Colour Sgt. Bourne, Rorke's Drift, 1879, sorta...

[Canoehead]

Based on actor Nigel Green's character from the 1964 classic film, "Zulu", he "kinda sorta" represents the actual "Kid" Frank Bourne, who was awarded the DCM for his actions at Rorke's Drift. 1/10 scale from Mitches Military Models painted up in oils and acrylics.

 

[Richie]

Hi Brian,
Nice job, I like what you have done with him. Here are the medals of Bourne from photographed in Brecon museum and the ones from the film Zulu.
cheers
Richie

 

[MoboSchreuder]

Excellent work

Mobo

 

[Nap]

Hi Brian

Great to see another from you , I do like the helmet and the fleshtones on him , nice weathering on the uniform as well

Presume the flesh was in oils ? ......which colours did you use ?

Interesting to see the colour details of the ribbons from the film from Richie ( superb museum as well )

Why not vote in previous months FOTM as well as entering in the class of your choice in this months

Thanks for sharing

Look forward to seeing more

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[lightbob]

Great characterisation. Wish my attempts at faces came out half as well.
I enjoy Nigel Green's portrayal of Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne. When I first saw this film many years ago I did not realise that the real Bourne was only 23 at the time of the battle ,and was the youngest colour sergeant in The British Army. Bourne at that time I believe, did not have any medals/decorations. One of many inaccuracies in the film. A particular inaccuracy that caused an upset was the manner in which Pte. Hook was portrayed. In the film a dodger and keen on the drink, in real life he was a tea total lay preacher.
Although we live in more reflective times it is still for me a powerful film.

 

[NeilW]

(oops: posted after Lightbob's contribution)

Based on actor Nigel Green's character from the 1964 classic film, "Zulu", he "kinda sorta" represents the actual "Kid" Frank Bourne,

Nice piece except that Bourne was 24 at the time of Rorke's Drift (probably the youngest Col Sgt ever?) and if this photo is accurate in identifying him as the extreme left-hand person, he wore a full beard.


I suspect that he's also 2nd left on this one:


Can't find him on these?

(two halves of the same pic: note the mish-mash of clothing, including jumpers)



Nice biog here: The Heroes of Rorke’s Drift: Frank Bourne OBE, DCM – Redcoat History

 

[Babelfish]

A particular inaccuracy that caused an upset was the manner in which Pte. Hook was portrayed. In the film a dodger and keen on the drink, in real life he was a tea total lay preacher.
Although we live in more reflective times it is still for me a powerful film.

Apparently Hook's daughters (by then elderly ladies) walked out of the premiere in disgust when they saw how their dad was portrayed.

- Steve

 

[Canoehead]

Thanks all for the kind comments and the historical data on Bourne. Without changing the details too much, I did want to add a few details that may have been more representative of the uniforms worn at the time, even though the end result isn't "100% Bourne", especially in the correct decorations on the chest - none of my references seemed to match the ribbon shapes and colours 100%, so I fudged a bit there. So, in the end, let's say "70% Green, 20% Bourne and 10% Me". Great project to paint overall, and it gave me an excuse to watch the film again...and again...and...

 

[Canoehead]

Presume the flesh was in oils ? ......which colours did you use?

Hi Nap - flesh tones were in oils, to wit:

W&N Burnt Sienna, W&N Titanium White, Grumbacher Mars Brown, W&N Raw Umber, W&N Alizarin Crimson, W&N Permanent Rose

Cheers,
Brian

 

[KenBoyle]

Wonderful work Brian!

Cheers
Ken

 

[santi fernandez]

Really nice painted.

 

[Warren SMITH]

Very nice figure, are you planning on doing the other two in the series..

 

[Canoehead]

Very nice figure, are you planning on doing the other two in the series..

No plans in the near future, but with the quality of these busts, I sure wouldn't say no!