, separately or mixed….but always heavily diluted.

 

[Briggsy]

Looking good Colin and interesting to see the colours you used, I've often wondered about the Liquitex acrylics but never dipped my toe into that pond. I have more than enough paints as it is!

I like the Legion sash but it's a shame it covers up all that embroidery. It does add a splash of colour though which is nice.

Cheers Simon

 

[Steve Ski]

Wow, looks great!

 

[Nap]

Hi Colin

WOW! Your a brave man adding that sash over the lovely work on the embroidery but as Simon says a splash of colour

Thank you for the pictures appreciate that , will add to the reference thread I have running if that’s okay

Looking forward to seeing more on the sash ...sure it will look great and very silk like

Thanks for updates

Have fun @ the bench

Nap

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Looking good Colin and interesting to see the colours you used, I've often wondered about the Liquitex acrylics but never dipped my toe into that pond. I have more than enough paints as it is!

I like the Legion sash but it's a shame it covers up all that embroidery. It does add a splash of colour though which is nice.

Cheers Simon

At least I know the oak leaves are there and a few will peak out. Thanks Simon

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Hi Colin

WOW! Your a brave man adding that sash over the lovely work on the embroidery but as Simon says a splash of colour

Thank you for the pictures appreciate that , will add to the reference thread I have running if that’s okay

Looking forward to seeing more on the sash ...sure it will look great and very silk like

Thanks for updates

Have fun @ the bench

Nap

I think Nello’s sculpt is heavily influenced by the 1816 David portrait. But I’m a sucker for the full oak leaf coatee so there you go.