WIP FeR Miniatures Colour Sergeant 28th Foot

[Windy]

Afternoon all, and apologies for my lengthy absence! This wee chap has been staring reproachfully at me from my workbench for over a year and I finally got around to putting some paint on a couple of days ago. There were a couple of alterations to be made first - trimming off excess lace on wings and cuffs, adding rear pocket detail to the skirt of his jacket, and sculpting a French calfskin backpack. I need to make a new shako plume too now as the original has been eaten by the carpet monster! Progress so far - face done with enamels, base layers on the rest of him done in acrylics. Main body is ready for shading, highlighting and details but I'm moving on to his arms and various accoutrements.

Windy

 

[Wings5797]

Hurah someone who agrees with me that that war torn British Infantry in the 19th century did not wear vibrant scarlet jackets.
Very nice start Windy. His head flesh tones are well mixed and painted on very well.
I are looking forward to seeing this fellow grow.
Good work
Keith

 

[Windy]

Thanks for the comments Keith! And I quite agree. His jacket will obviously end up a bit lighter after highlighting but that's as red as he's going to get! The cloth for sergeants' jackets was of better quality than that for the other ranks but they were still dyed with madder and were definitely not bright scarlet. I'll hopefully update later on tonight.

Windy

 

[Cannonball]

Great start Windy. This is a cracking figure, have you got the drummer to go with it?

 

[Windy]

Thanks mate. No I haven't. This is my first foray into large scale figures for thirty years. One step at a time!

 

[clrsgt]

Off to a good start. I completely agree that the red coats of the rankers were not a brilliant red color and that Sergeants had a better quality jacket and likely somewhat brighter in color, but not as bright as the officer's scarlet coats. I am still trying to find the right color mix to approximate the madder red color of the rankers and sergeants.

 

[Nap]

Hi Windy

Good to have you posting again ...nice work in the uniform colour , it's a great piece and you are doing it justice

Thanks for sharing

Nap

 

[Windy]

Cheers Nap! Good to be back in the saddle again. I agree, it's a cracking sculpt. But it's my first large scale figure for thirty years so I just hope I continue to do it justice!

Clrsgt. Thanks mate. Madder red is a tricky one. I've used a base coat of Humbrol brick red - more a muddy brown really - and then a layer of bright red on top. I'll be highlighting with a pinkish mix of red and flesh. Shadows probably chocolate brown, verging on almost black for the deeper ones. I think you can't go far wrong if you end up with a dusty dull red. Though given exposure to the elements and the vagaries of 19th century dyes, almost anything between terracotta and a purplish brown could be technically correct!

I might get another update in tonight but seeing as I've only just got home I might have a night off with a bottle of decent red wine and some crap telly!

Cheers all,

Windy

 

[JonH]

Hi Windy.
I use the same Humbrol brick red matt 100 undercoat with cadmium red plus a touch of Van Dyke brown for base.
He's looking good. Does it make a nice change for you to be able to see what you're painting?
Jon

 

[Windy]

Hahaha! Thanks Jon! Yes it does. Though mistakes are easier to hide on the wee fellas.

 

[Viking Bob]

Nice one Windy, you cannot go wrong with this sculpt, good to see you back.

 

[Windy]

Cheers Bob! I'm getting there. It's a beautiful sculpt with some really fine detail. Even at this scale and using magnifying glasses it's straining my eyes! Should be able to post an update later this evening though.

 

[Windy]

Update time. Still a fair bit to do but I'm definitely getting there! Time for scoff now though - homemade ruby and a bottle of Tiger. Proper job!

 

[clrsgt]

Looking good. Thanks for the color mixes Windy and Jon.

 

[Windy]

Finished him! My first attempt at a large scale figure for nearly thirty years and my first ever in resin. First using acrylics too! It's a beautiful sculpt and I'm quite happy with the result. He will get a decent base eventually.

 

[Wings5797]

Very well done Windy.
As I said your colour mixes are ideal for a soldier on campaign
Keith

 

[Windy]

Thanks mate! I need to learn how to take decent pictures next. With the flash they're over-exposed, and without it they're rather dark. Can't seem to find a happy medium!

 

[Wings5797]

The very best I have found is to defuse the light from the flash.......unless you want to buy lights etc.
My easiest is to take some white card and fix or hold it at an angle in front of the flash. The theory is that the angled flash will bounce off of the ceiling and take the harsh light from the the figure. Mess around with the idea, card colour etc.
There are some great tutorials here on PF and you tube too.
Keith

 

[Windy]

I managed to finally get some decent pictures in natural light which show the colours as they actually are. Now I need to find a Rifleman in the same scale to balance him out!

 

[megroot]

looks good.

Marc