I’m not normally too fussed about how I paint horses as I’ve never been very good at them (I have the thin excuse that this is a retro project about recreating an army I had as a teenager when my painting left a lot to be desired). However I thought I should revisit my test figure (which is of course the point of doing a test figure) and dry brush the mane and tail with Foundry 53C. I think it was worth this little extra bit of effort.
A couple of you asked what green I used for the coat. It was nothing too exotic, just the unimaginatively named Foundry French Dragoon Green 70B. I’m going to plough on with the rest of the squadron however this may get interrupted by another unit of Silesian Landwehr which is entirely Goya's fault.
Ah, 'French Dragoon Green'! Makes perfect sense. If memory serves, the Humbrol 'British Rifle Green' was a tiny bit more subdued now that I think about it. In any case, a handsome figure.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Stokes
Thanks Stokes!
ReplyDeleteStryker, I may be well out of lane but I think I preferred the horse as you originally painted it, the darker mane and tail kept the focus on the figure. Anyway, not knowing what I was talking about, I Googled 'Empress Dragoons' and most depictions had them on chestnuts with mane and tail the same colour as the body. I think the restrained palette makes them look smart in a sober and restrained way. I also noticed few, if any, were shown with socks so perhaps an ankle sock or two and a small blaze would work well - it would echo the white belts and gauntlets on the figure nicely. Please don't take these thoughts the wrong way I admire your figures and your willingness to post them for all to see and it's a bit cheeky for someone who doesn't do so to offer suggestions.
ReplyDeleteCrikey, I was wondering why everyone was looking at my Old Chestnuts.
ReplyDeleteYou've done a cracking job there, Ian. I think I went with a Rousselot print in the end rather than MH as I thought the rolled red cloaks looked rather fetching. The black bayonet scabbard was....er, an oversight, I suspect!
WM
Rob - no problem. Because I block paint I don't like painting the mane and tail the same colour as the body of the horse as it becomes one big block of colour. I agree that most photos show chestnuts like this. I think the darker mane and tail as I originally had is more like a bay.
ReplyDeleteWM - the red coat does lift the figure so good choice. I'm hoping the finished squadron will fit in well with the Horse Grenadiers who are a bit understated.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a beautiful figure and your painting is first rate! Top stuff Ian
ReplyDeleteThanks James, it is a lovely sculpt!
ReplyDelete