Hi All,

I'm back with another project :lol: No rest for the weary!

This morning, feeling a bit bored, I wipped this up.
It will depict French soldiers huddled in a ditch in the act of firing at oncoming Prussians. This scene seems appropriate, since the French favored defensive tactics during this war.
I used balsa wood to build up the "ditch". Armatures roughed out. The upper torso and heads are not "set" yet. I want to make sure the bottom is complete and fits into the base first.

Side view w/ first layer of putty for groundwork.

Front view

Soldiers in a trench! Perfect for practicing some weathering techniques. I'd be happy to help you work through it if you want!

Kreston

Hey Jason!

I love trenches! I love it even more comming from your hands!

Looking forward to this one.

Cool,Jason ;looking forward to see how this one develops ! Cheers !
Kenneth :lol:

Jason, this should be good, looking forward to it

This is an interesting subject matter.
I will be following your step by step with much enjoyment.

Roc.

Jason, Whipped up? I really admire your output and way of managing time. An SBS I'm definitely looking forward to.~Gary

Dear Jason,

Looking forward to your SBS.


regards

Hi Jason, i really can't wait to see the next steps, honest, i like your work.

Jason

Looking interesting; and as Kreston said, good opportunity for weathering.

Looking forward to progress



Rob

Hi All,

It took me approx. two and half hours to put together the armatures and build up the base, now for the slow part of sculpting.

Here's where I drew inspiration, not exactly a "trench" but a grassy berm at the edge of a field or old ditch at the side of a road. This is pretty much how I envision it. Don't worry, they will be dirtier than my past fig's, so I'm well aware of my reluctance of overdoing weathering. It's funny though, my favorite subjects are soldiers on campaign!

I can't wait to see this take shape. Great start to what should be an amazing project!

Jsason, I really like the in progress idea using the trench. It is really neat to see something in the planning stages. Your work continues to amaze me. Hope you can make it down to Atlanta, GA for one of our shows one day as I would like to view your work in person.

Best of Everything, Terry Martin

Jason,
Excellent idea!
Can't wait to see you build them up!

All the best!

Patrick

Hello Jason,
It's going to be very interesting again to follow the progress of this project.
Just a question for the moment. Why did you choose to use plastic card to start the feet?
congratulations for your work and many thanks to share it here
Bye
Jean-Philippe

Thanks Patrick!

Terry, I would love to make an Atlanta show. I planned on it this year, but the weather up here was bad that week. I don't fly if I can help it, so driving is the only option. Besides, I would want to stick around and check out the CW sites again.

Jean-Philippe, the plastic card will help support the constant pushing of putty over the foot armature. To act as the soles of the boots. Once dry I will carve it into shape. Not sure If I like it. Still experimenting with this technique.

Thanks for the kind words fellas!

Thanks Jason,
I'm starting a new sculpting project and I wil try this technic also. It looks like a good idea.
Bye
Jean-Philippe

Jason
Whoa! Talk about a cool project. A bit of advice: make sure to listen to the resident Mud Master This is a "topic" that could lend itself to just about any historical era. Possible projects of the 101st. at Bastogne are already flowing through my still-recuperating-from-the-weekend-mind. Can't wait to see what you've got in store for us.

As a sidenote: it's good to come back from a 4-day hiatus in Vegas to see some truly productive discussions here (oh, Chicago and Tulsa are already paid for. Never ever let a math geek loose in a casino ).

Jason:

Where have you been getting your Chassepot and Dreyse guns? Your scrounging these out of the ICM kits or do you have another source?

Thanks

Wayne

Wayne,

They are from the ICM kits.

You know, I'm surprised that nobody is building these kits, atleast to be seen (magazines, figure sites etc.) by the public.

Have you built any? I'm curious as to what they look like built.

I must have 3 kits each! I tell myself someday I'll build one, but working on originals takes up alot of that time.