Hi everyone

After a rather fun time with my last bust of Melchett from Blackadder it’s time to get back a few medals ....and a bit of bling ...

Inspired by the fine work of PF member akaryu here https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/mikhail-skobelev.563366/

Using the excellent references from Pierre for the medals , I will make one difference ...the sash will be different , namely THE ORDER OF ST ANNA 1st CLASS

My version is based on this image of the man

Reference here





From Pierre’s V Bench

Here’s we I am at the moment

After reworking the collar and sash where it meets both head and torso basecoated ...going to paint the flesh/beard first , then the collar , main uniform , sash , aguilette and then medals etc

Doesn’t a certain PF star look a little like our general ... ....just saying ...lol

Stay tuned

Have fun at the Bench

Nap

Nice to see you taking on the bearded one Nap!

I mean Skobelev, not Simon...

Cheers,

Pierre

Just one or two ...lol

Good to have you looking in

I “was” thinking about removing the star and then adding both chest awards as in my reference .......should be enough space if I follow how close they are in portrait

Need to confirm both of the awards fully !

Nap

If I may add another two eurocents Kev, you chose the ribbon for the St Anna order, which has the star dangling at the level of the hip and therefore out the scope of this bust.

This means any additional star below the Saint George star has to be the Prussian Rote Adler with swords:


Following with great interest,

cheers,

Pïerre

Thank you young Sir ......the similarity is I feel the good looks you both have and a rather flamboyant beard ....have I got out of this hole I got into ?

Pleased to say the flesh is coming on nicely ....will post pics once beard and hair all finished

Hope your relaxing on holiday mate

Nap

Cheers Pierre , dare I ask if you have reference pics for each , finding. 1885 versions which are not suitable as he died in ‘82 !

Great to have you watching this

Nap

Saw this on putty & paint by Konstantin Kapitonov

Good reference to have along with Pierre’s

And these from a Russian website



Nap

Hope this helps in one way or another.

Having made my way through the quagmire of the very un-German chaos of the Rote Adler Order, I concluded this on Mikhail's breastwork, from top to bottom in the B&W pic above:

1. The Saint George star, Russian tsarist version:



2. It was in fact allowed to wear the breast star of the Saint Anna in conjunction with the sash and its dangling bauble:



3. Now the red bird:

The breast star of the order was (for the Grand Cross) a golden eight-pointed star, (for 1st Class) a silver eight-pointed star, or (for 2nd Class) a silver four-pointed star with a white enameled cross pattée, all with straight rays. The central disc bore the red eagle on a white enamel background, surrounded by a ring (enameled blue for Grand Cross, white for the others) bearing the motto of the Order, Sincere et Constanter.
After September 16, 1848, awards of all classes (except the medal) bestowed for military merit had two golden swords crossed through the central medallion.
In the first class the eagle has a laurel wreath in its claws, only in the grand cross (which Mikhail didn’t have), the bird brandishes a sword and sceptre.
Couldn’t find any decent pics, except left the correct version in a recent copy, right a period one without swords.

Success and happy sculpting/painting,
Pierre

Hi Pierre

Many thanks for details ...appreciated , keeping for future pieces ....decided to be sensible ...will just keep to what’s on the bust ie the St George Star

Verbal update ...flesh done ...I think ...onto the “Briggsy” beard

Nap

Your so cruel Ski ....lol ...believe me there’s more busts waiting patiently with a “little bit of bling”

Painted the collar and started the “briggsy beard” .....following Konstantin’s version

Stay tuned

Look forward to seeing more from you good Sir

Nap

Just the torso ....leaving the head as it’s off to finish hair

Finished collar off less the lace , sash now completed .....will work on the uniform blue at show ...that’s the plan

Hey that’s a good idea ...thanks for that and for the comment

Happy benchtime

Nap