WIP Critique Third New York Regiment, El Greco Bust
- Thread starter tonydawe
- Start date
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Don Johnson
Well-Known Member
Tony, the close-up image catches the good job you've done differentiating between the collar of the shirt, the "cravat", and the waistcoat.
The shirt - probably made from a linen material, so the warmer off-white color is perfect.
The cravat - lace? silk? not sure, but the "whiter" shade of pale seems appropriate!
The waistcoat (I'm told by a reenactor buddy that the "correct" pronunciation is "wescut") - I've seen both grey and green versions for this unit, so you're on solid ground (or at least as solid as anything can get dealing with the AWI!) with your choice of grey.
I would pose one question for you, which you probably have already considered, but here it is anyway: you presently have the buckle on the crossbelt as white metal. The buttons are white metal. Have you considered a brass buckle, which is also historically correct, and might provide a contrast to the buttons?
Regardless of your decision, it is your figure, and you are doing a wonderful job with it! Can't wait to see the next steps!
Best regards,
Don
The shirt - probably made from a linen material, so the warmer off-white color is perfect.
The cravat - lace? silk? not sure, but the "whiter" shade of pale seems appropriate!
The waistcoat (I'm told by a reenactor buddy that the "correct" pronunciation is "wescut") - I've seen both grey and green versions for this unit, so you're on solid ground (or at least as solid as anything can get dealing with the AWI!) with your choice of grey.
I would pose one question for you, which you probably have already considered, but here it is anyway: you presently have the buckle on the crossbelt as white metal. The buttons are white metal. Have you considered a brass buckle, which is also historically correct, and might provide a contrast to the buttons?
Regardless of your decision, it is your figure, and you are doing a wonderful job with it! Can't wait to see the next steps!
Best regards,
Don
Great colour scheme Tony.
Carl.
Carl.
tonydawe
A Fixture
Hi Don,
Thanks so much for your continued support and encouragement. The strap buckle will be changed to brass, as I agree with your point about adding a different colour metal.
Hi Carl, thanks mate. The colours were chosen following advice and help from Don, so he deserves some of the credit. I'm glad you like them.
I've almost finished painting with acrylics and will dust off my oils to do the subtle transitions on the uniform and skin. I'm also laying down the design for the scrimshaw patten on the powder horn, so there's still a long way to go.
Thanks so much for your continued support and encouragement. The strap buckle will be changed to brass, as I agree with your point about adding a different colour metal.
Hi Carl, thanks mate. The colours were chosen following advice and help from Don, so he deserves some of the credit. I'm glad you like them.
I've almost finished painting with acrylics and will dust off my oils to do the subtle transitions on the uniform and skin. I'm also laying down the design for the scrimshaw patten on the powder horn, so there's still a long way to go.
megroot
A Fixture
Looking really great so far.
up to the finish.
marc
up to the finish.
marc
tonydawe
A Fixture
Don Johnson
Well-Known Member
It's a treat for us that you're taking the extra effort and time to record each session's progress. Hereafter, anyone who paints this bust, and doesn't openly acknowledge your SBS, deserves a kick in the pants!
In image 4, the fading of the hat (black toward grey) is most visible, and I think well done. The same effect is not as visible from the front - probably just the lighting and the tilt of the hat.
Like Marc, I'm anxious to have you bring this piece to completion, but I'm also enjoying the ride!!
Don
In image 4, the fading of the hat (black toward grey) is most visible, and I think well done. The same effect is not as visible from the front - probably just the lighting and the tilt of the hat.
Like Marc, I'm anxious to have you bring this piece to completion, but I'm also enjoying the ride!!
Don
tonydawe
A Fixture
Hi Don,
thank you very much for your comments mate. The hat is turning grey slowly, but the front is rather shadowed and therefore darker than the back. Before I finish, I will apply a dusting of black and brown pastel chalks to the hat to try and give it the appearance of felt (and also reduce any shine from the oils).
Hi Mitsutaka,
Thank you very much for your positive comments. I will do my best to eliminate all shine from the uniform, and have a slightly satin finish to the flesh. I plan to use pastel chalk over the oils to reduce shine, and then seal the pastels with a spray of dullcoat. Hopefully that will create a nice matt finish.
thank you very much for your comments mate. The hat is turning grey slowly, but the front is rather shadowed and therefore darker than the back. Before I finish, I will apply a dusting of black and brown pastel chalks to the hat to try and give it the appearance of felt (and also reduce any shine from the oils).
