WIP Critique Starting my first flat ever

[Blind Pew]

For a first flat, you're a glutton for punishment!
Lovely job by the way.....

The original painting of this scene in Manchester Art Gallery is a sight to behold, make no mistake. I could stare at it for hours. Shame Salford didn't acquire it.....

 

[Colin_Fraser]

For a first flat, you're a glutton for punishment!
Lovely job by the way.....

The original painting of this scene in Manchester Art Gallery is a sight to behold, make no mistake. I could stare at it for hours. Shame Salford didn't acquire it.....

Nice to know where the original is to be found. I shall have to check it out next trip over there. Thanks

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Excellent choice for a first Colin . Faces look superb , I seem to have seen a print of this some time back which would be a great colour ref.
Thought about doing it in three dimensions but deemed it to difficult for my skills

Thanks Ron. I thought about doing it 3D but my track record for maintaining interest on large projects is very poor. Its pretty hard to find a decent colour ref for the Yvon painting on the web but I have found a few. I am not following them slavishly in any case. He shows Ney in a green coat but other portraits show buff. I prefer the latter.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Some work on the fur. I will be slowing down for a bit as real chores must be done :-( These are crap iPad pix.

I dropped him and broke Ney's bayonet off. Repaired by adding a small pad of MS behind it and the fig and then trimmimg.

 

[arj]

Ney is looking superb.
I must admit that my eye keeps being drawn to the hand clutching at Ney's coat. Is it just my eyes, or did the engraver either lengthen the thumb, or just forget it? (I get the same effect with the box art).

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Ney is looking superb.
I must admit that my eye keeps being drawn to the hand clutching at Ney's coat. Is it just my eyes, or did the engraver either lengthen the thumb, or just forget it? (I get the same effect with the box art).

Cheers,
Andrew

I think the closest digit is the thumb and the pinky is hidden. At least that us how I rationalize it. I indicated a thumb nail to reinforce that impression.

 

[OldTaff]

First flat ? I would never have thought so, Colin, this is great work. I've got the Last Stand of the Guard at Waterloo; primed, but that's as far as I've got.
You've given me inspiration......

Alan

 

[Colin_Fraser]

First flat ? I would never have thought so, Colin, this is great work. I've got the Last Stand of the Guard at Waterloo; primed, but that's as far as I've got.
You've given me inspiration......

Alan

Another great piece by Glorious Empires Alan. Looking forward to seeing what you do.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Nice thing about this project is that can pick it up, dabble for 15 mins and see progress

One thing I like about flats is that if the engraver has made an error or put in a uniform detail you disagree with, you can fix it with paint alone. For example, Ney in the vignette above is cast with his winter coat closed with mini-Austrian knot decorations. Most paintings of Ney in Russia show fringed tassels. So I painted in the tassels.

 

[valiant]

That is looking fantastic, Colin! A completely different feel about it from the box art. I agree about the buff coat, too..!

 

[pgarri27]

Very nice. Looking forward to see the progress.

 

[Nap]

Colin,

All I can say is well done you , such a difference from the great busts we have seen ...you are obviously enjoying it ....as we all are

Thanks for sharing

Nap

 

[NickM]

Looks brilliant so far, Colin. Beautifully painted

 

[Joe55]

Impressive !

Joe

 

[billyturnip]

This is coming along fantastically Colin.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Moving to another figure. Still not finished Ney though.

 

[Viking Bob]

Colin,
These are looking fantastic, the detail you are putting in, is superb and a first too.
A master at work.
All the best

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Thanks for the compliment Bob - a little over stated though I am still trying to figure this flat painting stuff out. But it is fun and I think it is relevant to painting round figures too.

 

[Viking Bob]

You are right, I think its relevant to painting round figure. Light and shade from one direction. Teaches a lot.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

You are right, I think its relevant to painting round figure. Light and shade from one direction. Teaches a lot.

I was thinking stop sign rule