Valley Forge Militia - Winter 1777-78 (75mm)

[tiberius57]

Hi dear friends,
For a long time I was cooking and overcooking this project involving the Valley Forge Militia during the winter camp of 1777-78. The American Continental Army spent this winter at Valley Forge, northwest of Philadelphia. The Army arrived in December 1777 and by February 1778 lost more than 2500 soldiers and followers due to disease, starvation, malnutrition and exposure. With my good friend Armand Bayardi we developed a nice backdrop for the figures from Model Cellar, sculpted by the great Mike Blank. It’s about the Muhlenberg Hut. Scale is 1/24 (75mm). Here is my take on the “Valley Forge Militia – winter of 1777-78”.
Hope you’ll like it.
Cheers,
Zeno

 

[Aveleira]

Amazing work Zeno!! First I thought that the image was black and white. After looking closely I saw that you painted this vignette in black and white! Such is the quality of your work.

Regards
Pedro

 

[tiberius57]

Thanks Pedro! Much appreciated!
Yes, it's painted in grey scale monochromatic just the drummer boy has some elements in color as symbol of the fact that when the Army marched out from Valley Forge, in June 1778, all the disastrous conditions of the winter were left behind. The Army was able and ready to win the war.
Cheers my friend!
Zeno

 

[Aveleira]

Thanks Pedro! Much appreciated!
Yes, it's painted in grey scale monochromatic just the drummer boy has some elements in color as symbol of the fact that when the Army marched out from Valley Forge, in June 1778, all the disastrous conditions of the winter were left behind. The Army was able and ready to win the war.
Cheers my friend!
Zeno

Yes! I've heard that part of history before, in a documentary or someting. Very well depicted! Of course, reminds me of Schindler's List

 

[Wayneb]

That is really slick what you have with this. Excellent piece of work.

Wayne

 

[JGREEN]

Now that's interesting! Very cool piece, Zeno. I remember talking with you about this in Chicago when it was just in the mock-up stage. Didn't know you were going to go the black and white route, though (maybe you didn't either, at that point)
Neat idea executed well.

Jason

 

[ModelCellar]

Zeno,

WOW! That is absolutely FANTASTIC!! I love what you have done with our figures. This is the first time I have seen all three together in one little compact vignette.

regards,
Paul

 

[tiberius57]

@Pedro
Yes the Schindler's List idea influenced me when I decided what to do. I just recycled the idea to this subject. The general idea is the same.

@Wayne
Thanks a lot!
Cheers!

@Jason
Yes, you are right. At that time I didn't decided what route to take. I was focused on the composition. Just got the hut from Armand.
Thanks a lot Jason! I'm glad that you like this approach.
Hope to continue our conversation in July in Chicago.
Cheers!

@Paul

I'm glad that you like it. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for bringing on the market quality figures like this.
Absolutely outstanding pieces and customer service.
Cheers!

 

[Joe55]

Excellent Zeno, beautiful little display !

I've got that same trio in the stash and was toying with a similar idea of either using a tent or a cabin as a backdrop. So far I'm liking the cabin !

Joe

 

[John Bowery]

Awesome.
Cheers
John

 

[Squiremon]

Thanks for sharing these figures, and the info on the manufacturers. Just might have a go with them in the near future. Brandywine Battlefield is just 5 miles from my home and Valley Forge is only 20 minutes away, so I have a lot of personal inspiration for such a vignette, literally in my backyard. Very artistic presentation!

 

[phil_h]

The gray scale with just a dash of color looks amazing! Excellent work

Regards,
Phil

 

[billyturnip]

A very clever idea and beautifully painted Zeno.

 

[anstontyke]

WOW, wonderful painting, you can feel the cold just looking at the pictures.

tony

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Zeno,
A real fine diorama of some really cold Militia soldiers.
You have captured their; hunger, poor health and most of all cold very well.
Great concept with greater result.
Keith

 

[Viking Bob]

Fantastic

 

[franck edet]

absolutely fantastic !

 

[madgarden]

Very nice

 

[tiberius57]

Thank you, dear friends, for the great feedback!
I'm glad that you like it!
Cheers,
Zeno

 

[mil-mart]

Brilliant vignette.

Ken