"Old Abe" With legs!

[Jimbo]

Yes I'm at it again adding legs to a bust!
But in my defence this one I just could not resist as I think it's just begging for it!
Stormtroopers 1/9 bust "Old Abe" 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, sculpted by Carl Reid,
I picked this one up from Stuart at the Stormtroopers stand last Saturday at Euro and I've been itching to make a start since I got home, so here's a few rough photos of the very early stages in trying to capture the correct pose of a soldier picking up the pace on a forward trot with that look of trying to make himself small enough to avoid the bullets buzzing towards him, this is a very nice bust by Carl and is great as a bust in it's own right, but me being me I just had to give it a go "with legs"
I'll be interested to hear what you think of the pose which hopefully I've managed to pull off.
All work carried out so far using a copper wire framework and first stages of sculpting with Milliput
Cheers and all comments greatly appreciated.
Jim

 

[Ferris]

Pose looks convincing to me Jim.

Maybe you can get some inspirations for the drapery from this one:
http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/confederate-infantryman-17th-alabama.53937/

Cheers,
Adrian

 

[Jimbo]

Thanks Adrian, appreciate it
Cheers
Jim

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Jim,
You have really nailed the pose Mate. If you , and I am sure that you will, get the drapery on the trousers to add to the look of speed it will be perfection.
I do like these figures that have so much forward body weight nobody is in any doubt that the guy is at full speed.
Good work again from the Chief Poobha of the Legs Brigade. I can hardly wait for him to get some trews on........The figure not you Jimbo.
All the very best with this one,
Keith

 

[Don]

Looks very good Jim, well done! I liked this bust to start with, but your addition of legs give it a whole new dimention! Love what you are doing. Now you just need to start doing "sub-contracts", You will be a millionare in no time.

Don

 

[mil-mart]

Great start Jim the running pose looks spot on .
Remember though no suspenders on this one mate.

Cheers Ken

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Looks great - I don't envy Abe the rough ride he would be getting advancing at the run.

Colin

 

[Jimbo]

Keith, I should have some "Trews" on him by the end of the weekend (if I can get the creases right) I'll post some more photos when I get there.
Ken, Don't worry mate no suspenders on this one...well I hope not! ( Nice speaking to you at Euro)
Don, I'm always up for a bit of sculpting work on the side for anybody but don't know if it would ever make me a millionaire (nice thought though)
Colin, Yeah I was thinking that myself regarding Old Abe, I've been considering having him off the perch and in the air, not too sure how I could pull that one off yet, maybe with wire from his legs?
Thanks Guys,I'm really glad that you think it looks right so far, the photos make his legs look smaller then they actually are but that's down to my lack of photography skills

 

[Jimbo]

Pose looks convincing to me Jim.

Maybe you can get some inspirations for the drapery from this one:
http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/confederate-infantryman-17th-alabama.53937/

Cheers,
Adrian

Hi again Adrian, I've just checked out the link you posted for me, Spot on mate that will be a great help.
Cheers
Jim

 

[Jimbo]

I've only just picked up on the 18th Sept post by Ernest's superb painting of this bust, I didn't realise how many wanted to see this bust converted to a full figure!
Carl & Stu, apologies if I've stepped on anyone's toes as it seems there may be plans for a full figure version to come from Stormtroopers.
Cheers
Jim

 

[Grod]

Nice to see Legs & Co in action again Jim.
Gordon

 

[Nap]

Jimbo ,

Blimey ...you don't waste much time ...looking good mate ...reckon the legs would not look good with suspenders anyway ...look forward to seeing this in the flesh so to speak.

Ref Abe off the perch ...dramtic or what ...you could do the wire making it the ties ...over to you



Nap

 

[Jimbo]

Nice to see Legs & Co in action again Jim.
Gordon

Blimey!"Legs & Co" that takes me back a bit!
Cheers Gordon
Jim

 

[Jimbo]

Kev you know me mate!...No moss on a rolling stone!
Cheers
Jim

 

[Wayneb]

Looks to have much potential.......For another perspective and feel;....Pop in "Chilmark Old Abe".........
Keep up the good work..........Regards....Wayne

 

[Jimbo]

Thanks Wayne, appreciate it
Cheers
Jim

 

[Jimbo]

Bit of an update on Old Abe: The legs have been sculpted using milliput, and I've decided to add gaiters (laces still need to be added) sculpted in Magi-sculpt along with his boots, although not liked by the Union troops, gaiters were more widely issued to the Army of the Potomac then it was once thought, they were issued in the spring of 1862 to be used for campaign only and for that reason many of them did not survive due to the wear & tear they took, hence there is not very many examples to see in museums today, Seeing that he is from a Wisconsin Regiment I'll be changing the coat from a "sack" to a "frock" so the skirt needs to be added, hopefully this week sometime, also the "fall down" collar had to be changed to a "stand-up"
Hope you like it all so far
Cheers
Jim

 

[Kreston]

I am from Wisconsin and study Wisconsin regiments quite closely. The 8th Wisconsin was not part of the Army of the Potomac. They fought in the Western Theater of the war, including the Battle of Vicksburg. If you Google Old Abe you can find wartime pictures of Abe and of the eagle-bearer Edwin Homaston. While most of the 8th wore the frock coat, pictures of Homaston show him wearing the more common sack coat. More information here: http://www.wisvetsmuseum.com/exhibitions/online/old_abe/?ID=33

 

[Wayneb]

Ah.......History buffs.............I love em...............Are you a reanactor...?.........................Wayne

 

[Kreston]

Nope...just a figure painter/model builder and avid reader of military history.