Just put the finishing touches on this figure from the workbench of Mr. M. Correy. A very enjoyable few evenings of painting with only one modifiction involved. I replaced the kit musket with a Martini-Henri rifle from Steve Readdie's marvelous collection of scale weapons. Just to reassure folks, this figure has a pure matt finish, so any appearance of sheen is a product of the lighting in the photos and due to the fact that I really concentrated on the highlights during painting. Any comments and/or criticisms are welcome.

Hi Glenn,
Very nice job overall I like how he's turned out, I've got this one to do also. A pity there are not a few more figures released to stand along side this one. Just my personal preference I would have stained the helmet mate.
Something may be to consider as he is reaching in the bag for a round, lower the cocking lever so it's in the reloading position!
cheers
Richie

Great results on this. He's also on my bench. If I might ask, what base color did you use for the trousers?
Tom

Hi Glenn,

I like the paint job on the figure and appreciate the conversion to the Martini Henry rifle, but I'm not liking the groundwork as much. The clumps of grass look quite uniform and unrealistic and detract from the presentation of the figure. I'd suggest you add some variety to your grass by thinning out some of those clumps, cutting some of the grass clumps to make them less even in length and paint them different colours - some yellow, some brown, some light green. It may also help to scatter some leaves and rocks on the surface to disguise where the grass clumps are secured to the base. I also note the heel of the right foot isn't planted into the ground. Sorry to nit pick, but I know what a good modeller you are and I know you will accept this criticism in the spirit it is given.

The figure is really nicely painted. I might have dusted him with dirt a bit more given the South African setting. I didn't notice the grass but now Tony mentions it, I think he is right.

Cheers

Colin

Thanks very much guys, I appreciate the comments and especially the tips for improvement. Ground work has never been my forte, in so far as I loathe having to do it, but I recognize the need to create an appropriate setting for my figures, so the tips will be put to good use! Thanks again for sharing your expertise Tony, always good to hear from you; I will carefully consider your idea of changing the rifle Richie, but may balk at the idea if I think I may make a hash of it, which could very likely be the case; Hi Tom, I used Vallejo Prussian Blue for the base, and used oils for shadows and highlights; and Colin I will give him a vigorous dusting of chalk pastel in the appropriate range of colours.

Thanks Glenn. All of my references seemed to have different colors.

No worries Tom, keep in mind I never said I had the right colour, so your references are probably more accurate. All I did was do a quick google image search.

Hi Glenn/Tom,
Here is what I use, Vallejo dark prussian blue and a touch of black for the base coat. I suppose it depends on the amout of fading you want to portray and here's the result below and that is with direct light coming through the window when I took the photo.
cheers
Richie

That looks good Richie, the lighting on my photos leave a little to be desired as well, and I was trying to get a good contrast between shadow and highlight but I like the darker tones on your version.

Hi Glenn,
Thanks, but I think your contrasts are really good. I can't remember the exact ratio I used but is was about 15/20 percent black to the dark prussian blue!, I tend to paint by eye and feel rather than precise mixing ratios. But if you look at this period sketch from the Zulu war you will see there is nothing wrong with your version mate.
cheers
Richie

Glenn/Richie, thank you both. The trousers were the one thing that I needed some assistance with the colors.

Lovely paint job on this especially given the scale.....I have to agree as someone who can't seem to do a realistic base to save my life that is the only thing I would say that needs bit of tweaking....I also have this figure and mine came not with a musket but with the required Martini...was there a change I missed.......once again impressive .....would also like to see a couple of companions to this figure at some time ie Csgt Bourne and maybe Bromhead.......how about it Gordon? LOL

Hi Kevin,
I utterley agree a few more figures to stand with Bromhead. But it's not down to Gordon I think, but in the hands of the talented sculptor....Moz.
cheers
Richie

Hello Richie...my point was its guys like Gordon who stick their neck out for us modellers/painters and put there cash where our mouths are......thank goodness they do too....like yourself I love anything to do with the zulu war period and really miss the old Mike French range still looking for the Ardendorff Bromhead Chard diarama he produced really wish someone would re introduce his old range .....really wish I bought that one when I had the chance back in the 90's although looking at your sculpting lately maybe your the man to fill the gap...really impressed with your zulu war conversions am Trying a mounted lancer myself and was spurred on by your photo of your cabinet....following all your threads with interest...all the best and keep converting

As Richie says Kevin it would be great to have a few more of these in this scale in particular Chard & colour sgt Bourne.. They are on the 'list' which would keep Moz in work for a few years. I know the incredible work load he has but he may fit it in for me at some point especially as I have not released many 75mm figures recently.
The figure is supplied with a Martini rifle so I apologise in respect of the musket which must have been an error on my part. I think this is the first painted version of this model I have seen and I think it looks great.
Cheers
Gordon

Hi Kevin,
You are much too generous about my work, but thank you anyway, if I have inspired you that's enough for me. I totally agree about Gordon a top, top bloke. I know the Mike French moulds are in the hands of a private collector who does not need to re-release them as he is very well off. I know because I tried to buy the moulds, masters and rights. A pity I did not get them as I could have made about 50 conversions for release and this was not for a profit making venture but to give the modelling community a vast range of unique Zulu war figures, there would have been a lot of other regiments and Colonials come out not only the 24th. Because I have only been modelling 3 years or so I have concentrated on these figure and I am lucky to have a full set, although the Ardendorff/Bromhead set are not boxed.
cheers
Richie

Hi Gordon,
Can't you get him to do a bit of overtime! I agree Glenn has done a good job on this one. Sorry Glenn if your post is being hijacked we are just Zulu nuts thats all.
cheers
Richie

What a shame they won't see the light of day again.....can't honestly see the point of buying up the rights and just letting them gather dust....a real loss to the modelling world....

Also sorry Glen ....back on track now mate....I find blues really hard to replicate and look effective but you've nailed it with the trousers .....Great