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WIP Critique Capitaine Bonaparte 1793

Discussion in 'vBench (Works in Progress)' started by gazer, Oct 1, 2020.

  1. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Hello all,

    Following the assistance I got in a previous thread, I finally got my MM Bonaparte Officier D'artillerie.

    I started by filing the mold seams. Most of them are delicate and easy to remove. However, I struggle with an unsightly seam just in the posterior part of the crotch/front aspect of the turnbacks (see pic). Would love to read your advice.
    10 1 2020 seam marked.jpg
    Also, any help with reference to revolutionary artillery uniforms would be appreciated, as some of the pictures I saw on the net are somewhat conflicting. Among other issues, I would like to ask if omitting the metal gorget seen in some of the pics (and not molded in the MM figure) is "legit"?

    Best,

    Benny
  2. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Benny

    Nice to see you got this figure

    Regarding the seam ...I would try and fire it off and then use putty to rework if needed

    As for the gorget .....normally worn but I don't think it's unreasonable to leave it off ..but this is Bonaparte so I would add !!

    Look forward to seeing more on this

    Happy benchtime

    Nap

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    gazer likes this.
  3. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    These might help

    Nap

    image.jpeg image.jpeg image.png image.png
  4. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Thanks Nap!

    I was not familiar with the upper left plate. As of now, these are the "rivet counting" issues I have to decide on:
    1. Gorget - I think I'll omit it. The completed figure will be a gift (more on that when completed). I don't have the skills to reproduce it nicely enough, and I need to progress in a timely manner.
    2. Color of the collar - It seem the the outer side of the collar is blue with red piping, and only when folded out, a full red color is seen (see two bottom photos VS upper right photo)
    3. Color of the turnback - similarly to the collar issue: are they blue with red piping or red altogether ?

    I know that most of these issues are important mostly to calm my OCD, but if it is possible to achieve concrete information, that could be nice :)

    Thank you very much

    Benny
    Nap likes this.
  5. Viking Bob PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    If you are ever stuck take a look at the MM site, great resource of the painted figure.

    bonaparte-au-siege-de-toulon-1793-1.png bonaparte-au-siege-de-toulon-1793-2.png bonaparte-au-siege-de-toulon-1793-3.png bonaparte-au-siege-de-toulon-1793.png
    Nap and gazer like this.
  6. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Thanks Bob!

    The frontal and back pictures actually come printed on a card supplied with the figure. The half turned pictures are new to me and are great. Maybe I should stop being a smart*#s and just go with the box-art...

    Cheers,

    Benny
    Viking Bob likes this.
  7. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    LOL

    I would go with the red edging on the collar and use the box art as reference

    Happy benchtime

    Nap
    Viking Bob and gazer like this.
  8. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Hey all,

    An update with my usual super-slow pace:
    1. Finished prepping the figure with files, epoxy putty, gray automotive primer (I like the Dupli-color spray), further filing and sanding where needed, etc.
    2. A final coat of the gray primer and on top a zenithal layer of Tamiya's white fine surface primer. It gives a subtle effect which is not as dramatic as seen in some of the videos or SBS articles out there, but it was the first time I try something like that, and I was happy with the results
    3. Acrylic base coat for the face, eyes, and first, second and third highlights

    That's it for now... Thanks for watching. Feedback for improvement is always welcome!

    12 04 2020.jpg 12 12 2020.jpg
  9. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Hello friends,

    Today I had some progress with my Napoleon, and I call the face finished.
    I learned a lot in the process and have some insights and areas for improvements, but will implement them in other figures to come. The hair and bicorne are blocked in black, mainly to frame the face. All in Vallejo acrylics so far.
    As always, ALL feedback is welcome!

    Have a pleasant and productive weekend

    Benny

    Attached Files:

  10. grenadier Member

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    That face is really good.
    You have followed the lines of the sculpt and
    Captured his serious facial expression.
    A bit of subtle high highlight and deep shadow here and there
    Would give the face even more life,but I think that it’s fine as it is.l
    gazer likes this.
  11. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Thank you Grenadier for the comment!
  12. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Hello planeteers,

    Another small step with Napoleon. I was not happy with the face when re-examining the figure and it's pictures. The shadows seemed to harsh for me and made him look older, especially when viewed by the naked eye. I decided to soften and lighten them, and it went much quicker than I anticipated. I am happy with the face now.
    The time was spent to finish his bicorn and hair. Please share your comments and insights!

