New York Zouave

[ckleisch]

This will be my first entry as a new member of this forum. i apologize in advance if I am placing this in the wrong place. I collected this Series 77 figure in 1979 and held it until recently as I had given up the hobby for a while due to marriage and children. Little fingers dont match the hobby. However at age 51 I am getting baack into the hobby and have to relearn everything. This is the first figure I have completed and are working on some additional including Pegaso's legatus and a samurai.
Give me your crtiques as that is the only way I know how to improve.

 

[Blind Pew]

Dear William, welcome on board.
I'd pay attention to keeping the finish as matt as you can keep it, as it does look a bit on the glossy side. I appreciate this may be the photography though. Keep it up and most importantly - enjoy it!

 

[garyjd]

William, Welcome to the Planet and back to the hobby. That zouave was one of the best of Series 77 "Americans" line. Post more pics when time allows.~Gary

 

[flart1943]

Hi William
Great to hear from you as I am in the same position as you are. I gave up modeling about 15 years ago and am trying to retrain myself. I have found it hard as things have moved on a lot (different styles, different paint). Your figure is great so you have a head start. Keep up the good work. All the best.
Pete

 

[ckleisch]

I enjoyed working the model. I used vallejo paints on this one in combo with some humbrols I had around from back in the day. I like marble bases so I used the base from an old trophy picked up in a yard sale. I added some eqipment such as a pack and the supports. I didnt like the metal hat tassle so I raided my wifes crosstitch supplies and made a real tassle which was more to scale. Here is a rear photo of the item. The paint is more flat than reflected in the photo which was done with a flash imager.
I thank all so far with your comments

 

[captnenglish]

Nice job. My only comment is that there is a white strap (leading to the haversack?), which shold not be white.

 

[AJLaFleche]

Welcome to the planet. Nice work after a many years' layoff.
Duryea's 5th New York Zouaves is one of my favorite units of the ACW. You pretty much have the colors right on for this guy.
The Capt. above me is correct, Union haversacks, both sack and strap, were tarred cotton, a processes called japaning, a semi-gloss black, to make them more waterproof. There would be a black leather closure with a black metal buckle, just we painters can try to vary our black shades and textures even more. LOL
You might want to work on steadying your brush hand or getting a finer brush. Some of the black stripes look a little shaky. That'll come with practice, no doubt as well adding a bit more shading and highlighting.
On the red tombeaus on the blouse, try base coating in white to get a more vibrant red. The blue background to be toning this down. To complicate matters, some of these were trimmed in gold. Same for the blue trim on the sash, the base red looks ot be tinting the red piping to a more violet color.
I like your fabric tassle, nice touch.

 

[buzz1941]

Smaller bricks!