This is my first mounted figure. Head from hornet the rest is Magic sculpt and plastic card. The horse itself is from Historex, I must say these plastic horses are really great and very nice to work with, considering how cheap they are. (Gotta love the soft, smooth plastic in them)

Painting is done with acrylics only, I was struggling with the decision to use oils but since I haven't touched my oils in years I finally decided to give the acrylics a try. Maybe it lacks some of the depth the use of oils give but since it is a fairly dark horse I think I can live with that. Still lot to do and I certainly want some feedback on it.


Best regards Lars

Well, it is rather early morning here in the American
Heartland. So perhaps I'm one of the first to see
these most impressive photographs that show how
you went about creating this most interesting
equestrian figure. I'm an old man now, who has
been into model building/figure modeling since
1965. I've watched so many advances in this incredible
hobby over the years. I only mention this because I feel
a strong "duty" to the beginners, the novice hobbiests
who frequent this site, to help them learn, and develop
their skills. And so to me, the text and photos you have
posted are just the kind of thing that helps beginners
understand just how you highly skilled artists accomplish
your final goals with each project. So I commend you, Sir
for posting such a clear and understandable thread, that
is so easy to follow. I have a group of Historex horses and
concur, regarding your favorable comments. Ha ha, but
I do not have your skill. What I really want to comment
on however, is that you've chosen a pose for the horse,
with the tail wrapped around the "hind quarter" and the
forward lean of the neck that is not what we usually see.
Perhaps the term "thinking outside the box" is a little
too much but I like the idea that you're presenting
something different regarding the pose and stance of
this equestrian figure. I feel certain this will be a most
satisfactory project for you. And I hope you'll have the
time to post more WIP (work in progress) photos and
text for us other Planeteers. Personally, I will follow with
much interest. The Miami Jayhawk

Well, I left out a point that, as I think about our novice
modelers here on this site, I feel that the scale of each
posted project should be mentioned at the start. Since
the horse is a Historex casting, and you mentioned
you substituted the head for a "Hornet" head, I'm figure
this scale is 54mm. But you understand, there are so so
many modelers who check out this site, that do not have
any information regarding the two "brands" above. Knowing
the scale helps so much for a viewer to realize what they
are actually looking at. With kind regards, Kansas Kid

Striking result - if possible another picture from the "backside" would be great. Thanks for posting this - it is a great inspiration for a lifelike cavalry figure.
Cheers, Martin

Great work at first! You give me inspiration to start sculpting in this way, with some "ready-to-run" parts. I think you should think add some oils in the horse in this stage, it will totally change the depth of the colour. Oils in horses is a must. Next I think horse's hair need extra work-detail(highlights, drybrushing etc), and saddle and cover on horse's back also need extra detail. I'm sure you'll work fine, because it's your creation!

Lars, as a recent returnee to the hobby please pardon my ignorance but what part does plastic card play in this impressive model? Is it just used for the horse tack (halters, bridles, etc.) or did you manage to mould it for the cape and, if so, how please?
Jeff

Thanks all.

Mr Kid: Thanks for your kind words, I'm so glad you like my work , and you're right about the scale it's 54 mm. I'm happy you noticed the pose of the horse. Starting this project I knew it would be most important to get the animal right. I want to depict a tired, frozen swedish soldier on his equal tired and frozen horse somewhere on the endless Russian steppe. I been around these lovely animals for most of my life and I guess I just knew how it would look from the back of my head. Then it is just a matter of transform this into a figure...
I think you're wright about a SBS and I try to put togheter something, but for the time being you have to settle with some pictures.

Martin: Thanks and more pictures for you.



Kiddo: Thanks I'm glad I can inspire you, one of my great inspirations is the very talanted master Jason Whitmans: http://jaywhitsminiatures.blogspot.se/ Check it out!
I'm still ambivalent about the oils. I'm afraid to mess it up if I smack some oils on it now, but still I'm afraid to miss some of the effect they might give. The Caparison, Saddle and most of the details is not finished yet but I get back and work on them asap.

Jeff: The scabbard is made of plastic card, but it is also used to shimm the horse since it is just a bit to skinny. The cape is from rolled out Magic sculp.

Regards Lars

Lars, you will not be surprised to know I love the subject. Great sculpting too, the pose of the horse is so natural and lifelike. Looking forward to seeing further progress.

Roger.

I've always liked your sculpts... both the sculpting and the subject matter. This one is no exception.I echo the others, I'm glad to see some pics of your progress, not just the finished product. I will be trying to absorb as much of the information as posibble so don't leave anything out
The horse looks very good... the proportions of the neck are never easy. a few millimetres one way or the other and you have either a girraffe or a bulldog

Will be following closely

Colin

Outstanding sculpt, on the figure and the horse.
But I'm no expert on sculpting, so I think I don't see shortcomings in sculpting.

marc

Thanks, Lars. I didn't realise that Magic Sculp rolled so thin. Must put some on my list of things to get!

Jeff

Hi Lars, and thank you for the other photo of the horse from
the "starboard" side. The way you have fashioned the neck of
the horse, and the turn to the "port" side, regarding that "pose"
is so much easier to see in this photo. Proportionally, in my view,
it looks bang on!
I marvel at your talent. And certainly I now
appreciate where you are going with this, since you fleshed
out the idea of the cold winter, et cetera. I'm seeing the creative
mental aspects of how you begin. . . Oh geee. . . talent
will be served. Whew. . . . The Miami Jayhawk

Impressive work! Looking forward to see it painted! Great subject!
Cheers,
Zeno

Hello Lars, I like the different pose of the horse, you don't see this type of movement on many mounted pieces. Also, like your choice of cavalryman, Swedish subjects from this timeframe are almost non-existent. Looks very interesting so far, and will look great in your winter scene. Best of luck, Regards, SG

I really like your work here! Excellent work on both horse and rider.

How did you do the manes?
I have to do some soon but have no experience with horses...
Thanks!

Adrian

Hi Lars!

I cant add much rather than echoing the comments already posted.

One thing though. Most of the horses available are displayed as well fed. It would be nice to see one making skinny horses, in some case where their ribs shows through. I know that isnt a pretty sight but for subjects like this it could bring more aura to the scene.

Anyway. Great job.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson

Thanks all! It's really encouraging to get feedback from you.

Janne you are so right about the horses. They were most certainly not all well fed and magnificent animals. Especially the Swedish army had rather small but sturdy horses. And at several occasions they were mocked for their small horses by more well equipped antagonists. But as one if my freinds said; you don't want it to look like he's riding a dachshund.
Still you're right Janne and next time I'm thinking of using a 1:35 horse with a 54 mm rider.

The mane is magic sculp and greenstuff, ( think it is kneadite in the us?). I simply mix them and cut out a rough piece about the size of the mane. It is fixed in place with a drop super glue. Using a toothpick, a small needle and my knife I shape the hair. I try not to be to exact an put to much detail in it. I try to go for a rastafari dreads look to it. The tail was done in a similar manner but I used a wire as a guide to sculpt around. I have a couple of pictures but I'm on my phone right know and no access to them.

Regards Lars



Sent by tapatac

Come to think of it, Mr Dennis Andersson had a rather interesting aproach to the horses tail as demonstrated here.



Cheers
Janne Nilsson

Very nice work indeed. I love the horse.
Gerald

Very impressive Lars!

Russ