Completed Critique Bolshevik 1919 (250mm, CastleMiniatures)

[Martin Antonenko]

Re: Bolshevik 1917 (250mm, CastleMiniatures)

An up to now wonderfully painted bust! There I could become envious!

Only what annoys me is the title "Bolshevik 1917" under whom the bust is sold.

The bust shows not a "Bolshevik" ( a member of the Communist Party or a "Red Guard"), but a "Krasnoarmejez", a soldier of the new founded Red Army.

And "1917" also is not right, for the Red Army was founded in February 1918 and the cap - originally called "Bogatyrka" - was introduced on the 18th of December, 1918 by the "Revolutionary Council of War" in the Red Army.

The cap was handed first 1918/1919 to the soldiers of the Red Rider's Army of the later soviet marshal Semjon Budjonny, which is why for it the name "Budjonnowka" asserted itself.

The "Budjonnowka"-Cap was not liked, by the way, by the soldiers very much, because one could carry no helmet about it, the thin felt-drank warmed hardly, and the big red star made the bearer of this cap in combat an ideal target for the enemy.

Just my two cents.

 

[housecarl]

Re: Bolshevik 1917 (250mm, CastleMiniatures)

Headdress issues aside, still a superb piece of brushwork.
Carl.

 

[kaz6120]

Re: Bolshevik 1917 (250mm, CastleMiniatures)

Only what annoys me is the title "Bolshevik 1917" under whom the bust is sold.

The bust shows not a "Bolshevik" ( a member of the Communist Party or a "Red Guard"), but a "Krasnoarmejez", a soldier of the new founded Red Army.

And "1917" also is not right, for the Red Army was founded in February 1918 and the cap - originally called "Bogatyrka" - was introduced on the 18th of December, 1918 by the "Revolutionary Council of War" in the Red Army.

The cap was handed first 1918/1919 to the soldiers of the Red Rider's Army of the later soviet marshal Semjon Budjonny, which is why for it the name "Budjonnowka" asserted itself.

Thank you very much Martin, I will correct historical mistakes.

So by your opinion, "Krasnoamejez 1918" is the best title for this bust? I'm not sure but "Krasnoarmejez" is not so familiar word and I cannot find any information on the web...

Changing year is not a problem I can rewrite it easily, like "Bolshevik 1918 or 1919".

I cannnot find any good reference images of this cap so if someone know the good image resource, please let me know...

Thanks

 

[Alexander Zelenkov]

Re: Bolshevik 1917 (250mm, CastleMiniatures)

"Bolshevik" is correct name for this bust. Yes, "Krasnoarmeets" is more correct. But may be he is member of communistic party? They named (half-official, with heroic meaning) "Bolsheviki". But usually soldiers of Red Army in during Civil War named simple - "The Red". Correct name for this bust also can be "Red Commander" or "Red Commissar".
"Budenovka" was approve in army 8 April 1919. Overcoat should have colour tabs, but it is not obligatory details.

 

[Alexander Zelenkov]

Re: Bolshevik 1917 (250mm, CastleMiniatures)

Sorry, but I am forget note the perfect work with eyes and skintone.

 

[kaz6120]

Thank you very much for the info, Alexander!

I've changed the title "Bolshevik 1919".

and thank a lot for the reference images. They are really great reference resources.
Thanks for your compliments too!

--

I've found an image here.

http://www.imagestate.com/Preview/PreviewPage.aspx?id=2378502&pricing=true&licenseType=RM

http://www.13thguardspoltavaskaya.com/uniform.html

 

[Martin Antonenko]

"Bolshevik 1919" ist more correct, but better would be "Krasnoarmejez 1919") (Красноармеец 1919), for not all of the Red Army members were members of the Communist (Bolshevik) Party.

In team ranks (such as the bust) is likely only a minority of soldiers had also been a party member, because for the Red Army on the 29th May 1918 a general conscription for men between 18 and 40 years was introduced.

Surprisingly the percentage of the communists was also not especially high with troop commanders, because many former tsarist officers were put as "specialists".

The general staff of the Red Army existed at this time still almost exclusively of high and highest officers who had led great troop-associations already under the czar.

That's why the Red Army introduced the "double command" at all Hiererchie levels.
Every order of a commander (= officer) had to be confirmed by a rank-equal party-member (political commissioner/"Politruk")!

Cheers

 

[jimias]

As i told you before your style is unique and very impressive with the deep shadows you achieve. Keep us posted.

 

[kaz6120]

Thank you very much for your comments, ALEX, Mike M, Grant (Sorry for slow reply, guys), Martin, Carl B, Alexander, and Dimitrios, my friends!

I'm glad to know more about this bust, special thanks to Martin and Alexander.

Also I'm glad to hear some of you say "unique" (you meant good meaning I hope).

I couldn't have enough time today too so sorry for small progress...I added some highlights and a little bit of green on shadows. Jo Sonja acrylics work perfect for me, I'm getting used to it now.

 

[billyturnip]

Nice painting Kaz and here's some pics.

Roger.

 

[Edorta]

Hello friends.In this book that I have for many years there are two soldiers, effectively with this hat in 1919. Red Star is characteristic of the infantry and the orange is from the artillery, cavalry blue, black for the engineers, pale blue for aircraft and so on. Maybe it would be appropriate to call this bust simply "Red Army soldier"?

http://www.mininet.tv/egminiatures.html

 

[Martin Antonenko]

Looks pretty good, the Budjonnowka!

The top of the cap was, by the way, no decoration but should - like also the german "Pickelhaube" - from above coming saber slashes at the side allow to slip.

The small star on the cap was always red.
The big star varied according to the military branch colours, as introduced at 16. January 1919. Here some examples...:

The branch colours 1919 were:

Infantry: Red
Cavalry: Blue
Artillery: Orange
Engeneers and medical service: Black
Military Administration: Dark Green
Border Guards: Light Green
Air Force: Light Blue

Now you have the free choice to which troop unit you would like to assign your bust.


Cheers

 

[kaz6120]

Roger, Eduardo, Martin, thank you very much for giving great references. They are really great help.

Here is the current status. Almost finishing face and movin' onto uniforms.

 

[Edorta]

Kaz, Bravo!, The more I look, the more I like. Also, I think these new photos looks better.
Cheers.

http://www.mininet.tv/egminiatures.html

 

[kaz6120]

Thanks for your compliments, Eduardo!

This time I took photos with Digital SLR Camera instead of iPhone 3GS which I always use.

 

[housecarl]

Looks superb as it is Kaz.
Carl.

 

[kaz6120]

Thank you very much for your compliments, Carl!

I've finished painting for now.

Any comments are always welcomed.

 

[smudger1960]

Super painting of the eyes,they look so real,nice work also on the rest of the figure,this should look stunning when its finished,i'll be following this one

Brian

 

[kaz6120]

Thanks for your compliments Brian!

 

[smudger1960]

Apollogies kaz,i thought it was still work in progress ,you have achieved a wonderful job,it looks so real and lifelike

Brian