Paul,
I thank you, not sure if superb would be the word I'd use, especially with some of the amazing sculpting being posted on here.
Thanks again
Chris.

Hi Steve,
Thanks again, I'm really looking forward to using the pieces on upcoming projects, just thought I'd have a crack at making a head from scratch myself. The charleville looks superb and will give the sculpt some credibility if I can pull it off and that's what I'm also hoping I can do with the rest of the pieces I got from you.
Cheers
Chris.

Hi Chris,

I can see some real progress happening now. The pose looks very natural and spot on to the drawing you're using as reference. Still a long way to go but you're definitely on the right track.

Hi Tony,
Thanks for looking back in, yep has been a bit of a muck around with different aspects of the build and like they say it's all about the preparation. Later it'll be all about what wver stahe I mabge to get to
Cheers
Chris.

I'm thoroughly impressed Chris!! You've so far (for me) nailed the bearskin, the head & the pose - sheesh!

A question about the bearskin - is there an armature wire or similar running from the interior of the head to just a few millimeters of the top of the bearskin? In one of the photos, I can see aluminum foil packed inside the bearskin. In your text posts - don't see the armature mentioned, but unless you've experienced a problem, most people don't.

All the best,
Dan

Hi Dan,
Thanks for your kind words. I guess I'm mindful that I'm probably going to be using predominantly greenstuff, so to compensate overusing it in areas that a just a filler I'm trying to come up with some cheap materials that will be ok for this.
So firstly the wire armature with which we have quite a bit of from previous art classes my wife and I have taught. And decided to make use of foil as it can be easily manipulated and shaped as this was used as a horn shape to fill and use as a guide for the bearskin. It probably went around two thirds of the way up as I wanted a bit of room to play with in regards to height. Not sure if anyone knows the exact but I'm roughly working on aprox two heads high. And also have at this stage added more aluminum foil to the torso and then painted some Matt Mod Podge glue to keep it relatively together. And now I'm thinking of putting some air drying clay or das also to use as a filler before applying the final layer of greenstuff or milliput.
By the way, I decided again to give the bearskin more height and thus covering over the first attempt of the grenade on top, so another crack at that. I've also decided that the front plate was to small and so made that larger resukting in covering half the eagle, so again back to the drawing board.


Cheers
Chris.

Braver man than me, looks excellent.

the busby of the grenadiers, the drawing is completely wrong in shape

Hi Bob,
I think more stupid not brave, I'm probably setting myself up for a fall , it'll be entertaining from the viewers end at least, thanks for looking in.
Cheers
Chris.

I Nap,
The advice from Dan regarding the hair cream and isopropyl was a step in the right direction for me, but I decided to use glycerin instead with the isopropyl. I'm actually thinking even more along the lines of say 80%-100% straight gylcerin as it really makes it easy to spread with almost no stickyness. I haven't been able to try this enough yet to say completely, but I think it'll be a situation where you could vary this depending on what your attempting to achieve ie smooth: more, rough: less. It doesn't seem to effect bonding but I still need to complete more to verify.
Cheers
Chris.

Hi,
I agree that the bearskin shape seems to contradict what we see in 95% of pictures. I feel that for me I like the way it's been illustrated in this one and some others by the artist. Also I think that in some way it could be a possibility that being on campaign where its handled alot, becomes sweaty, oily, wet, grabbed, folded, dropped, stood on could result in not looking like the beautifully kept ones we see on display and depicted by other artists. I have been toying with the idea of changing shape but there's something that's attracted me to this particular depiction of the Grumbler.
Thanks for posting the pictures for reference, I'll be sure to using them.
Regards
Chris.

Hi,
I've added some filler with some Das that I have used for groundwork. It's giving the opportunity to help with reference of shape as well. He's adept to some praymantis poses for his pursuit of finding inner calm through the constent rigors of the campaign.
Chris.

Forgot to post this update

Coming together really nice, should look great when it is done..

Thanks for your encouragement, I'm trying to keep on track with this.
Cheers chris.

Here's a little update of the bearskin.
Regards
Chris.

No problem Nap, I'm starting a two week break from work so will hopefully give me more time between doing this and having the kids tightening the screws
Chris.

Great project Chris. I really like these large scale figures.
Gordon