    Cheers,

    Benny
    1 30 2021B.jpg 1 30 2021C.jpg
  13. Airkid A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Nice work Benny. I think the face is now much improved. Watching with interest!

    Phil
    gazer likes this.
  14. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Hey Phil,

    Thank you for the encouraging comment!

    Benny
    Airkid likes this.
  15. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Some more progress with Capt. Bonaparte - I have sort of a deadline, but more about that when I finish him.
    I more or less completed the uniform color + red facings and piping.
    It is not too important for me (nor practical IMO for late 18th century fabrics) to be 100% precise about the color, but trying my best to achieve the blue I had in mind by mixing available acrylics I had, led me to decide to dive deeper in the future into color mixing by using limited acrylic palette of good quality primary colors, as the other option is to acquire endless color bottles, which is totally ok, but less so for me.
    I also attached the figure to its base and expanded the foundations for the groundwork with some magic-sculpt 2 8 2021A.jpg 2 20 2021A.jpg 2 20 2021B.jpg 2 20 2021C.jpg .

    As always, all feedback is welcome

    Benny
    Airkid likes this.
  16. Airkid A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Nice work so far Benny. I like your idea about using a limited palette. It's nice to have "go-to" colours in the rack, but I find I can end up with a whole batch that don't get used much, if at all.

    Phil
    gazer likes this.
  17. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Thanks Phil

    This is exactly how I feel. I think the ability to mix colors and achieve the tone and value you have in mind for a certain hue gives you flexibility and freedom without having to purchase a whole bottle for potentially a once in a lifetime use of a single drop of paint.
    Airkid likes this.
  18. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Some (minor) progress:
    A bit of work few weeks ago and again yesterday: buttons, epaulettes, other gold emroidery.
    Still to do: boots, gloves, sword, base, small corrections and touch-ups (spots where paint scratched-off and where some gold landed in undesired places).
    Please, your honest feedback! 5 10 2021A.jpg
    5 10 2021B.jpg 5 10 2021C.jpg 5 10 2021D.jpg

    Cheers,

    Benny
  19. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Had some progress, but would like to share my work on the sword:

    1. white primer (Tamiya spray) for the handle and knot, black primer (Rustoleum spray) for the scabbard
    2. Scabbard in Vallejo black-gray. Tip in gold extracted from a water soluble golden felt marker, vallejo sepia wash in the end
    3. Handle in Vallejo gold with highlights drybrushed with a mix of Vallejo gold + flat yellow + white
    4. Knot in a base cote of Vallejo burnt umber, than successive coats of yellow ochre, sand yellow, flat yellow.
    5. Sepia wash over handle and knot
    6. Off white+ivory for the part under the folding guard

    Hope you like it. All comments are welcome

    7 16 2021.jpg

    Cheers,

    Benny
    Nap likes this.
  20. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Capt. Bonaparte is completed!
    But before photos of the actual finished figure, few words about the background for this work. I mentioned in a post from back in February that I have a sort of a deadline: You can see the photo of my wife's niece below and in this thread, taken by an IDF spokesperson photographer, from way back in her basic training in the IDF artillery.
    ט.jpg

    Few months ago she completed her training as an artillery officer. I wanted her to draw inspiration and encouragement from the most famous artillery officer in history. I am well past her graduation ceremony (and the self imposed deadline), but better late than never I assume... I will present it to her soon.
    The plate contains a dedication for her. It translates: "Dear xxx, Napoleon also started his career in the artillery. Captain Bonaparte, the siege of Tulon, 1793"
    Base by s-73 - excellent service, excellent product, excellent price!
    PXL_20210914_152212444~2.jpg
    PXL_20210914_152212444~3.jpg PXL_20210914_152409592~2.jpg PXL_20210914_152455281~3.jpg PXL_20210914_152721972~2.jpg PXL_20210914_152734216~3.jpg

    I would appreciate your comments

    Cheers,

    Benny
    Old Pete likes this.

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