Highlander Piper

[Carl Edward Sambrook]

 

[Carl Edward Sambrook]

Sorry became confused and posted picture prior to writing anything, any advice on what I can do to make my figures better then please feel free to comment

 

[megroot]

As I'm working on the bust of this figure at the moment i take the opportunity to make some comments. If you paint some kind of Tartan on the Drone "ribbon" I think you have to paint Tartan on the bagpipe to.
I've never seen a picture of a bagpipe without Tartan when the ribbon's are in taran. But that's only my observation, and I'm not a bagpiper. Hopefully Don, or Keith can jump in to relay my comment.
Further I find that you paint him great.

Marc

 

[Carl Edward Sambrook]

Hello Megroot, thank you for your kind comments, I served with the Highlanders whilst I was in the Army and asked a few of the pipers if the bag would have been in a bag covering the tartan and they said that sometimes this did happen, so for ease of painting I decided to have the bag covered.

 

[megroot]

That will clear things up. If I read about the bag the uncovered bag is made from a synthetic material or animal. So it's impossible to have that in a Tartan. If I understand your writing you covered the Tartan......but following the articles on the WWW about the bagpipes the cover is the Tartan.
My conclusion is that you paint a uncovered bag.
Another question should they have ribbons on the dromes instead of cords if the bag whas covered?????
Anyway i'm a novice on the pipes so any explanation is welcome.

Marc

 

[DEL]

For me the only thing you need to push the painting to another level is increasing depth.
To illustrate, two areas that I think would benefit from more shading and blending are the kilt apron where I think more 'shadow' would pay dividends particularly at the hem of the jacket. The other area is the moustache and eyebrows, fair hair is always very difficult to paint and here it looks as if you could add a lot more in the way of shades.
Finally it is a fine piece of work and should be on a decent wooden plinth to show it off.
Cheers
Derek

 

[Carl Edward Sambrook]

Del, thanks for the advice, I do indeed wish to raise my standard of painting, so any advice are taken on board. The model is also now on a plinth with a Gordon capbadge, which was kindly donated by a friend of mine in the Highlanders here in Fallingbostel.

 

[blaster]

Hello Carl,
Just a comment. This appears to be a large scale figure. As such, I notice that the khaki colour used on the tunic and leggings have a little shine, unlike the rest of the clothing.

Rgds Victor

 

[Don]

Carl I think your figure of the Piper is super. I would'nt worry about the ribbons being in tartan, as you know the Scots are a very proud people and would show off their regimental colours whereever they could. In WW1 and most wars the bag would be inside a khaki bag rather than a tartan one but often tartan would show on the ribbon. Remember a sniper would not shoot a piper, (unless he didnt like the music) certainly not easy if he can just see a flash of tartan on a drone.
A good plinth with a Gordon capbadge would set it off nicely, can we see the mounted figure once finished.
Fallingbostel, that has a fine old Highland name to it!

Don

 

[Mirofsoft]

This, for me, is already showing great skills

 

[MCPWilk]

What are the three horizontal stripes above his right sleeve cuff meant to signify?

Mike

 

[Ventress]

Battle flashes, ref to battalion within a brigade. i.e 52nd Division.

 

[tonydawe]

Carl,

As Del said, I think you can improve your painting by pushing the shadows a bit more and increasing the level of contrast. Greater contrast will make some of the surface details on your figures "pop" a bit more and enhance the 3D effect. It may seem a bit unnatural to start with, but if you look at the way most figure painters are painting these days, you will see that a high level of contrast can look very realistic and artistic at the same time. The keys to improvement is persistence and patience.

 

[ChaosCossack]

I must also agree with Del and Tony... but mostly with regards to the apron. the tunic is nicely done as far as shading but the apron comes off a tad flat. I'd suggest deeper shadowing beneath the tunic skirts, in the drapery folds and around the front pouch. Beyond that, maybe a little weathering and extending the groundwork onto the base... I think you have a really decent figure here.
I like the idea of the capbadge on the plinth... I did the same mounting the "Death or Glory" skull and bones badge on a 17th Lancer figure and was very happy with the effect.

Cheers

Colin

 

[MCPWilk]

Battle flashes, ref to battalion within a brigade. i.e 52nd Division.

I had thought that divisional and other distinguishing marks were worn at the top, not bottom, of the sleeve.

Mike

 

[billyturnip]

Also worn on the back of the tunic beneath the collar in some units Mike.

Roger

 

[fabrizio1969]

appreciate in particular tha face and facial expression,very expressive,waith for see tha kilt,i mean is a very difficult........

 

[Ventress]

I had thought that divisional and other distinguishing marks were worn at the top, not bottom, of the sleeve.

Mike

They were worn where ever the Divisional Commander wished, back of jacket, helmet, lower arms etc.