Netherlands Musketeer (2)

[WPS]

As said before here are the pic's of the figure sofar.

I've temporarely fixed the positions of the arms and hands. In this way I can get all the items in the right position. After this I can concentrate on finishing the gun.
If you take a good look at the boots you'll notice that I've changed them.
They will be lower and with a softer and wider top.

This is it for now, I had 3 other pic's but my sd card suddenly refuses to copy them to my computer (or that darn cumputer again

)

see you later, Willem

 

[je_touche]

Hello Willem,

very nice and clean work, I admire your ability to turn a musket barrel from brass in that scale.

If you look at the musket shooting pose in the famous de Gheyn Drill Book (Waenhandelinghe van Roers Musquetten ende Spiessen) you actually see the raised ellbow as you show it in your figurine. Having said that I would still lower the ellbow a bit because this pose seems to be a bit unnatural and awkward. One thing I would definitely change, that is the sharp end of the musket rest should be posed more to a forward position on the ground as shown by de Gheyn so as to better counterbalance the weight of the musket, that is the rest not standing AWAY from the musketeer but TOWARDS his body.

Actually I am working on some musketeers from the same period but they are tiny as compared to yours (1/72). Hopefully I will be able to show some pics as I get around with them.

 

[megroot]

Willem,
Another awesome figure is coming out of your talented hands

Marc

 

[WPS]

Je Touche and Megroot,

thanks for the comments, they are very appriciated.
It's very nice that someone who is interested and well informed on this era gives comments on my sculpt.
Regarding the right arm, I'll look in to that. On the other hand the trigger on this gun will be one of the older type which is basicly a big lever.
To squeeze this type of trigger your hand is forced to be in a awkward position and this results in lifting the elbow above the shoulder.
I hope to have enough time this week to get more done. Next to this it would be nice to get picures along with it. (if the transfer from card to computer is working again)
I hope you all have patience enough to keep looking on from time to time, I know I'm not a fast builder but enjoy your input on this build a lot.

groeten Willem.

 

[Marcel]

Great work Willem, I will follow your progress!

 

[WPS]

Soooo.... finaly back on the job again.
I've bought some Magic sculp at the SMC meeting in Eindhoven (thanks everybody for I had a great time and for the advice and comments)
I got the trousers in their "bulky" shape.
Some detail will be added later but I want to get the stance and the basic shapes of the clothes right first.

Sorry for the second pic it was out of focus but wanted you to see the creases so I changed the contrast.
With the Magic sculp I did the first arm. (man.... that sculpts different than Milliput)
I've been adviced to try a mix of Magic and Duro, so I'll be shopping for Duro soon
I'm pleased with the result and am going to use somespare time on this saturday to do the other one.

I'm thinking of giving him those big leather gloves, you think I should ???

see you soon, Willem

 

[Mark S]

Great work so far, Willem.
Could you easily operate a musket of that type with big leather gloves? ~ I imagine firing would be fine but when it came to re-loading the gloves would be a definate handicap, wouldn't they?
Maybe not, I'm no expert of course.
Anyway I look forward to seeing this one finished.

 

[WPS]

Mark,

on a Dutch forum called Modelbrouwers I asked the same question and someone came up with a great idea.
The hand that holds the stand will get a glove (in fact two) and will also be holding the righthand glove leaving the triggerhand free.
This will force me to do some very delicate sculpting.(for me anyway)
Then again this exersice is all about pushing myself to a higher standard.

See you all soon, Willem

 

[megroot]

Willem,
I was pleased to see this in live at Eindhoven. What an impressive work. Get on with it, i can hardly wait to see its finished.
I like the idea of the two gloves in his left hand.

Marc

 

[WPS]

Yes, yes I will get it done in time so you'll see it at the AMSS next march Marc.

groeten, Willem

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Willem,

This is superb work my friend. Keep pushing yourself, higher and higher. The sky's the limit.

 

[garyjd]

Very nice sbs. I really like the scratchbuilt matchlock. Very cool. ~Gary

 

[WPS]

Thank you Tony, Gary and all others looking in from time to time.
Your input is appreciated.
So here is the next step done.

I used lead-foil for the cuffs on the gloves. This way I can get them hollow and have some strenght. The right hand will be sculpted separate from the arm and placed on the gun. This only leaves the placing of the gun against the shoulder until the last moment. Because of this it will be easier to paint.

The next steps will be the sculpting of the coat, starting at the top part.
Piping, buttons and collar will be added. I'm also thinking of giving him a sash in Royal orange or blue.

see you and groeten, Willem

 

[megroot]

After every step he is looking better.

Marc

 

[WPS]

Got some work done this week and here are the results.

First I used Magic sculp to create the upper part of the jacket. After this I used Milliput (white) to get the lower parts. The Milliput is easier to flatten and stays in shape better. I used lead-strip to get the piping done and added small pins as buttons. The belt got a punched out brass buckle. I used smaller ones on the gloves.
Also made from Milliput (had some left) are the knot on both trouserlegs.

The gun got it's powderpan and cover (opened) and I hope to get the rest of it done next week.
The next thing to do will be a small correction on the right arm (some more fabric under the armpit) , the sash, Powderhorn and/or sling with powdercups and possibly a sword.

As I'm looking in to the paintings done by the masters of the era (Rembrandt and Frans Hals) I've noticed that most men were waring black clothes. On these paintings only one or two men are depicted with contrasting colors.
Today protestant Christians in Holland are still wearing mostly black on sundays or on other "official" days. Their clothes being sober but made from good quality material. Could this be a cultural heritage ?

Probably this figure will be a good study for painting black clothes.

see you next time,

groeten, Willem

 

[Jamie Stokes]

AN excellent SBS

The way you have used multiple materials for various details is excellent.

Shows the rest of us what can be done, how it can be done, and the logic behind it.

The craftsmanship of this figure is admirable.

warmest regards & cheers

 

[megroot]

Great progress on this awesome vignette.
I can hardly wait untill he is finished.

Marc

 

[WPS]

Janus, thanks for the kind words. As you've noticed I like to try out different techniques and materials, mostly to push myself but also to show others that there are no limits to the materials used. This sometimes includes that I have to adjust the means to get there (not everything I try out works to satisfaction). I read lots of different modelling topics, on all kinds of models and in almost every scale, for there are always small trics to learn and use.

Marc, I hope you'll get inspired (and finally take that last step) into sculpting your Belgain soldier you were talking about. With the help of the members of AMSS you should be able to give it a try.

Groeten, Willem

 

[WPS]

Stupid, stupid, stupid me,I forgot the camera last Friday. So a little late but here are the results.

Started with the sword and all details and am trying to get it done in such a way that it stays separate for ease of painting.
This will be very interesting, for the planned sash will be on top of some part of it, meaning that the sash has to be a separate part or sculpted in such a way that the sword is easy to place.
I'm also planning a big belt with powder horns that crosses his chest from the other side.
So we will see what happens and if it works out the way I've got in mind the coming days.

Groeten, Willem

 

[Steve]

Man, that is some great work. Thanks for the updates.