His prodigious talent for war along with his reputation as a stern disciplinarian, earned Louis-Nicolas d'Avout the title "The Iron Marshal". He is ranked along with Masséna and Lannes as one of Napoleon's finest commanders. He was one of the few commanders in history to never be defeated on the field. His loyalty and obedience to Napoleon were absolute. During his lifetime, Davout's name was commonly spelled Davoust, which is how it appears on the Arc de Triomphe and in much of the correspondence between Napoleon and his general. Many thanks to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page for this excerpt.
This bust is a very much matured piece from my GA and is from Verlinden releases of Napoleon’s Marshals. It is a fine sculpt from the Pre Action Bust era with very sharp detail throughout.
For this example the top of the head was removed and I modelled a typical Marshals bicorn for circa 1808.
A pure joy for me to paint……unusually for me, in acrylics. Although a lot of work still to come I thought that I would share it with you Guys at this part cooked stage.
All the very best,
Keith

Looking very nice, superb when finished.

Nice work.

Many thanks Bob and Michael.
It is always good to hear from like minded enthusiasts.
I like your avatar Michael it was part of my inspiration.
Cheers fellows and best wishes,
Keith

Great job Keith there is life in these old pieces yet.

Colin

Great job !

I took this photo during my visit to Pere Lachaise cemetery in 2012. Beautiful place

Excellent work so far Keith and the addition of the bicorn (beautifully sculpted) makes the difference!
Congratulations!!!
Dimitris

The Iron Marshall came from an old military line of the nobility. There was a saying in the family: 'When a Davoust is born, a saber leaves its scabbard.' There is an excellent biography on him by Professor Gallagher.

Looks very good so far......Verlinden pieces still have their place.Some need a little reworking as far as todays standards go.But hey, that's part of the fun.............keep up the good work..............Regards,........Wayne

Looking good Keith

Thanks Colin good to hear from you.
I had to find something that I could easily pack up and tow around with me for three months away from the house. When I found this and blew the dust off of the box I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the sculpt and casting. I have always liked the work of Francois Verlinden from the days when he produced some super dioramas with Historex pieces with few or no figures. A skillful modeller and businessman.
Best wishes
Keith

Many thanks for your kind words Marco.
Cheers,
Keith

Hi Dimitris.
I am humbled by your comments on the headgear. I have to add that it was done using (or trying to use) methods that are used by sculpting inspiration Colin pF member crf.
Many thanks and best wishes,
Keith

Hi Wayne,
I totally agree. I view these pieces and others at this time as a major turning point for casters to achieve far better and finer detail. I wonder where we go next beyond the Carl Reid's and Moz's of our miniature world?
Thanks for your kind comment Mate and all the best
Keith

Hi Tony,
Thanks for looking in and kindly commenting Mate, always good to hear from you.
Cheers
Keith

Fantastic job on this bust. The hat looks awesome and the braid work and embroidery turned out absolutely amazing.

All round great job on this big guy

Colin

Jay and Paul,
Thanks for the additional information and photograph.
From birth to death this was one interesting fellow. It was reading a biography about him that lead me to buy this bust a few decades ago. Somewhat in the shadows of the more colourful of Napoleon's Marshals He was no doubt one of the most successful.
All the best
Keith

Hello My friend,
I hope that the world is being good to you?
I am very pleased that you like this one. Truth is I have not painted anything seriously for far too long. She who must be obeyed advised that three months of hard work on the beaches in the south of this fine country would not go amiss........Who am I to argue! So between cycling along the coast dreaming I am Sif Bradley Wiggins (but looking like Oliver Hardy) I can put in some painting time without the urge to play with Milliput.
I am pleased with the piece so far and is may sound a touch weird but I am doing the who thing with the "other Colin" as a forethought....OOER
For the braid on the hat and the scrambled egg on the jacket;
I base painted it in a chocolate brown.
Yellow ocher all over but for only the very deepest nooks and crannies leaving those in brown.
Cad yellow to pick out the highest points throughout.
Then to finish titanium white/cad yellow mix and white on it's own to to give the piece the appearance of directional light. Just adding tiny dots of each as catch lights.
Thanks for your fine comments Mate I do value you opinion especially when it a good 'un.
Best wishes,
Keith