Took a couple of days to do modelling and had a surge of productivity. Here is my completed 1/6 portrait of Marechal Jean Lannes, Duc de Montebello. Sculpted in sculpey firm. He wears the same uniform as shown in Gerard's famous portrait including the Commanding General's baldrick. I decided to show him holding his bicorne as I really like sculpting and painting these hats.

He will be painted in oils as some point. I am in a sculpting mode at the moment so I may go on to my next project in clay.

Colin

Wow, lots of detail work there...nice job!
Scott

that looks great lots of good detail well done indeed.

ian

www.ellesminiatures.com

You get a lot of work done when you're ............ambitious!!

Bob

Very cool, Colin. I'll be following this one

more great work Colin

great work!

Thanks Kevin and all. Next up .... Considering Edouard de Colbert Chabannais (Lanciers Rouges). Or perhaps GFM von Kluge. Not sure.

I spotted some minor flaws on this guy that I need to iron out. I am not rushing into painting him as that is always my downfall....I need to discipline myself go go slow and oils should assist. I have also come to the conclusion that I like the "oil portrait" effect I can get on these large busts.

Colin

Stunning piece Colin, well done.

nice work Colin

Another superb adittion to your French Marechals collection!
As Nap said it would be perfect if it was commercial... I "envy" all of you who have the talent to create
such masterpieces but talent isnt something that goes commercial and therefore i cant buy it, bad for me...
Congratulations Colin!!! waiting to see him painted.

I am overwhelmed by the many crisp details this piece has to offer. Your sculpting mode payed off.

Colin your sculpting is improving in leaps and bounds. Amazing detail and precision.

Colin your sculpting is improving in leaps and bounds. Amazing detail and precision.

I want to echo the praise for the detail given already but I'm very impressed in the crispness of the hand

Thanks for the feedback on Lannes. Would be interesting to know what this Marshal would have achieved had he not died of wounds received at Essling. First of the Marshals to die in action.

I tried something new on this piece that worked really well. After each component was done, I painted it with sculpey brand glaze. This massively increased the strength (particularly important for hair and bicorne feathers). After the piece was complete, I painted the whole piece in sculpey glaze. The glaze does not go tacky in the oven when baking subsequent additions of clay. It also seems to stop the softness that occurs with repeated bakings and it fills in small gaps and blemishes without obscuring details. I noticed that the undercoat is much smoother than normal due to the glaze.

I'm gobsmacked, Colin, and I've seen quite a few of your sculpts now; this is your best yet. The precision of the embroidery and medal detail is stunning and you've captured the personality of Lannes beautifully. I am in awe...

Look forward to seeing it in the flesh!

Cheers,
Brian

Beautiful sculpt of this bust Colin. Too bad it won't be available as a commercial figure or can we hope to the contrary?