Matt Springer's Napoleon Bust now available

[Kirtles]

I have just loaded the new Michael Miniatures release to my site - this the eagerly anticipated Napoleon at his coronation in 1804.

There are also a couple of other busts that I have brought over as well which are also very nice - Joseph II, Emperor of Austria & Catherine the Great of Russia.

Please have a look. Thanks.

Steve
www.skminiatures.co.uk

 

[Martin Antonenko]

Hi Kirtles,

thanks for showing.

In my opinion, there's a great difference between those two Nappi-Busts:

The left one looks like Napoleon, the other one shows someone else, but not the emperor.

Greetings

 

[MattS]

Here are some pics of the bust after the painting was complete.

Painted in acrylics and some oils and inks for the metal bits.

Matt

 

[rheath]

Mats I like it very much, have to disagree with Martin I have to say, how far can one go with the likeness, very nicely painted and a must have for the bust fundi.

Thanks for posting, RobH

 

[Martin Antonenko]

Sorry Mates, I remain with my opinion. The face of the bust has no resemblance to Napoleon:

Greetings

 

[IIICorps]

...Sorry Mates, I remain with my opinion. The face of the bust has no resemblance to Napoleon...

I agree. I admire the sculpting and painting talents displayed, but the likeness is not Napoleon.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Both pix are of the same Napoleon bust so evidently the angle of viewing is important. Irrespective of the bust's likeness, I don't think the painted portrait posted above is a particularly good likeness of him.

Colin

 

[Roman]

Here ie a good example how painting can change things. Ademola's young Napoleon - sculpting has very good likeness while after painting it looks different.

 

[IIICorps]

Here ie a good example how painting can change things. Ademola's young Napoleon - sculpting has very good likeness while after painting it looks different.

I agree. Unpainted, it's a very good likeness.

 

[Kirtles]

Thanks Matt for your post with more pictures. I think it's a great likeness personally - well done!

There are many different portraits & you can compare & contrast until you drive yourself mad. Having never met him in person, it's difficult to say much more.

 

[Guy]

Here ie a good example how painting can change things. Ademola's young Napoleon - sculpting has very good likeness while after painting it looks different.

I also agree with Roman. You can see a vast difference after the paint is applied and can change the whole look of a figure / bust. Thanks for the additional example Roman.

Matt - Excellent sculpting Matt. Great likeness to the painting.

 

[MattS]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I personally tend to agree that the likeness is not a "classic interpretation" of what we recognize as Napoleon but then, most of the photos I used for reference differed from one another, too. There! Rationalization made...ego saved. ;-)

Painting always changes things as the volumes can be redefined with shading and highlighting. I would attribute some of the change in the painted likeness to my failure to properly define the facial volumes as well as I probably should have done. Chalk it up to learning and apply it to the next piece.

I hope you'll enjoy the bust for what it is, though. Thanks!

Matt

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Matt - Its actually very well sculpted and could not be anyone but Napoleon given the overall impression. And very classy of you not to take offense at people's comments questioning the likeness, as many others would.

Colin

 

[Roman]

Max,personaly I think your bust is outstanding, it's great. I admire your sculpting and painting talent. I mentioned about Ademola's Napoleon bust just to show the problem that can apear when painting a figure/bust and nothing more. Both, your sculpting and painting are of the highest quality.

 

[Roman]

Sorry for writing your name wrong. I have three Max's in my family and that's probably why I've made this mistake.

 

[Einion]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I personally tend to agree that the likeness is not a "classic interpretation" of what we recognize as Napoleon but then, most of the photos I used for reference differed from one another, too. There! Rationalization made...ego saved. ;-)

Painting always changes things as the volumes can be redefined with shading and highlighting. I would attribute some of the change in the painted likeness to my failure to properly define the facial volumes as well as I probably should have done. Chalk it up to learning and apply it to the next piece.

Nicely put

Einion

 

[Kirtles]

Well put Matt.

Roman - I also like your version a lot (as you know).

Steve
www.skminiatures.co.uk

 

[tonydawe]

Matt, you're a class act.

 

[rej]

Matt, you're the man!!!

Great Sculptor.......
Great Painter........

Its not that everyone can accept this "direct constructive critism" unfortunetly.......but you are so great a person that you had the insight to know, that whoever raised the question re likeness, was not attacking you personally, but was reacting on the spur of what he saw............some others may have come to defend themselves with all guns blazing and attacking that poor individual personally..........but you reasoned like a true gentleman, and I salute you!!!

Keep the putty rolling and the paint flowing!!!!!! Our hobby needs people like you at all times and all seasons!!!!!!!!!

Ray