WIP Critique Finished but not finished...

[Floydie64]

Finishing up this 120mm Mitches Military Models 33rd Regt. figure, all in acrylics.
I'm new to Napoleonic figures, much more comfortable in the world of 1/35 WWII figures, but I was really drawn to this figure and pose, so decided to give it a try.

My main issues:

#1) My treatment of the scarlet tunic needs more, but I'm just not sure how to approach it. I've painted in the folds, both deeper and shallower with varying darker shades of the Vallejo Scarlet. I need to vary in some highlights, but not sure what mix to use. Any suggestions?

#2) I'm also unsure how to approach weathering. I'm not too enamored with the parade ground appearance the figure currently has, but I don't want to overdo the weathering. Any suggestions on how I should handle this?

 

[Waterlooman]

Excellent Work - really nice.
W.

 

[Viking Bob]

Nice painting of the red, although I don't tend to highlight reds as it always looks odd. I have used a flesh mixed in but it does not look right. Try deeper shade with burnt umber acrylic. As for weathering, I have used various shades of pastel chalks, which I have ground to a powder and brushed on. I have also used weathering powders and mud effects sold in small bottles ( Ak interactive).
Hope this helps.

 

[Nap]

Hi there

Nice looking figure , for me the jkt looks too bright ...at least for a private , wise words from Bob ref the reds

I do like your painting style , good work on the lace and the flesh

Weathering....pastels are good or even the wife's make up powders !

Look forward to seeing what you do with this if anything

Thanks for sharing

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Briggsy]

I'm with you on the larger figures, a bit daunting. One method I use to highlight red is Vallejo Amaranth Red (70.829), it's actually a strong orange that is fairly opaque. Add this sparingly in glazes to the tops of what you want to highlight, after 24hrs or so a very localised wash of your original red where you applied the Amaranth Red. Depending on your wash, one coat might be enough but more can be added if needed, this brings the original red back but lighter than it was. Hope this helps.

Cheers Simon

 

[WarhammerAdjacent]

Lovely work here, a really lovely rendition of the figure. I am planning on doing either this or the bust at some point, I can't decide which.

Weathering is a real challenge. In theory his uniform should be relatively fresh by the standards of the period, not the pinkish, faded, washed out red of the peninsular. On the other hand, he's been rained on and tramping through mud. It might be worth adding some mud around his boots, spattering up his legs to convey this. That said, it would potentially be less aesthetically pleasing. Maybe some dust to convey ingrained dirt?
Sorry, totally unhelpful, you've got me thinking about my possible future project.

 

[Rob]

Always difficult to ask a "How should I....?" on a forum like this as painting is a very personal thing, even 2 people who adopt the same technique will not do it the same way.

You have a very neat and clean painting style and I like the low contrast shading you have there, that is something I have tried and failed to get to work. But like Nap I think your tunic is too bright and much too saturated, other ranks tunics were a dull almost brick red, only officers got scarlet cloth.
I would not highlight it any further, but rather desaturate the red by moderating it all with glazes of very dilute mix of red and black green. Let the existing highlights soften a bit and darken the tone of the rest of the tunic around them.

Weathering is a difficult decision, personally I would leave heavy weathering to diorama or story vignette pieces, for a single figure a light dusting of weathering powder (MIG or AK) around the boots and lower leg and no more.

 

[MalcC]

What you have done so far, is excellent.

Malc

 

[clubcat]

For info Grenadier of the 87th Reg't, Napoleonic. I believed the wearer was captured an the jacket stored, hence little to no fading. Wool dyed with madder up to corporal.

Mel

 

[clubcat]

Sorry file not attached