WIP Bloodied, but unbowed

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I found the other photo that I was looking for, I knew I'd seen these two, photographed from another angle. The photo I found, shows their right side, perfect for my needs, but I'm sure I've also seen a photo of the two of them face on to the camera.
I don't know if I can post the picture here, because Alamy has spoiled the photo with their "copy right" markers, although it is bejond me how an 80 year old picture by a German war photographer, can be in copy right of a commercial company today. Still, don't want to get PlanetFigure into trouble... (Kev, if it is ok to show, please let me know)
This photo, throws up a number of issues.
From this angle, it is quite clear that Sapper Robb is not wearing a Smock... It is clear that he is wearing a (service) shirt tucked into his trousers. The design of the Smock, not disected down the centre, means that he can not be wearing a Smock in that image. He is wearing a Battle Dress Blouse, drapped over his left shoulder, buttoned at the top by the throat, with the left sleeve hanging down his left side, as in the other photo from their left. In the photo, his left arm appears not to be in a sleeve at all.
His right arm, around Sapper Grier's shoulder for support, is clearly protruding from a sleeve, but the cuff is not clear enough to determine wether that is the sleeve of the Battle Dress Blouse, or a Smock. However, from the way the right front of the Blouse hangs, I would deduct that he has his right arm in the sleeve, in the "conventional" way, because otherwise the front of the Blouse would be more crushed up, like the left side.
Now, the photo from their left side, which was obviously the inspiration for this sculpt, shows Sapper's left arm definitely in a sleeve, a large fitting sleeve, and the Battle Dress Blouse drapped over his left shoulder, with the (empty) sleeve hanging down. The photo is of poor quality, and it is not quite clear what is showing just below his arm and the Battle Dress Blouse, but it does look like there is some straight garment there.

I don't know for sure, but seeing as both photos are obviously of both these soldiers, but one was taken when they were standing about, and the other whilst they appear in a marching row of soldiers. Therefore I'm minded to think that the photo from their left, the photo used for this sculpt, was taken shortly after they were taken prisoner, and being processed, and the other photo, from their right, of them marching, was taken when they were taken away, and that Sapper Robb had "lost" the jacket or Smock that his left arm was in, either because an orderly cut it away to attend his wounds, or a German wanted a souvenier.

Anyway, none of this takes away from the kit, I just love to examine old photos, and pick out little oddities. The other photo has cetainly helped me to work out how to paint Sapper Grier, and add some more blood stains to Sapper Robb's face.
 
As another aside, I'd like to mention the look on these guys faces.. they have just been taken captive, after 4 days and nights of non stop battle, and still look defiant. With utter contempt to their captors.
Whao Mohammed
 
I've redone the sleeves where I removed the patches. Just some weathering to blend them in with the rest of the blouse.

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Good work. Well worth getting this right based on what you have found out.

Thank you Nigel.
I do want to get this right. I painted ReeDees "Approach to Arnhem", which is of course also based on a photo from the battle, and have since had brief contact with a family member of one of the Paras in the picture, who loved to see this. You never know who gets to see our work.
 
Todays progress, it's slowly taking shape, although at least on of the Smocks may yet get a fresh start. I'm fairly happy with Sapper Grier's Smock, much to tinker, but the overal feel is 'right'. Sapper Robb's Smock is fighting me all the way, I may have to start again on him.

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They look really good the smocks, I like how you've split the pattern with the material seams a lot of folk seem to forget that detail.

Cheers Simon
 
it's al coming good and together,don't hurry and you are not the only one who changes things,me too :)
but you are on the good way,keep it up (y)

Mario
 
Started fading the colours on Sapper Grier's Denison. I'm going to represent his Denison as an early one, heavily faded, and I'll make Sapper Robb's a bit neater, to add some contrast. No much difference, but this technique takes a while, lots of very dilute washes/glazes, which need a lot of drying time in between.

And I've just run out off Matt Glaze Medium....

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Cracking idea re the fading on one and not the other dennison. They're looking good so hurry up and get the glaze medium!

Cheers Simon
 
I've got the go ahead, so here's the other picture, from the right hand side.

events-second-world-war-wwii-netherlands-arnhem-17-2591944-soldiers-DB5AYP.jpg


It has really given me a much better look at their faces, especially Sapper Robb's face, and the amount of blood and dirt thats on it.
Hopefully my order of glaze medium will have arrived next week, so that I can get on with this one.
 
Nice picture, all the ones I've seen of this aspect of the operation, they may be beaten and captured but totally unbowed by the turn of events. Looking forward to seeing you cracking on with this.

Cheers Simon
 
Hi Henk

You thinking nicely regarding the smocks , looking good so far

Will you line in the seams as well ?

Enjoy and following with interest

Happy benchtime

Nap
 
Hi Henk

You thinking nicely regarding the smocks , looking good so far

Will you line in the seams as well ?

Enjoy and following with interest

Happy benchtime

Nap

No, the seams only show that light cotton when they are new, or very clean. Once they start to fade, or get dirty, the seams are not very prominent.
 
One serious lump of resin. But something says this is going to be one excellent looking piece work when finished. Keep up the good work.

Wayne


I hope so Wayne. I want to do this justice. Even if it means starting again...
 
8 bl88dy months.....:censored:

Well, time to put the big boy pants on, clear the desk, and get on with this project. I got a big bottle of Liquitex Acrylic Matte Medium. So, lets hope that it does what it says on the bottle, and have another go at the camouflage of the Denisons.
 
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