Painting a Samurai from Bonapartes - All advice welcome

[NeilW]

When this COVID thing is over with, always come and stop over here, split up the visit, more than welcome, that’s an open invitation, great to meet up with like minded people.

Thanks... may take you up on that

FYI: It's always worth checking out David Thatcher's sites... a UK based armourer no less

https://yoroi.uk/​

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Samuraiarmour/​

https://issuu.com/davethatcher/docs/the_samurai_armour_glossary_2013_v2 (downloadable)​

https://www.pinterest.jp/katchushi/_saved/​

​

He's based in Towcester

Another useful link: https://www.japanesearmorsociety.com/

 

[Malcolm]

Hi all,
The helmet and neck guard is on the last leg, but am really struggling with the armour, painting the little slats is proving to be very difficult, am I doing something wrong?
All comments, both good and bad greatly appreciated.

 

[Nap]

Hi Malcolm

You have been busy ! ...helmets looking good possibly put highs on the dragon more

As for the armour ...I would paint the sections in the colour then use background washes to bring them out more , once dry go back and reinforce the high ...you might try careful drybrushing as well

Good that this is large scale !

Thanks for update

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Malcolm]

Large scale, see the mistakes better,
but yes, my eyes wouldn’t let me do this in small scale

 

[NeilW]

....really struggling with the armour, painting the little slats is proving to be very difficult, am I doing something wrong?

Nope: about par for the course I'd say

As you'll have seen from the RA, Japanese armour is extremely complex with lots of fine detail and fiddly bits. Funnily enough this works against you at a large scale as more detail is present (or should be) and hence needs painting

Good work so far but I'll make several suggestions.

Note: so as to not complicate matters I've not used the Japanese terms but this downloadable guide is invaluable (also see last items from Absolon).
https://issuu.com/davethatcher/docs/the_samurai_armour_glossary_2013_v2

(click on images to enlarge them)

1. I've not seen the casting but to me the helmet's neckguard looks strange. I can only see the lower row of diagonal lacing but not the longer vertical ones? Your photo from the RA shows this well:
   
2. It also shows the stencilled leather that would normally be on its peak and turnbacks.
   
   These pics (all from Absolon) show the construction (the lacing methods varied but these should give an idea- especially the ones with varying colours which show how each row connected to the next):
   
3. The facemask is OK in red though as I understand it they were more commonly in black (or often russet) with a red lacquered interior (visible around the edges of the mouth). The masks were as much worn to provide a fierce visage and allow the helmet cords to be tightened (hence the various hooks and posts) as anything else (and never in the early periods).
   
   As with many things Japanese, there were several systems of fastening the cords, here are some refs, inc one without a mask (also show other helmet details):
   
   Note how the cords go over the throat guard, not under it your construction seems to show.
   
   (the photos you sometimes see with big dangly bows are most likely mis-interpretations)
4. Whilst anachronistic and just for show, the armour has a leather faced front... so you'll have to face up to doing the stencilled leather (see my previous postings or try a search for 'e-gawa'). As I previously said, a representational design may be easier than the strict geometric ones (for which see Bailey's superb step by steps)
   
   Given this, it is likely that the same patterned leather would be used on the other parts of the armour (full, matching suits made a point of this): this is borne out by the stencils being laid out rather like a sewing pattern with sections for each element of the armour.
5. Felix has already pointed out the issues with the shoulder guards (reversed sides and shape of upper plate) and I noted the peculiar stepped front skirt/tasset. The reversed sode are easily resolved, the other two would be more difficult.

Regarding painting: a full set of armour (gosoku) and all its parts would be matched in terms of its lacquer and lacing colours and leather patterns (it seems that many museum and collectors sets are in fact made up of mis-matched parts drawn from several armours). So, bear this in mind when working out your colour scheme.

Yes, the lacing is a challenge (it helps to start off with good definition and moulding) but Nap's point of painting the base colour, then using a wash to define it, then using a highlight (dry-brush?) to bring out the individual strands will help.

These are what you're aiming for (first pic from David Thatcher's site... last one from here):



Useful ref to parts of the armour (Absolon)... loads more exist in various books and online.




BoL, Neil

 

[Malcolm]

Wow,
More spot on information, many thanks

 

[NeilW]

Just come across a free resource from the NY Met (download the Pdf):

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/metpublications/Art_of_the_Samurai_Japanese_Arms_and_Armor_1156_1868

 

[Nap]

Just come across a free resource from the NY Met (download the Pdf):

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/metpublications/Art_of_the_Samurai_Japanese_Arms_and_Armor_1156_1868

Nice link

Nap

 

[Malcolm]

Spot on, thank you

 

[NeilW]

I'm beginning to think that Trevor Absolon should be paying me commission, but you can have a look at his book here:
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=kUA_DwAAQBAJ&hl=en_GB&pg=GBS.PA14

AND I SEE THAT THEY'RE OFFERING THE E-BOOK FOR ONLY £15.92*...
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=kUA_DwAAQBAJ

I like the PDF version as you can get extreme close ups... as per the attached screenshots (x100, x200, x400 and x100, x400)








*I won't do a Rousselot on myself this time as I already have this book

 

[Malcolm]

It has taken me a long time to get to this stage with lockdowns and work and more lockdowns, but I have started to get there with this figure.It is the 200mm Samurai bust from Bonaparte models.[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]
I know that the kit itself is not technically accurate, but it’s a great base to get my eye in, some of the lovely intricate patterns are way above my painting skill.
This has been painted with acrylics and finished with oils, the hands and weapons still need to be added, then comes the horse, but one step at a time.
Way more to do still but I’m starting to enjoy it again.