Habit coat painted in Indigo + black + french ultramarine with unbleached titanium highlights. Cold wax added to avoid gloss.

Gold lace and oak leaves undercoated in raw umber + light cadmium yellow.

Even without the twinkle of the embroidery it's already looking superb.
I presume the slight shine on the coat is due to the freshness of the paint. How long does the cold wax addition take to act?

Andrew

Not sure Andrew. I am not too experienced with it and It's hard to know how much to put in. I expect it will take effect as the paint dries. Not sure I added enough in but it already looks satin. The camera buffs it up due to reflection.

This is coming to life, Colin. Looks great
Bob

Looking really good Colin

Never truer words. I didn't mix the wax into the paint properly as his forearm was gummy and didn't dry at the same rate as the rest. So Monsieur Le Marechal is currently reclining in a bath if oven cleaner awaiting take two. i may go to Shoppers Drug Mart for a large bottle of dettol to ensure a proper strip job. Very demoralizing but that's how we learn. On the positive side, the rest of his uniform looked great.

Try a drop of gin with the dettol Colin I find that it tastes much better....
I tried using oils many years ago but I never could subdue the sheen and went on to acrylics which I'm sticking with now although I still think oils do look better for faces. I think this is going to be another cracker once complete. Keep up the great work.
Cheers
Gordon

He's done sadly. Got the paint off but the sculpey glaze I applied turned to chewing gum textured glue. Tried oven cleaner, dettol, nail varnish remover and paint stripper (stupidly a brand I have never before tried). The stripper melted the sculpey so he is now a tragic piece of crap.

Not sure when I will pick up clay or brushes again as i just destroyed the best thing I have ever done.

Oh shit

I am truly lost for words.

Colin, that's a real shame but don't give up. Take it down as far as you need and then get right back on. You'll probably find the restoration work goes a lot faster than you would think and the result will be a lot better .
When that sort of thing happens to me, I find cursing myself for a fool helps the work along.
Best wishes, Gary.

Oh Bugger, what can I say but don't give up. ( I find a couple of beer's help)

Best regards
Bob

Damn !

Lesson learned .

March on and do him again !

Joe

Yup. He's not salvageable. Needs a clean start. Thanks for the sympathy but we've all been there.

Bad luck on this one Colin but I'm sure you will re-visit at some point. I look forward to your next 1/6th piece.
All the best
Gordon

Yes, we've all been there, my friend! Shit happens all the time.
Cheer up and I'm sure that with your talent and love for the hobby your next Marechal will be better. Always the next project is better then the previous.
After a good night you'll find the way.
Cheers my good friend and looking forward to see you soon.
Zeno

Got to say I am pretty much gutted. I may beaking a long sabbatical. Everything I have done before now looks like crap and I have zero interest in doing anything else. Hope that passes soon.

Colin, I feel your pain. It is truly frustrating when you have made great progress and sculpted something you are happy with to have it now unworkable. Chucking it across the room and swearing a lot usually works for me. One note of solace, the progress you made with your sculpting will not have left you for your next piece. Get the clay out as soon ad possible.

I can't sculpt at all Colin but always appreciate the work done by all sculptors on this forum. I particularly enjoy your 1/6th sculpts and brushwork as I now really enjoy painting this scale myself. I sincerely hope that you complete more of these in the future especially as they are of my favourite napoleonic era.
Gordon

Thanks for the encouragement gents.

No worries Gordon. I am just whiny.....with cause. I will get back at it for sure.