WIP Critique Next up - Lt. Paulee 6me Hussards 1813

[Colin_Fraser]

The plan is to be there with two of my lads Glenn. If this bust is far enough along (i.e. primed) I will bring it along to display too.

Look forward to seeing you guys.

 

[Eludia]

Nice team photo Colin

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Pelisse fur and trim added.

 

[arj]

That is really looking superb.
I have one small question since this is the first view I've seen from the back with the pelisse in place. It may be just my old eyes or a trick of perspective, but the pelisse looks a little narrow across the back.
I apologise for sounding as if I'm nitpicking, but it's just my engineering background drawing my eyes to potential misfits.

Cheers (and hope I'm proved wrong),
Andrew

 

[Colin_Fraser]

That is really looking superb.
I have one small question since this is the first view I've seen from the back with the pelisse in place. It may be just my old eyes or a trick of perspective, but the pelisse looks a little narrow across the back.
I apologise for sounding as if I'm nitpicking, but it's just my engineering background drawing my eyes to potential misfits.

Cheers (and hope I'm proved wrong),
Andrew

Yup. Like most model pelisses you could never put that on. Show me an example of a model pelisse where the distance between the sleeves is enough to accomodate the full back....they exist but are pretty rare. I had another PM asking if the depth wasn't too short. I appreciate both comments. And I think both are correct to some degree...the photography has distorted the depth a bit though.

This is what happens when I get excited and drive ahead too quickly.

Thanks to you both for commenting. I will give it a fresh look. Thanks again...for real!

 

[Colin_Fraser]

I agree with both the critiques I received. So I have removved the pelisse. Easy as it was just lightly tacked to the dolman. I did salvage the sleeves.

Thanks again for the fresh eyes. That shows the value of posting WIPs and getting constructive feedback before its too late to remedy faults ;-)

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Here is the replacement pelisse redone from scratch. Still has minor issues but it stays as it is as it was a crap load of work. The posture looks a little odd as I have yet to add the chair and right arm with gloves as per the painting.

The shortness of the pelisse at the front is a photographic illusion because it is draped forward. Its the same depth as the right side at the back.

 

[arj]

... Show me an example of a model pelisse where the distance between the sleeves is enough to accomodate the full back....they exist but are pretty rare. ...

Couldn't agree with you more on that.
Your re-work though puts this bust in the rare area.
Christ, but you were quick with not just the replacement, but also with a superb load of detailing as well (two days by my reckoning).
I'd better keep my eyes open for your next step, 'cos if I blink, I might miss it.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Thanks Andrew. Your comments were invaluable. You still couldn't put this on either but it looks closer. Call it artist's licence.

The pelisse took about 12 hours. Not a productive weekend elsewhere.

 

[Nap]

Hi Colin,

Blimey that looks great you must have the patience of a saint !! All that lacework great stuff .

If I may perhaps move the left arm closer to the body and drop the pelise accordingly towards body ..only a visual thing comment from someone whose jaw drops at your work .

He has the true look of the hussar , dashing and very elegant ...bit like us eh!!!!'..LOL LOL

I agree about the right side adding something will balance it up nicely .

Thanks for sharing

Nap

PS Would love to see you do a Napoleonic female ..perhapsa an empress or a camp follower?

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Thanks Nap. I do want to try sculpting a female....when I work up my courage I will try to depict Violette Szabo of SOE fame. Next up is Augustus though.

I agree that the pelisse above could be improved but no more changes at this point. I will just have to do better next time.

 

[Viking Bob]

That looks more than superb, I don't know how you do it in 12 hours
Regards

 

[Huw63]

Thanks Nap. I do want to try sculpting a female....when I work up my courage I will try to depict Violette Szabo of SOE fame. Next up is Augustus though.

I agree that the pelisse above could be improved but no more changes at this point. I will just have to do better next time.

Don't be so modest - it's marvellous. "I will... Have to do better next time". Oh how I laughed - I couldn't do this if my life depended on it!!!

