I completed my portrait of Michel Ney this morning. Still some clean-up to do to the bottom of the piece and I may or may not add his Portugese Order of Christ below the plaque for the Legion of Honour. Almost time to dip the brush in the paints.



Colin

Colin,

This is a great looking bust! The only thing I would work on would be the eyes of the figure. They look a little small and "flat". If you used "balls" of putty (or whatever) in forming them, I would suggest that the "sphere" should be bigger than what you used. The orb of the eyeball should "push out" more from the face than you have it. The portrait of Ney that you posted in an earlier thread shows this too - and it would be a good reference for this.

This is a great looking piece! The detail, anatomy and proportions all look very good. Keep up the good work!

Cheers!!

Mike

Thanks for the helpful critique Mike. I agree with your comments although its probably too late for this one now. My objective is to improve a bit each time and I think I am at least doing that. At least I got the eyes a bit closer to the same shape this time out.

Colin

Well done Colin ,look forward to the paint ing

Ron

A masterpiece in the making............How long did it take you to sculpt this?

Great looking bust Colin.

Pedro.

Ive been blown away over the course of this build. This is amazing and has been a real insight into how such pieces are brought to life. Thank you for 'pulling back the curtain' Im looking foward to seeing this one finished and painted.

Thanks very much Fokionas. I did a previous string where you can see my progress - started 2 weeks ago yesterday.

Cheers

Colin

Looks fantastic!

A fine bit of sculptin Colin!

Joe

Great work Colin. Can't wait for the paint job...

Cheers,

Patrick

Well, it's OK, I guess.



2 weeks, eh? Wow! The likeness, the detail, the embroidery... makes me hate you a little more each day.
Seriously, all jealousy aside, this is one of your best. Wish you'd brought it to Ajax yesterday. Look forward to seeing the colour develope on this guy.

Cheers

Hi Colin,
WOW, you blink a few times and this turns up finished! Get cracking on the painting SBS mate.
cheers
Richie

Started painting this morning. Still lots to do and these are crap pix from my iPad. But it gives an idea of what he will look like coloured.



Colin

Great job on the sculpting Colin, looks very nice and some fine work on the embroidery.
Painting looks like it is of to a good start, will be following.
Steve

Excellent work. I would not add the Portugese order to him myself. I would try to achieve the look of Marshal Ney as was depicted by Gerard. You really have that now.

A few slightly better pix....still iPad. I ran over my laptop with my car so I am a little constrained on the tech side right now. A bit more shading on these but still lots to do. And yes I will be adding the other award....I love painting medals and awards but the main reason is accuracy. Below there is a shot of Ney's surviving coat from the Hermitage in Russia. I want to match his actual awards.



Colin

All this this morning ... All I managed this morning was two cups of coffee.
You've developed a really good skintone for a redhead, without making him look all pastyfaced. Just me , but I wouldn't go with too many more washes for fear of darkening the tone too much... afterall, he is still a ginger.

Look forward to your approach to the uniform and embroidery. Will you have him done by the 23rd?

Keep your iPad off the driveway

Colin

Colin - I still need to do more research on his hair colour. I read somewhere that Ney was nicknamed "Le Rougeaud," not for his hair colour but for his ruddy complexion and tendency to turn red when angry or inflamed....a Celtic habit from which I also suffer. I don't know if he will be done on the date but he will hopefully be further along. The embroidery is going to be NMM, although I may wash it with gold powder once done. We shall see.

Colin