WIP Critique Capitaine Bonaparte 1793

[gazer]

Hello all,

Following the assistance I got in a previous thread, I finally got my MM Bonaparte Officier D'artillerie.

I started by filing the mold seams. Most of them are delicate and easy to remove. However, I struggle with an unsightly seam just in the posterior part of the crotch/front aspect of the turnbacks (see pic). Would love to read your advice.

Also, any help with reference to revolutionary artillery uniforms would be appreciated, as some of the pictures I saw on the net are somewhat conflicting. Among other issues, I would like to ask if omitting the metal gorget seen in some of the pics (and not molded in the MM figure) is "legit"?

Best,

Benny

 

[Nap]

Hi Benny

Nice to see you got this figure

Regarding the seam ...I would try and fire it off and then use putty to rework if needed

As for the gorget .....normally worn but I don't think it's unreasonable to leave it off ..but this is Bonaparte so I would add !!

Look forward to seeing more on this

Happy benchtime

Nap

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[Nap]

These might help

Nap

 

[gazer]

Thanks Nap!

I was not familiar with the upper left plate. As of now, these are the "rivet counting" issues I have to decide on:
1. Gorget - I think I'll omit it. The completed figure will be a gift (more on that when completed). I don't have the skills to reproduce it nicely enough, and I need to progress in a timely manner.
2. Color of the collar - It seem the the outer side of the collar is blue with red piping, and only when folded out, a full red color is seen (see two bottom photos VS upper right photo)
3. Color of the turnback - similarly to the collar issue: are they blue with red piping or red altogether ?

I know that most of these issues are important mostly to calm my OCD, but if it is possible to achieve concrete information, that could be nice

Thank you very much

Benny

 

[Viking Bob]

If you are ever stuck take a look at the MM site, great resource of the painted figure.

 

[gazer]

Thanks Bob!

The frontal and back pictures actually come printed on a card supplied with the figure. The half turned pictures are new to me and are great. Maybe I should stop being a smart*#s and just go with the box-art...

Cheers,

Benny

 

[Nap]

Thanks Bob!

The frontal and back pictures actually come printed on a card supplied with the figure. The half turned pictures are new to me and are great. Maybe I should stop being a smart*#s and just go with the box-art...

Cheers,

Benny

LOL

I would go with the red edging on the collar and use the box art as reference

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[gazer]

Hey all,

An update with my usual super-slow pace:
1. Finished prepping the figure with files, epoxy putty, gray automotive primer (I like the Dupli-color spray), further filing and sanding where needed, etc.
2. A final coat of the gray primer and on top a zenithal layer of Tamiya's white fine surface primer. It gives a subtle effect which is not as dramatic as seen in some of the videos or SBS articles out there, but it was the first time I try something like that, and I was happy with the results
3. Acrylic base coat for the face, eyes, and first, second and third highlights

That's it for now... Thanks for watching. Feedback for improvement is always welcome!

 

[gazer]

Hello friends,

Today I had some progress with my Napoleon, and I call the face finished.
I learned a lot in the process and have some insights and areas for improvements, but will implement them in other figures to come. The hair and bicorne are blocked in black, mainly to frame the face. All in Vallejo acrylics so far.
As always, ALL feedback is welcome!

Have a pleasant and productive weekend

Benny

 

[grenadier]

That face is really good.
You have followed the lines of the sculpt and
Captured his serious facial expression.
A bit of subtle high highlight and deep shadow here and there
Would give the face even more life,but I think that it’s fine as it is.l

 

[gazer]

That face is really good.
You have followed the lines of the sculpt and
Captured his serious facial expression.
A bit of subtle high highlight and deep shadow here and there
Would give the face even more life,but I think that it’s fine as it is.l

Thank you Grenadier for the comment!

 

[gazer]

Hello planeteers,

Another small step with Napoleon. I was not happy with the face when re-examining the figure and it's pictures. The shadows seemed to harsh for me and made him look older, especially when viewed by the naked eye. I decided to soften and lighten them, and it went much quicker than I anticipated. I am happy with the face now.
The time was spent to finish his bicorn and hair. Please share your comments and insights!

Cheers,

Benny

 

[Airkid]

Nice work Benny. I think the face is now much improved. Watching with interest!

Phil

 

[gazer]

Nice work Benny. I think the face is now much improved. Watching with interest!

Phil

Hey Phil,

Thank you for the encouraging comment!

Benny

 

[gazer]

Some more progress with Capt. Bonaparte - I have sort of a deadline, but more about that when I finish him.
I more or less completed the uniform color + red facings and piping.
It is not too important for me (nor practical IMO for late 18th century fabrics) to be 100% precise about the color, but trying my best to achieve the blue I had in mind by mixing available acrylics I had, led me to decide to dive deeper in the future into color mixing by using limited acrylic palette of good quality primary colors, as the other option is to acquire endless color bottles, which is totally ok, but less so for me.
I also attached the figure to its base and expanded the foundations for the groundwork with some magic-sculpt .

As always, all feedback is welcome

Benny

 

[Airkid]

Nice work so far Benny. I like your idea about using a limited palette. It's nice to have "go-to" colours in the rack, but I find I can end up with a whole batch that don't get used much, if at all.

Phil

 

[gazer]

Nice work so far Benny. I like your idea about using a limited palette. It's nice to have "go-to" colours in the rack, but I find I can end up with a whole batch that don't get used much, if at all.

Phil

Thanks Phil

This is exactly how I feel. I think the ability to mix colors and achieve the tone and value you have in mind for a certain hue gives you flexibility and freedom without having to purchase a whole bottle for potentially a once in a lifetime use of a single drop of paint.

 

[gazer]

Some (minor) progress:
A bit of work few weeks ago and again yesterday: buttons, epaulettes, other gold emroidery.
Still to do: boots, gloves, sword, base, small corrections and touch-ups (spots where paint scratched-off and where some gold landed in undesired places).
Please, your honest feedback!

Cheers,

Benny

 

[gazer]

Had some progress, but would like to share my work on the sword:

1. white primer (Tamiya spray) for the handle and knot, black primer (Rustoleum spray) for the scabbard
2. Scabbard in Vallejo black-gray. Tip in gold extracted from a water soluble golden felt marker, vallejo sepia wash in the end
3. Handle in Vallejo gold with highlights drybrushed with a mix of Vallejo gold + flat yellow + white
4. Knot in a base cote of Vallejo burnt umber, than successive coats of yellow ochre, sand yellow, flat yellow.
5. Sepia wash over handle and knot
6. Off white+ivory for the part under the folding guard

Hope you like it. All comments are welcome

Cheers,

Benny

 

[gazer]

Capt. Bonaparte is completed!
But before photos of the actual finished figure, few words about the background for this work. I mentioned in a post from back in February that I have a sort of a deadline: You can see the photo of my wife's niece below and in this thread, taken by an IDF spokesperson photographer, from way back in her basic training in the IDF artillery.

Few months ago she completed her training as an artillery officer. I wanted her to draw inspiration and encouragement from the most famous artillery officer in history. I am well past her graduation ceremony (and the self imposed deadline), but better late than never I assume... I will present it to her soon.
The plate contains a dedication for her. It translates: "Dear xxx, Napoleon also started his career in the artillery. Captain Bonaparte, the siege of Tulon, 1793"
Base by s-73 - excellent service, excellent product, excellent price!

I would appreciate your comments

Cheers,

Benny