WIP Critique Westphalian Chevaeu Ledger Lancier der Garde 1812

[Briggsy]

The finished figure certainly lives up to my earlier expectations, another triumph for Mr.Briggs.

Malkie

Hi, the Westphalian isn't finished yet, still got a lot of highlighting and shading on the jacket and a heck of a lot more gold lace. The Cuirassier on the other hand is complete but was only ever a practice piece.

Cheers Simon

 

[Briggsy]

Hi Simon

I am liking the Westphalian , as for the metallics ......it’s whatever works for the painter .....better with a matting though imo .

The Cuirassier works and does I am sure looks even better in scale

Your doing some cracking painting young Sir ....keep at it

Have fun at the bench

Nap

Hi Kev, he's coming along nicely, as for the metallics it is still a learning curve, trying to work out how to get the best from them.

Cheers Simon

 

[clubcat]

I like what you did on the cuirassier, nice effect.
Melanie

 

[Tommy Atkins]

Afternoon Simon! Very nice work on both chaps. I like them a lot! Regards Pete

 

[Briggsy]

Melanie, Pete, thank you very much, the cuirassier is booked away but I do have progress on the Westphalian fella but that will have to wait till tomorrow. Far too tired for photography!

Cheers Simon

 

[theBaron]

Yeah regarding metallic colors from Vallejo, I don't use them with the wet palette as much as I used to. I found that while they worked OK on the palette, left on long enough, the pigments separated from the color and really didn't mix back into a solution again. I have had a little success wicking the excess moisture out of the paint on the palette, but even better is to use a hard palette-whether ceramic, or even those fake credit cards that come in junk mail, and just put a little blob of the color down. Right from the bottle. I may add a tiny bit of water, or wet the brush. But it's thicker than the paint on my palette, and applies better. Silver, gold, and gunmetal are the only Vallejo colors that behave that way for me. I find that a little thicker, they just work better for me.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Briggsy]

Yeah regarding metallic colors from Vallejo, I don't use them with the wet palette as much as I used to. I found that while they worked OK on the palette, left on long enough, the pigments separated from the color and really didn't mix back into a solution again. I have had a little success wicking the excess moisture out of the paint on the palette, but even better is to use a hard palette-whether ceramic, or even those fake credit cards that come in junk mail, and just put a little blob of the color down. Right from the bottle. I may add a tiny bit of water, or wet the brush. But it's thicker than the paint on my palette, and applies better. Silver, gold, and gunmetal are the only Vallejo colors that behave that way for me. I find that a little thicker, they just work better for me.

Prost!
Brad

Indeed they do separate quite easily and become unworkable, I have started mixing the metallics with ordinary paint. This allows them to be thinner while keeping the metallic look but not so shiny and make shading and highlighting a lot easier. I'll post some pics later today.

Cheers Simon

 

[theBaron]

I have a bottle of Vallejo's glaze medium, too. I haven't used it much at all, but Simon, your comment about mixing the metallics with ordinary paint made me think to try the medium with the metallic colors. Ferment and foment, that's what's great about the forum!

Prost!
Brad

 

[Briggsy]

I have a bottle of Vallejo's glaze medium, too. I haven't used it much at all, but Simon, your comment about mixing the metallics with ordinary paint made me think to try the medium with the metallic colors. Ferment and foment, that's what's great about the forum!

Prost!
Brad

That's good, I love that information, techniques and knowledge are freely offered on here. Interesting that you mention the glaze medium, I have never actually used the stuff, it might be good for mixing the two types of paint. We will have to report back on his as we get to try it out!

Cheers Simon

 

[Canterbury Coxswain]

Exactly that guys.....keep it coming, we await the results and information!
Thanks,
Kim

 

[Steve Ski]

Just catching up, Simon, figs look great, Amigo!

 

[Briggsy]

Kim, Steve many thanks gents, life is conspiring to keep me away from the bench just now, mostly good stuff so it's not too bad. I'll crack on as soon as I can.

Cheers Simon

 

[BRAN]

Briggs, for metallic paint it is a good idea to mix it with "normal" paint especially in the shadows. For the lights, using pure metallic paint is also a good combination. The contrast between the shadows and the lights will be interesting....

 

[BRAN]

Kim, Steve many thanks gents, life is conspiring to keep me away from the bench just now, mostly good stuff so it's not too bad. I'll crack on as soon as I can.

Cheers Simon

Likewise, I have to go away to look after my grandson and therefore also move away from the bench.... It's a bit of a problem for all grandparents....

 

[Briggsy]

Briggs, for metallic paint it is a good idea to mix it with "normal" paint especially in the shadows. For the lights, using pure metallic paint is also a good combination. The contrast between the shadows and the lights will be interesting....

Cheers Bran, for plate metal, cuirasse, belt buckle and the like I will use mostly pure metallic paints and washes or inks etc. Mixed with normal paint it works well for lace etc. I shall post results in a short while.

Cheers Simon

 

[Briggsy]

Likewise, I have to go away to look after my grandson and therefore also move away from the bench.... It's a bit of a problem for all grandparents....

My Granddaughter is back at school now so I get some of my day back. Today's excursion was taking my youngest to Heathrow so he can fly back to university in Belgium. Costs £6 just to drop him off, then I had to go back because he left his phone in my car! Luckily I wasn't far away and could loop back but it has cost me another £6, it never ends with kids!!!

Cheers Simon

 

[Briggsy]

Finally back to the bench.

The lace of the pouch belt was painted with just metallic paint and then shaded with washes and tints.

It now is a mix of SC75 Regency Gold, this was mixed initially with Vallejo Flat Yellow, and then I added a little white for the highlights. The shade was the gold with a touch of Citadel Rhinox Hide added. Further washes of Rhinox Hide were added over this.

I then redid the trouser lace and the chest lace in a similar manner. Varying the gold to SC75 Braid Gold I painted bothe the eppulets and aiguilettes the same way.

The belt buckles and plates are painted with various tones of gold and for catchlights silver. This is then detailed with well thinned paint or inks.

The helmet currently is just base coated in brass, I found it works better on metal to paint over an undercoat of metal colour.

I think this is getting to the effects I was looking for rather than using straight metallic colours. Practice will be needed, the cuirasdiers in my other project will be perfect for that.



Let me know what you think please.

Cheers Simon

 

[clubcat]

Oh yes, that's looking very effective. I think you've nailed it, Simon.
Melanie

 

[Canterbury Coxswain]

Simon,
This is looking great, even when we are now looking very closely at your nicely explained technique. Thanks for your time and explanations on this, it's been helpful, as I'm doing research for a Napoleonic figure that's on its way and there will be plenty of 'metallic' elements on what is to be my biggest project bust to date! I always like your wholesome approach to these subjects and the encouragement that you give to us 'newbies'.
Regards,
Kim

 

[MalcC]

Another excellent addition to your collection.

Malc