The wounding of General Braddock

[garyjd]

I was really curious to see how Griffing would handle the subject of Braddock's wounding. I like the painting but feel it's lacking in something, drama maybe. I do like the poses of the figures surrounding Braddock but given the situation you would think there would be a sense of urgency, so the figures don't quite fit with all this panic around them. One thing that that I noticed was the soldier with his knees bent facing Braddock. He reminded me of Bill Horan's diorama of the same subject. The most important thing I give it points for is the tan/off-white small clothes (waistcoat and breeches) worn by the soldiers of the 44th and 48th Regiments of Foot. It's the first time I've ever seen them portrayed correctly, in a painting or miniature. The print is due to be released sometime in June, along with a separate edition of posters that will be a lot cheaper than the print. Enjoy~Gary

 

[thegoodsgt]

Griffing's use of color to draw the viewer's eye into the center of the painting is very interesting and effective, although other elements of the composition (such as simply placing Braddock in the center of the canvas) have the same effect. That said, the painting reminds me of all of those huge dioramas we typically see at AMPS and IPMS contests. Like them, this painting would probably be more effective if it were cropped down to the middle third of the painting and more of the surrounding soldiers moved closer to Braddock. That would've allowed Griffing to include much more detail and show stronger emotion among the subjects.

 

[Figure Mad]

I Think this could make a brilliant Box Dio, more than an open dio, that would help to create more of the same lighting effect in heavy shaded woodland....

......I wish I could sculpt

Dave

 

[megroot]

Just my thought's Dave.

Marc

 

[captnenglish]

It's a brilliant painting, but I have to agree, it could do with a tighter composition and a bit more "action".

 

[garyjd]

Matt, just like Steven I agree a tighter composition in some way might have been better. It is however exciting to seea more modern version of the event. Maybe we'll see Griffing's version in books and articles instead of the more common tired old versions, which have no historical value in my opinion.~Gary