Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Based "Comrades in Arms"


The French Guard Grenadier carrying the drummer boy are on the long retreat from Moscow with what is left of Napoleon's army.

Luckily for them the wind which was blowing earlier has stopped, but even so it is many degrees below freezing.

The drummer boy looks disoriented with the severity of the cold and had not the Grenadier picked him up and put him on his shoulders, the boy may well have succumbed to the weather.

Based (and cold) dragoon


Yesterday I was creating the base for the next model, which will be a dismounted hussar. Deciding on the form the final model base will take gave me some ideas for the bases of the "Comrades in Arms" as well as for the Dragoon in his white greatcoat.

The dragoon is on the long retreat from Moscow and the snow is deep on the ground. Despite being surrounded on both side by trees, the bitterly cold wind is blowing in his face.

His hands have been wrapped in strips of cloth as he has no gloves. The once white greatcoat is now filthy with mud, but his musket is still in clean and working condition.

Monday, August 28, 2006

Comrades in Arms - completed


The figures are now completed. I have stained and polished the round wooden base that they will be mounted on. Then there will be the last minute 'touch ups' to any minor flaws.

The next task is to complete the base of the dragoon (retreat from Moscow) as I am not 100% happy with it. Once that base has been altered to my satisfaction I will then add the 'snow' to both the dragoon and the comrades. As the dragoon is fairly light in colour without so much detail I suspect that it will have more snow than the two comrades..........But wait and see, I will decide on the day.


I am really happy at the quality of the comrades in arms.
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Sunday, August 20, 2006


The face and head of the drummer boy have been completed, as have the face and hat of the Old Guard Grenadier

I have given the drummer boy the jacket from an artilleryman instead of one from a musician. Possibly his was damaged in battle, or maybe this jacket is warmer. His hands are wrapped in strips of cloth to keep out the bitter cold.

The greatcoat of the Old Guard has not yet been completed. As you can see I have painted in the shadows on and along the folds of cloth, but I still have to tidy up around the white cross belt and finish off that grey area before fitting his arms as well as the legs of the boy.
I have to admit that I am very happy at how this is turning out.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Comrades in Arms - The Drum


The drum which will be on the back of the drummer boy has now been completed. The bright brass and dark blue colours have been given a wash of dirty grey to 'age' and 'dirty' the drum. After all, it would not have been in pristine condition having been into battle.

In order to hold the drum while painting it I have glued a cocktail stick to the underneath - this also gives you an idea of the small size!