Napoleon dreaming WIP

[Clarence1]

Hi folks,

Here is my new project. It is based on a painting by Adolphe Roehn, "Bivouac de Napoleon sur le champ de bataille de Wagram, dans la nuit du 5 au 6 Juillet 1809".

Here is the pic

This is Andrea 54mm S7-F36, Napoleon at Borodino 1812.

So the basic idea would be to paint this figure using the light of a close wood fire at Napoleon's feet. I'm using the painting as a reference. I'm gonna try to use mainly some yellow, orange, red, blue and black.

Here are the first pics of this afternoon painting session. The paint is oil and it is still wet.

Comments and ideas are welcome. I still have to figure how I'm gonna paint the fire and if I'm gonna use some lightning effect like a red led in the fire.

Clarence

 

[housecarl]

Great idea, I can see where you are coming from. It will be better once you have done more. There's a similar idea on here using a brazier, in WW2 setting. Found it.
Carl.

 

[megroot]

Looks a great start.
You made things very complicated. But i think it will work....
Looking forward to your next step.

Marc

 

[Clarence1]

I know this look like a mess for the moment. It is just the beginning.

I was not sure if I should have used acrylic. Probably it would have been easier for this project.

As for making thing complicated, I know there should be a better way to do this but since it is my first time using source of light to get the color, I don't care trying something new. I'm taking my time on this one.

The fire on the base will give a good idea why the color is yellow orange and red.

And if the result isn't good, I will paint it the normal way.

I guess trying new things make this hobby interesting.

Thanks for your comments

 

[Bluesking]

Interesting start, I look forward to watching it progress It would make an excellent box diorama

 

[Clarence1]

Here is a bit of work of this morning. It is hard to do all the different highlights and shadows.

The problem I got right now is that I want to give a good mood that he is asleep but in a deep state. The fire is a great source of heat and it is something pleasant to fall asleep near a fire like that. So I want a really warm color and I want also the cold from the dark behind him. I want the people to feel the heat and have the impression that he is comfortable.

So here the pics of the work of this morning.

 

[1969]

I really like the idea behind this and i look forward to seeing the final result, i agree you have to try new things to move along with the hobby.

Steve

 

[billyturnip]

Bon courage Clarence. It is a good idea and although it may prove difficult there is no reason why it shouldn't work and if it does it will be a very good piece, all the effort will be worth it. keep us posted.

Roger.

 

[Clarence1]

Ok here is the latest work on my figure.

It has been awhile since the last time I was so excited about painting and finishing a figure. I don't know but this project is very entertaining. I recommmend to everyone to try something that you are not comfortable with. It's like exploring a new place!!!!

Anyway, I did start the base. This is the drum. Again, I'm trying to get the light from the fire.

On the figure, I added on the back some blue for the light coming from the moon. It is very light but you can see it when you are close.

Comments are always welcome.

 

[Jason W.]

No fear Clarence! You have the eye of a canvas painter. This reminds me a little of Fletcher Clement's and Greg DiFranco's pieces where they paint according to the figures surroundings such as light direction and hard shadows. Although this is an extreme example I think it will work. Keep at it. Looking forward to the finished piece.

Jason

 

[Clarence1]

Almost done!!

Here are the lastest progress on that figure.

The back ground is just a map printed on a regular sheet of paper. I did make the back wall with styrene. Then I just glued the piece of paper on it. Using my airbrush, I painted some translucid yellow, orange and red. Then, I used some flat black to make the shadows all around the edge of the map.

The fire is just some little pieces of root. I used again some flat black to paint all the ground. Then, I used some oils paint to give some highlight to the fire and the ground around.

I still need some flat varnish to get rid of the shine from the oil paint.

The only thing I'm not sure is the lightning effect on the face. Maybe too much white???

Here are the pics:

Comments, ideas are welcome!!!

Clarence

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Clarence,

This is a brilliant concept mate, I admire your ambition. Stephen made a very good observation - this would makean excellent boxed diorama.

Have you considered enclosing this scene in a box and using a light source to create the red/ orange glow from the fire?? I only ask because this is a night scene and it will be difficult to make it look truly realistic, when the figure will more often that not, be shown in broad daylight.