Completed Carabinier - after Detaille

[Paul Handley]

Got to admit to being guilty of the resin crime, just posted one tonight, but I have more white plastic on my desk than anything else. Another really good show to the North is the Darlington Sword and Lance show, a good bit further north I grant you but a good show none the less.

There is a huge amount of talent in this country, it's a shame it is not more evident at shows, where as you say tanks and things predominate. There is also a vast pool of talent among fantasy, Sci fi and gaming pieces, so long as the hobby continues I guess subject matter will change depend on younger generations and their choices.

Cheers Simon

Coming back to the hobby after a couple of decades, what has most surprised me is the sheer quality of modern figures. I know some of it has a digital helping hand but I still think some of the newer sculpting is absolutely staggering - even if it is resin. I can’t imagine I’ll want to paint stock figures because conceiving something original is part of the process for me but as a benchmark and an inspiration for my own sculpting I’ll keep a very beady eye on what’s being produced.

The fantasy and sci-fi stuff isn’t really my thing but anything that encourages people to develop their creativity and imagination and make real things out of real stuff, with their hands, in the real world instead virtual stuff on screens and gadgets has got to be a great thing. The problem is that developing any skill to a good standard is really difficult compared to the immediate, push button perfection digital devices offer - given that, it’s very encouraging to see so much lovely work - by some very talented (and persevering) people still going on.

 

[Paul Handley]

Paul, congratulations on your award at FW North. Your two figures were my favourite pieces at the show.

Thanks very much - I saw your comment on my thread on the White Rose FB page and was flattered to say the least - thank you - that’s very encouraging.

 

[Paul Handley]

Congratulations Paul. I'm not surprised or astonished by your deserved win. Wonderful work, beautifully executed, stunning attention to detail.
Melanie

Thanks Melanie - that’s kind of you.

 

[Paul Handley]

Hi Paul

Many Congratulations on the award for 2 excellent pieces , there’s more legs between them than I’ve ever done ! ......stunning presentation on both

.....I love seeing the Historex builds here on PF and on Social Media ( be great to see more from that group here ....we could easily have a dedicated Historex part )

Look forward to normal viewing service returning on the Carabinier

Have fun and Happy Historex

Nap

Thanks Nap - it’d be nice to see a bit of renewed interest in Historex and a bit more chopping up and sculpting - what with the standard of modern stock figures though it’s a bit like Ringo Starr taking one of his songs into the studio and being confronted with ‘Yesterday’. . . alright, we’ll do your’s.

The Carabinier is now at the i dotting and t crossing stage and I’ll post him up on his (imminent) completion.

 

[Merryweather]

Congratulations Paul, well deserved.
Your modesty does you great credit because you have a great talent.
As you know, I am of the same mind regarding painting stock figures; I love the process of creating something of my own, even though (unlike yours)the end result will clearly be inferior to that of better sculptors and painters .
Looking forward to seeing the Carabinier finished and to your next work of art.

 

[Briggsy]

Coming back to the hobby after a couple of decades, what has most surprised me is the sheer quality of modern figures. I know some of it has a digital helping hand but I still think some of the newer sculpting is absolutely staggering - even if it is resin. I can’t imagine I’ll want to paint stock figures because conceiving something original is part of the process for me but as a benchmark and an inspiration for my own sculpting I’ll keep a very beady eye on what’s being produced.

The fantasy and sci-fi stuff isn’t really my thing but anything that encourages people to develop their creativity and imagination and make real things out of real stuff, with their hands, in the real world instead virtual stuff on screens and gadgets has got to be a great thing. The problem is that developing any skill to a good standard is really difficult compared to the immediate, push button perfection digital devices offer - given that, it’s very encouraging to see so much lovely work - by some very talented (and persevering) people still going on.

The hobby will evolve as time goes by, but the talent will still shine through no matter the subject matter or medium. So long as the hobby survives I'll be content.

Cheers Simon

 

[Paul Handley]

I got the pistol holsters, pistols and covers on the horse this evening and worked on the groundwork - the Russian helmet and musket need a bit more snow to bed them in as will the drum when I’ve painted the back of it. I’ve also got some UV resin and some ‘liquid frost’ (whatever will they think of next?) for icicles and extra Russian chillyness. The figure needs a repaint on his boots - thanks to a dog, and then I’m nearly done.

