WIP The Trophy

[ChaosCossack]

Hey Again,

This piece is Andrea's 54mm "The Trophy"... a Prussian infantryman who is holding a looted French cavalry sword, probably after the Battle of Sedan, 1870.
As you can see I'm left with basing the figure as well as touch ups and weathering (right now too clean for after battle). Any suggestions on terrain or a terrain feature (I was thinking a small section of stone/brick wall behind the fig) would be great.
Anyways... have at 'im!

Colin

 

[Meehan34]

He's looking good. You could afford to get more highlites and shadows on him for better contrast. It also appears that your paint may be a bit too thick. As for the base that is the fun part. It sounds like you're big on historical accuracy so I guess see what he would have been on or near. I would totally trick out the base with something very inaccurate so I won't be too much help.

 

[ChaosCossack]

Thanks Mike,
I've got lots of art depicting scenes from the Franco-Prussian War and theres some great potential scenery wise... my problem with basing is either too much crap on the base or (like the British Grenadier) way too little. Lots of options for scenic pieces, just don't want to over do it.
As for the paint, each layer is fairly thinned out but to keep the change in tone gradual, there are lots of layers... in the end does that give me the same effect as too thick paint?

Thanks again for your feedback
Colin

 

[GregMcEvoy]

Hey Colin,

Try keeping the base pretty compact, around 2 inch square for a 54mm fig. It'll keep the focus on the soldier rather than the pedestal. I think I've got a small ruined brick wall poking around in my terrain box (which is getting outta control ), and I'll let you know if I can find it.

Mike's on point with the suggestion re: highlights and shading.

Keep truckin'!

 

[combatartist]

Colin; how about a road sign (i.e. Belgium 12km)? or the remnants of a French camp, wine bottles or tin cups? September 1st - battle of Sedan, mud and wheel ruts...

Tony

 

[ChaosCossack]

Greg,
I'll take another pass on the H.L/Shade... On the uniform, or everything? I'll take u up on that offer, I'm down by the shop next week... How do u and Joe take your coffee.

Tony,
Great ideas... a taste of battle debris to solidify time and place, as long as I don't make it look like a yard sale :lol:.

Thanx to you both for your thoughts
Colin

 

[Mariner]

Don't worry Colin, go see my Calico Jack...you aren't the only one having highlights/shadow issues...
He's looking really good, will be terrific when you're done
Mary

 

[ChaosCossack]

Thanx Mary

Trial and error and some helpful advice from experienced painters and every brushstroke becomes a learning experience. Just can't be in a rush... Practice, practice and more practice!!!

BTW, Greg from the above posting runs the shop I mentioned earlier, drop him a line, he might be able to help.

Colin

 

[GregMcEvoy]

Yeah Colin, it's all practice dude.

Every one you finish gets better. If you can bring it by and I can give you a couple pointers, it's alot more helpful in person I think. I'd say a bit more contrast all round, it could stand some higher highlights on the face for sure. Don't be afraid of overdoing it, you can always bring it back down with glazes of the base colour.

...and I take my coffee strong, and black, same as pops haha!

Cheers

 

[ChaosCossack]

Greg.

I'm coming to the shop Monday, I talked to Joe today, was missing the head from my Lancer and he's got another (imagine, all that time and no head).

I'll bring the fig and the coffee... was there anything cool in the bits box for basing? If so I'll bring the $$$ too.

Have a good weekend
Colin