WIP Critique Painting Maj. Gen. Cleburne

[Joe55]

This is a sweet looking sculpt Colin! I'm really looking forward to seeing all done up.

Joe

 

[fabrizio1969]

greath face colin,perfect eyes

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Thanks gents. Some more progress this morning. Some Vallejo and lots of inks - green, purple, blue, raw umber, red oxide, flesh wash and lots of mixing of inks with Vallejos and Golden arylics.




Colin

 

[Nap]

Hi Colin ,

Been following the sculpt closely and now the WIP ...this has got commercial all over it IMO , I love the pose the way he holds the sword and the lovely details included , the face is great and is coming alive as we all watch this thread ........

How do you combine the inks ...washes ..cetainly very very effective indeed .

Keep us all posted

Thanks for sharing

Nap

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Thanks Nap - very kind words indeed

I can't really take credit for the pose as I shamelessly "stole" it from this modern portrait of Cleburne by an artist I sadly don't recall and can't now find online (or I would have given him credit). Perhaps I should say that the portrait inspired me. Its a great piece IMO.

These inks are very concentrated colours and almost always need to be diluted when used alone. They have to be applied very sparingly (small amounts) to stain the paint underneath and in my experience they work best when applied over matte Vallejos as they quickly absorb. If applied in too much volume, they can pool and when drying they can leave rings so one has to guard against that. I keep a water soaked brush ready to deal with that issue should it start to arise.

When mixing inks and Valleos, I just mix them on stay wet pallette. Add a little water and you have a diluted Vallejo wash with stronger hue than the norm. I also find inks very useful in doing hair...washing undiluted raw umber + a touch of black into the beard and hair creates good contrast as the ink flows naturally into the recesses in the sculpture. Practice is required but I like the effect.

Cheers

Colin

 

[tomifune]

Colin,
Is that a Michael Gnatek drawing? He did many Civil War portraits as I have his Joshua Chamberlain and it looks like his work.

Bob

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Colin,
Is that a Michael Gnatek drawing? He did many Civil War portraits as I have his Joshua Chamberlain and it looks like his work.

Bob

I looked to see if it was Gnatek. It isn't his but he does really nice work. It's Ken Hendrickson's work....a very gifted artist. See http://www.civilwarartist.com/index.htm and http://www.civilwarartist.com/civil_war_art.htm


Colin

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Hello Colin, The face on Gen Cleburne looks very realistic so far. Your use of inks give the face a very natural look, and the painting resembles Cleburne very much. I look forward to seeing the next steps on this excellent bust of yours. The painting is Cleburne at Franklin by D. Gallon. Best of luck with your progress. Regards, SG

 

[Nap]

Colin ,

Thanks for the info on the inks (do you use any specific brand?) ..worth looking into I think , the pose is spot on using your reference and I cannot wait to see the kepi take on some colour as well as the finely done lacework .

Keep us all posted ...are you sure this is a one off !!!!!

Nap

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Hi Nap - I use some old Citadel inks from their Warhammer range (discontinued). When these were withdrawn, I started using Liquitex inks from the art store and they work fine. They have a wide range of inks in eye dropper bottles. Raw umber is my favourite as I use it for shading flesh, greens, browns and gold lace etc.

Sorry to say this is a one off (like all my work). I have always sculpted for myself (I do guys I respect) and I think there is very limited market opportunity for 1/6 scale pieces. Plus the cost of materials and learning curve re. casting is daunting.

SG - thanks for posting the Gallon picture - a stirring scene of Cleburne's last charge!

Thanks for the nice comments.

Colin

 

[Colin_Fraser]

The kepi is done. I was going to wash gold powder onto his lace but had second thoughts as I think it will wind up in the sculpted recesses in the lace and look daft. I am still working on his face (a little) and his hair (a lot).

Kepi blue was V Dk. Prussian Blue + Ultramarine + touch of V Game Colour Dead Flesh
Lace was V Game Colour Elf Skintone (base); washed with raw umber ink; highlighted with Golden Naples Yellow; high highlights white.

Colin

 

[Richie]

Hi Colin,
Lovely work so far, your right mate don't dust it, it looks the business.
cheers
Richie

 

[mil-mart]

Colin great facial tones and neat work on the kepi, following.

Cheers Ken

 

[Colin_Fraser]

A bit more progress on the collar and frock coat. The confederate or cadet grey frock coat is V (GC) Sombre grey + V (GC) elf skintone + V ivory. I have started shading the left lapel. The facing colour is buff. I used V ivory + V orange brown to get that shade. Collar rank insgnia still in progress too.

I am also still working on his face and hair.



Colin

 

[Wings5797]

Great progress Colin.
I really like the collar detail.
Cheers.
Keith

 

[Edorta]

Very fine paint work. I follow.

Military miniatures painted by Eduardo Garcia

 

[fabrizio1969]

very very nice,like your paintwork,,many soft,but impressive

 

[Mark S]

Lovely work, Colin...really beautiful piece.
Can't wait to see the piece once the jigsaw lines go on!........Cheers mate!

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Thanks for the kind remarks to all above. Some more frock coat shading; buttons started; sash undercoated. CSA dress regs. called for a buff sash but Cleburne wore crimson for some reason. I am happy about that as the crimson really goes well with the cadet grey.




Colin

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Hello Colin, Great progress, the blending of the coat is particularly well done, very authentic. Gen. Cleburne is really coming alive. Excellent work Colin. Following... Regards, SG