Completed Critique The Iron Brigade

[ghamilt1]

The Civil War between the States is not my usual area of interest ( This may actually be the first figure from that period I have in my collection, don't know why, it's just the way its worked out). Having said that I HAD to have this one from Heros and Villains when I saw it released, and it hasn't disappointed one bit. I am really happy with the final result and feel that my contrasts between shadows and highlights is finally getting to where I want them to be. Sadly, these pictures have washed out some of the highlights, around the face in particular. So as is often the case, it looks better in the flesh than it appears here.

 

[poch mahone]

Nicely done, one for my wish list. I don't know what the buttons on the collar are meant to be as far a I'm aware there were no buttons on the collar of the frock coat.

Regards

Brian

 

[ghamilt1]

Thanks Brian. I don't know what those buttons are for either, but they were there, so I painted 'em. But when you look at the source pictures online, I can't find one that has those buttons. (they aren't there on the French Chasseur uniform either, so I don't know why they show up here). I don't know if I can remove them now that the figure is mounted on the base. I'll wait and see how crazy this makes me and make up my mind later.

 

[ghamilt1]

So, as it turns out, those buttons drove me crazier than I thought. They are now removed and the offending area repainted

 

[Mike Stevens]

Nicely Done.

 

[megroot]

Nice work.

marc

 

[Steve]

Great do on the dark blue. You need to share that mix for the many members who represent federal dark blue in electric tones.

 

[tomifune]

Two Iron Brigades on PF in one day! Very nicely done.
Just was at the spot on the weekend where they got decimated in the Wilderness.

Bob

 

[ghamilt1]

Thanks very much Marc and Steve. Thanks also Bob, it's always a special privilege to walk battlefields and get a real sense of the history. I had a chance to see some of the battlefields of the NorthWest Rebellion out here in western Canada. It was a cool experience.

Steve, I use Vallejo acrylics as an under coat, and for the blue I used a mix of grey-black and Prussian Blue. I then use oils for shadows and highlights. Lamp black for the dark, and some titanium white with Payne's grey and a touch of Prussian blue for the HL. I was aiming for a very dark (almost black) blue with highlights.

 

[Blind Pew]

Excellent treatment of the blue uniform there. Something many people struggle with. Never mind the drawbacks of photography, that looks spot on from where I'm sitting mate. Please do share with us how you achieved it.

Most importantly, you loved doing it and enjoy the end result.

 

[ChaosCossack]

Great job on this one!
I have this one on deck as we speak, primed up and the flesh based. You're right, very clean sculpt and well detailed.
I like how you've done the blue... in person these frock coats are damn near black and you've got it nailed for sure.

Beautiful work on a very nice figure

Colin

 

[ghamilt1]

Thanks Blind Pew and Colin. These dark shades of blue are really tricky and I'm glad to have hit upon the "right" mix for it. A lot of trial and error to get there for sure. Reds also gave me fits and I've recently been quite pleased with geting enough dark into that colour as well.

 

[Lancer]

Sweet!!!, nice to see your still up and about

 

[ghamilt1]

You too Mark! I might take the trip to Calgary for their AMPS (?) show in October. Maybe I'll see you there?

 

[swralph]

Beautiful paintwork.I so love the colour blue.

 

[ghamilt1]

Thanks swralph! Blues are amongst my favorite uniforms to paint. Whites are truly frightening.

 

[garyjd]

With the exceptions of the hat being pinned up on the Wrong side (typically infantry was pinned up on the left side ) and the buttons on the collar ( based on a reenactor? ) it's a very well done sculpt.

 

[ghamilt1]

Cheers Gary. Can't do much about the hat and the buttons are gone now. I should spend more time checking out uniform details on the interwebs but I usually assume the sculptors have done that. So unless it's really obvious I almost always start splashing paint without due diligence. But you are correct in assessing the quality of the sculpt. There were hardly any mold seams to deal with and the fit was excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to get another from this company. They have a Confederate cavalryman they might go well with this one.