Eugene Beauharnais (1 Viewer)

[blaster]

Hi All,

I told myself that I wouldn't start a new thread until I had resolved most of the earlier ones. Well, I've resolved some of them and think that I can eventually resolve the rest. Anyway, I couldn't resist excitement of sharing the start of this piece with you lot. It also partly explains why I have been busy beavering away at other "projects".

Anyway, I had always wanted to do a mounted figure of EB as there is a painting of him sitting on a double shabraque arrangement, a pantherskin over another saddle. Using a Historex kit, I had started this conversion many years ago and had then abandoned it. I had created the double shabraque by sticking on some cut-up saddle pieces underneath the pantherskin. The hussar was the usual Historex stiff figure. The horse was a conversion with the legs kicking away. It all looked wrong then and I forgot all about it.

More recently, I was culling the stash, scavenging for older figures to redo and came across this again. I found most of the accessories as well, still unused. As I have acquired some new found sculptural skills since then and boundless energy (swallowing pep pills help), I've decided to redo this piece.

enjoy the photo essay on my progress.

Rgds Victor


The back legs were cut off and repositioned. One of the rear hooves broke off. The pantherskin had been "dimpled" with a hot knife back then. I like this new pose, suggesting a frisky horse.

 

[blaster]

The next step was to fit EB to the saddle. I did several things with the figure.
Firstly, I substituted my own sculpted metal cast hussar torso for the Historex torso, which seemed to lack definition. Secondly, I cut down on the waist section, causing the figure to lean forward and to the side. Thirdly, I bulked up the legs, boots and buttocks. All my references indicate that EB was not a tall man and was fairly well-built (allowing for Napoleonic propaganda). Presumably, he must at least have been well-fed and was involved in a fairly active military career.

 

[blaster]

When I restored the missing horse rear hoof, the whole piece tilted forward and it appeared as if the figure was sitting upright in the saddle. It was boring. I decided then to reposition the figure correctly, trying to capture some movement in the piece. The top part of the horse was completely hollowed out to accommodate the saddle. The saddle was internally strengthened to prevent it from breaking apart when fitted onto the horse. Musculature was reworked and the mane, originally made from Duro, was resculpted in A&B putty.

 

[blaster]

The whole figure was repositioned to really lean forward and to the side. More putty was added to the underside and inner legs, moistened and gently pressed onto the saddle. This gave a true fit and seat for the mounted figure. I have also cut away all the strange shark tooth trimmings on the pantherskin. My references suggest folded cloth loops as lacing and I am resculpting this feature.

Wire was used for the arms. I animated extensively and added suitable hands to the ends. The whole figure now appears to have some lively movement, a mounted figure on a frisky horse.

 

[blaster]

Some progress on the figure. Almost completed the cloth edging. The neck collar is completed and the arms have been covered with putty.

 

[blaster]

Found the horse for this. As I have the Metal Modeles figure, I've decided to convert that figure to be mounted on this horse.

I decided to redo the pose on the horse.

 

[blaster]

The casting has been cut up!

 

[blaster]

I sculpted the legs and have posed him on the horse.

 

[blaster]

Took out this piece and decided to pose it on a specific painting. Hence the horse was modified to conform to this painting.

 

[blaster]

Horse is shaping up.

 

[blaster]

Reworking Eugene's legs. I repositioned his head and will add new arms.

 

[blaster]

The seat was lowered with the leg shortened and built up.

 

[Obee]

I've got him in my collection, by Del Prado,



BUT yours will look much better

But, this foot figure of him by Hachette is a good one.



John

 

[Grognard]

I have Le Cimier version in my collection. Looking forward to seeing the next steps Victor!

 

[blaster]

Hi John and Grognard,

Thanks for your comments. There was a wave of Nap euphoria in 54mm a few years back, probably brought on by a Pier Sergio Allevi exhibition on sculpting very beautiful Napoleonic personalities in limited quantities.
https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/new-54mm-figures-from-italy-by-p-allevi.173358/

Then another Nap talent Ivo Preda brought out his version of Eugene B.
https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/new-54mm-figures-from-italy-by-p-allevi.173358/

Hence I was inspired then and scoured around for my discarded Eugene. This was the standing Le Cimier which I had bought on impulse in that French shop. It had all the details but I've always wanted a mtd Eugene figure. Hence I am converting him as per that Hafer painting.
I hope to have the stamina to finish this. hahaha.


Rgds

Victor

 

[blaster]

I altered the pose of the head slightly and have added the arms to Eugene.

 

[blaster]

I've done quite a bit with the sculpting on this figure. Horse foreleg raised further, mane fully sculpted. The scalloped edging on the shabraque done. Now going to add the horse reins and bits, some details to Eugene and it should be ready for painting.

 

[MLH13]

Excellent work!

Mark

 

[blaster]

Hi Mark,

thanks for those excellent words....;}

I turned the horse head further and the pose is more or less done. I've added minor details to the piece and slapped some paint on it.
Will continue to detail further.

Rgds Victor

 

[Louis Badolato]

Victor,

he is really coming together! . Fantastic work as usual!