English Civil War Drummer (1 Viewer)

[blaster]

Hi all,

I had started this piece a few years back, forgot about it and then picked it up recently and started doodling. What I am trying to represent is an overweight figure carrying a large drum. I had first worked out the pose, a running pose, then decided that it was too strenuous for my figure with his load. The pose was changed to an ambling gait and I am now bulking out the figure and adding details. It looks promising and I hope I can finish this....

Photo essay follows.

Rgds Victor


Initial running pose. Bits and pieces from Airfix and Historex. The drum is ex-Historex bass drum. I sculpted the face.


Walking pose. Note that the lower legs have been shortened. The figure is being bulked out.


A hat brim was made from putty. It's history now as I broke it while sanding it down. I'll have to replace it.


The ears and collar were sculpted. the left sleeve is being sculpted.


The back was built up. Some flowing hair is being added.

 

[blaster]

I first test-fitted the Airfix Musketeer hat which was too small. Then I removed the hat crown and added a brim from putty, then replaced the crown on top. Before the brim had fully hardened, I trimmed it with a pair of short scissors. I also filed down the collar and so far, the overall dimensions look promising.

 

[blaster]

I added the hands. Then added the copper sheets for the tunic skirts and false sleeves. A feather was added to the hat. The figure is sprayed with matt white to highlight the areas that need more attention. The drum is to be fully painted and then rigged with thin rope. Still pretty raw at this stage.

 

[blaster]

I painted the drum separately. I cleaned up the figure a little and then painted it in basic colours to highlight further defects. The figure is coming along slowly.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

Drum being painted slowly with oils.

 

[blaster]

I spotted the figure lurking in the background, trying to avoid the need for more surgery. I decided to change the pose, repositioning the left foot to create a more dynamic gait.

 

[blaster]

Added socks and finalised the trouser folds. Drilled a hole in the left hand for a drumstick.

 

[blaster]

I came across this forlorn figure and the drum. Decided that the pose was not right and removed all the limbs by quartering him (cruel but that's how they did it then) and then redrilled and pinned the parts. Still deciding on the new pose. Will take pics later.

 

[blaster]

This was the figure. I think that he is top heavy and I'll probably bulk out the lower part.