Cheers

Huw

 

[swralph]

Persevere and great things happen,as your sculpting shows

 

[TADATSUGU]

Good job Colin, apologies for not posting this info earlier but I've only just found the thread! I wouldn't worry too much about the length of the pelisse. I've read dozens of books dealing with this and I am no nearer a definative answer, I have always obtained the impression that the pelisse reduced in length towards the end of the empire and became, to some extent, a matter of fashion with the officers who could afford and get away with non regulation items. Rousselot states that, " these two articles (the Dolman and pelisse), were being shortened around 1808 - 1809" and " The barrel sash, therefore, was worn higher and the skirt of the Dolman extended only slightly below it".

I found these two illustrations in "La cavalerie Legere du Premier Empire" by Michel Petard . The diagram is presented as being taken from the 1812 regulations and shows the standard length of the pelisse as between 401 - 433mm, which is pretty short!
The photograph is from the Musee de L'armee Paris collection (8th Regiment) which does show a very
thin material in use, which makes me question the extent of it's practical use as an all-weather garment.

Rousselot also says that, (despite many models and illustrations suggesting otherwise), only the top five rows of the Pelisse cords could be fastened, being fashioned longer than the rest. I don't know where this comes from. It does not look that way in the above illustration although the photograph does look a little that way to me, in that the top five loops look marginally longer.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Thanks David. Great resources and I agree that later pelisses were tight and short....fashion always seems to move that way doesn't it?

The biggest two problems with my pelisse are the insufficient breadth across the back and the way it sits on his left arm, including the sleeve. The breadth is too narrow but again I will pur that down to licence. It is a fault found with the majority of model hussars....mine is not the worst. The sit on his arm is a bit strange because the pelisse warped when I was cooking it separately from the figure. Lesson....sculpey is soft when heated so always cook it on the form. Its not disastrous and will likely look better when painted. In any case there is no way I am going to do it a third time.

 

[Nap]

Thanks Nap. I do want to try sculpting a female....when I work up my courage I will try to depict Violette Szabo of SOE fame. Next up is Augustus though.

I agree that the pelisse above could be improved but no more changes at this point. I will just have to do better next time.

Hi Colin,

Great subject from SOE ,looking forward to this one getting paint on him , you have more talent and skill n one finger than I have in my whole body!

Great stuff to see your sculpts ..always enjoyable

Nap

 

[TADATSUGU]

The biggest two problems with my pelisse are the insufficient breadth across the back and the way it sits on his left arm, including the sleeve. The breadth is too narrow but again I will pur that down to licence.

I know you don't like re-enactor stuff Colin but this pic I took at Waterloo this year might illustrate a point.

The material used in the photo looks of a similar weight to the one in the Musee collection. Although the re-enactor pelisse is much bigger (probably for practicality) it does show that a thinner material than is usually assumed allows for deeper and more numerous folds. Note also that there is a deep crease/fold in the fur collar too.
For future projects can I suggest you get the sculpting material as thin as you can, drape it before cutting to shape, and then make more folds at the back (or sculpt the back section seperately, attach it to the figure first, and then add the sleeves when dried).
Sorry if I sound like I'm trying to teach you to suck eggs, I'm not - your work is too good for that - but I like to try and work out different approachs when trying to resolve a problem. I'm sure most people won't worry too much about the existing scupt and I agree with you that there are much worse examples out there.

 

[pgarri27]

Just saw this thread. I am very impressed, as I am at your other sculpts. Napoleonic 1st Empire is my favorite period and hussars are at the top, (that passion heavily influenced by Imrie Risley Hussars I received by in the 1950's).
I look forward to seeing the finished piece.
Pete

 

[Colin_Fraser]

@ David - thanks again. i agree that the material needs to be thinner if one is going for realism. Sadly there are constraints when using sculpey for a large scale piece. It can be made pretty strong but if rolled too thin it would become too brittle.

Next hussar I need to plan the garment more carefully, perhaps using a tin foil pattern. Every project is a learning experience