Hi Mitsutaka,
Thank you very much for your positive comments. I will do my best to eliminate all shine from the uniform, and have a slightly satin finish to the flesh. I plan to use pastel chalk over the oils to reduce shine, and then seal the pastels with a spray of dullcoat. Hopefully that will create a nice matt finish.
Looking good Tony. You don't normally us oils do you?
Carl.
Carl.
tonydawe
A Fixture
Hi Carl,
I used to paint exclusively in oils until about 6 years ago, when I discovered acrylics. For the past 5 years I painted almost exclusively in acrylics, and about a year ago I started painting "oils over acrylics". It's been a slow evolutionary process, but I find that acrylics are better for some applications and oils are superior for others.
I also find that I can achieve much smoother transitions and blending between shadows and highlights with oils than I can with acrylics.
I used to paint exclusively in oils until about 6 years ago, when I discovered acrylics. For the past 5 years I painted almost exclusively in acrylics, and about a year ago I started painting "oils over acrylics". It's been a slow evolutionary process, but I find that acrylics are better for some applications and oils are superior for others.
I also find that I can achieve much smoother transitions and blending between shadows and highlights with oils than I can with acrylics.
tonydawe
A Fixture
Hi guys,
Latest pics showing finishing touches to the face, such as 5 o'clock shadow and final shading under eyes and hair.
At Don's suggestion I've changed the buckle to a brass colour and attempted to make the buttons pewter colour rather than silver.
I've painted the powder horn and now need to start on the scrimshaw.
Comments/ criticism welcome.
Latest pics showing finishing touches to the face, such as 5 o'clock shadow and final shading under eyes and hair.
At Don's suggestion I've changed the buckle to a brass colour and attempted to make the buttons pewter colour rather than silver.
I've painted the powder horn and now need to start on the scrimshaw.
Comments/ criticism welcome.
Attachments
tonydawe
A Fixture
Scrimshaw...aaaarrrrgggghhhh
This the first time I've attempted to paint scrimshaw, and I feel my first effort is a bit crude and disappointing.
I've used a number of photos of historic powder horns for reference but I don't feel I've captured the look. It's not easily seen in these pics but I've painted a country house within the dark circle and added the letters "N.Y." to suggest a domestic New York country scene.
I thought about carving the patterns with my hobby knife but that was waaaay too difficult (and painful on my fingers).
I haven't finished the powder horn yet, but as you can see it's glued on now, so I'll add some shading and highlights and that should be the finish line.
This the first time I've attempted to paint scrimshaw, and I feel my first effort is a bit crude and disappointing.
I've used a number of photos of historic powder horns for reference but I don't feel I've captured the look. It's not easily seen in these pics but I've painted a country house within the dark circle and added the letters "N.Y." to suggest a domestic New York country scene.
I thought about carving the patterns with my hobby knife but that was waaaay too difficult (and painful on my fingers).
I haven't finished the powder horn yet, but as you can see it's glued on now, so I'll add some shading and highlights and that should be the finish line.
Attachments
Looking a the scrimshaw, I think you've made a great job of it.
Carl.
Carl.
Don Johnson
Well-Known Member
I agree with Carl - well done!!
Based on the horns in the Deerfield Museum, the "artwork" ranges from a crudely scratched "Jed - his horn", to various random "doodles", to more recognizable "scenes" or lettering.
This was a tool and a necessity - artistic enhancement didn't add to its utility.
I think the shade of the horn is well represented, and in harmony with the rest of the piece.
You are doing a remarkable job bringing this piece to life!
Don
Based on the horns in the Deerfield Museum, the "artwork" ranges from a crudely scratched "Jed - his horn", to various random "doodles", to more recognizable "scenes" or lettering.
This was a tool and a necessity - artistic enhancement didn't add to its utility.
I think the shade of the horn is well represented, and in harmony with the rest of the piece.
You are doing a remarkable job bringing this piece to life!
Don
tonydawe
A Fixture
Thanks Carl,
It's still a WIP but I appreciate you positive comments.
Hi Don,
thank you for your sustained support throughout this project. Knowing that you are keeping a close eye on my progress has given me the incentive I needed to go that extra mile. Now it's timeto do all those fiddly little final touches before declaring the bust completed. Hopefully I'll have final pics to share in a couple of days.
It's still a WIP but I appreciate you positive comments.
Hi Don,
thank you for your sustained support throughout this project. Knowing that you are keeping a close eye on my progress has given me the incentive I needed to go that extra mile. Now it's timeto do all those fiddly little final touches before declaring the bust completed. Hopefully I'll have final pics to share in a couple of days.
