Thanks for kind words on the base Nap...much appreciated

When Del first mentioned the up-turned canon barrel I wasn't sure but...as said...I am so glad I went with it...the perfect counterpoint to the figure IMHO.

I love doing horses...especially dappled grey's...so many to draw inspiration from...more so because I love using several techniques on them...stippling...airbrushing...transparent oils...glazes etc. etc.
Add to that the colours in the rider...a black sheepskin saddle...the dappled grey...all have to blend with the groundwork...which dictated the colours I chose for it (base)...to create a balance to all the elements.

Ron

Pulling up a chair for this Ron. Super start on the base and looking forward to seeing the horse and figure with some paint on. Got a trumpeter Orleans Cavalry (Bonapartes) on the bench at the moment-couldn’t muster the funds for the original PM version back in the day but always wanted to get my hands on some of the PM mounted figures. Works of art in their own right.

Neal

Nice to see a SBS from the very beginning.I remember seeing this all-time-classic figure in an old Military Modelling magazine and a very good painted example in Verlinden´s War Paint issue.
But the price was in that times lightyears away from my wallet .....if I find a metall example,I´ll catch them up!

Hi Neal,
glad you like the start mate...and pleased to have you along.
I did the Orleans trumpeter many moons ago when it was released...got gold at the annual BMSS comps with it...well chuffed.
The finest mounted figures of their day...and still so even in today's market IMHO...as you rightly say...works of art.

Cheers for comment.

Ron

Always enjoyed sharing the process of a lot of my pieces...if it helps others it makes it all the more enjoyable.
To be fair to Ray...you always got your moneys worth...but yes...a considerable outlay at the time.
I can genuinely recommend Bonapartes castings of the PM range...never been disappointed with one yet...and personally...I think they are reasonable prices by today's standards.

Cheers

Ron

Hi Nap,
I welcome any input as always mate
First and second pics are beautiful...either one would fit with the overall colour scheme of base and rider

Much appreciated,

Ron

I really like that base, it will really set it off. Good to see you back at it mate
Steve

Hi Steve,
I like to think that the base makes an ideal setting for this particular figure...and a pleasant change from grass/rocks etc.
It's been a fair while since I had the brushes out...but couldn't resist having a go with this one.

Hi Ron, good to see you posting and I will be watching with interest, great start with the base.

Keith

Hello mate...been a fair while...what with the strange world we live in now...and a general loss of enthusiasm...which hopefully will return with this project...glad to have you along for the ride

Cheers Carl...pleased you like the start

Look forward to seeing this , the grey will be a challenge , im ready to paint the PM dragoon but the sheer weight of the horse is putting me off

Been involved in another project...but have managed to get the horse cleaned up...getting slow in my old age mate

Dappled Grey's are by far my favourite coat...and provide a real challenge in so many ways...there are infinite variations to choose from...and the range of colours is unique in itself.

PM's horses have always been a challenge to hold/support whilst painting...with the obvious point of contact being the hole for the tail...which is a huge strain on the wrist!
Ray moulded in steel pins to both the legs that touch the ground...so you cant drill into them and insert steel rods yourself...which would have given you two nice strong mounting points for a vice.
I usually drill a hole between both the front and rear legs...and insert 3mm brass rods...angled towards each other...so they can be clamped in a vice...then plug them with wood to fill the holes once the horse coat is finished.
It's much easier to colour the wood with the base colour than metal when the horse is mounted on it's chosen base.
Another option...at least with the Hussar horse...is to drill a mounting hole in the under belly...where the main saddle (girth) strap goes...and again use a 3mm post...the hole is then hidden by the strap when it's glued on.

As an aside...whilst looking for some bits for this project...I came across the horse you kindly gave me a few years ago...so I will be doing two dappled greys...double the fun

Wow Ron, beautiful base already! Ya couldn't have picked a tougher big dog to paint, couldja? Not ever having painted a big dog, I'm going to have to stick to a common Chesnut color for my first run, lol. I'm in