 

[Nap]

Hi Paul

Love that pistol work , the covers look really good ....the whole saddle and horse just tops

A Winner in any comp for me

Look forward to seeing the final bits and pics in the Completed Forum

Have fun @ the bench

Nap

 

[Tecumsea]

I must admit Paul that when we met at éasingwold l hadn't made the connection with these posts. Hopefully you will be able join us at the club now more frequently. The white rose club is pretty unique in that is 99% figures and attracts modellers from far and wide. I also go to sword and lance at Darlington so you will be welcome to travel with us for the day in 2025 if you wish. Will be in touch soon if you want to come up to éasingwold next month on the 13th.

Keith

 

[Merryweather]

Beautiful work Paul

 

[Briggsy]

Wow, your attention to detail is mind blowing, it has never crossed my mind to hollow out the holsters and add pistols. Every time I see this you have raised the bar, your patience must be limitless.

Cheers Simon

 

[MalcC]

Excellent detailing.

Malc

 

[blaster]

Oh Wow!

rgds Victor

 

[Paul Handley]

Wow, your attention to detail is mind blowing, it has never crossed my mind to hollow out the holsters and add pistols. Every time I see this you have raised the bar, your patience must be limitless.

Cheers Simon

I think I’m more stubborn more than patient. The pistol holsters were one of the reasons this project took so long - a significant proportion of it was scratch built and I had three or four goes at everything before I had something I liked - plus the first couple of months I used Milliput which just kept crumbling and collapsing and then the Duro didn’t work out either, except on the helmet chenille.

The Magic Sculpt really is magic and the whole project started to move forward once I was using that. I also discovered that a very tiny dab of superglue fixes the putty where you want it so you don’t end up chasing it round the figure for an hour before getting it to anchor. Anyway, I banked a lot of experience and hopefully the next builds will be a bit quicker - the horse artillery gunner has gone swimmingly so far - although I don’t want to tempt fate. I think I’m also going invest in a punch and die set too so that button making isn’t quite such a lottery.

 

[Tommy Atkins]

Evening Paul. I love how this is turning out...just top drawer stuff in every respect. Seriously impressed! Regards Pete

 

[Paul Handley]

I must admit Paul that when we met at éasingwold l hadn't made the connection with these posts. Hopefully you will be able join us at the club now more frequently. The white rose club is pretty unique in that is 99% figures and attracts modellers from far and wide. I also go to sword and lance at Darlington so you will be welcome to travel with us for the day in 2025 if you wish. Will be in touch soon if you want to come up to éasingwold next month on the 13th.

Keith

Hi Keith - yep, it’s me. I’d be very interested in going up on the 13th - Sword and Lance sounds good too. See you soon hopefully.

 

[Waterlooman]

Amazing work - beyond words the talent on display.

W.

 

[NigelR]

Stunning work all round, this is going to be very, very good when finished.

 

[elanlane13]

Paul, a punch and die set is a good investment. It speeds things up and regular circle shapes are more accurate.
Would it be possible for you to post one of your pics on the Thumbnail option rather than the full size. This would give members an idea of what the excellent level of detail you add looks like in the flesh.

 

[Briggsy]

I think I’m more stubborn more than patient. The pistol holsters were one of the reasons this project took so long - a significant proportion of it was scratch built and I had three or four goes at everything before I had something I liked - plus the first couple of months I used Milliput which just kept crumbling and collapsing and then the Duro didn’t work out either, except on the helmet chenille.

The Magic Sculpt really is magic and the whole project started to move forward once I was using that. I also discovered that a very tiny dab of superglue fixes the putty where you want it so you don’t end up chasing it round the figure for an hour before getting it to anchor. Anyway, I banked a lot of experience and hopefully the next builds will be a bit quicker - the horse artillery gunner has gone swimmingly so far - although I don’t want to tempt fete. I think I’m also going invest in a punch and die set too so that button making isn’t quite such a lottery.

Stubbornness is a good trait yo have, my eldest son has just finished the London to Brighton cycle race, his training was getting his bike serviced. He did that not on fitness but pure Stubbornness for the last several years.

I think there is a pretty big streak.of perfectionist in your DNA though which is a great asset in this hobby. Enjoy Sword & Lance, not attended since the 90's but it was a good show even back then.

Cheers Simon