French Napoleonic Guard Artillery - Flats (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

Hi All - Thought you might like to take a look at how my latest 30mm Flat project is developing. I'm at an early stage in developing each piece - so you may be able to see how each one is developing, from a cleaned up casting - towards fully finished.

Below see a pic of what will eventually be two teams of six horses, three riders per team - with two NCO's and an Officer of the Guard Artillery - all mounted. These came as castings from B&S Zinnfiguren in Leipzig, Germany. Here's a link:

http://www.zinnfigurenfreunde-leipzig.de/her/bs/7l.pdf

The set is numbered 7L, and comes with a Canon and an Ammunition cart - and as many horses as you require. I think that you can just order a four horse team - and interchange them with each of the two drawn pieces - but I ordered six horses for each drawn part ( three with drivers - and three without) - and the outriders as shown.

I was surprised to find that unusually for Flats, some assembly was required. As you can see, both cannon and ammo cart actually stand up without a base. This is because each of the four wheels is intended to be glued (or soldered) to each side of the drawn vehicle. I found that this was an unsatisfactory arrangement for me - as the superglued on wheels kept coming off with handling!

My solution was to therefore make and fit a mini-axle for the wheels. Tiny holes were drilled into gun/limber and Ammo cart attachment points ( small pads on each side) - and a 9mm "axle", made from a piece of cut wire inserted thruogh and glued into place. Each wheel was drilled to suit - and the wheels glued onto the axle on each side (epoxy resin glue used). I actually painted the vehicles first before assembly - as it was easier to paint this way.

I'm currently painting the horses part of my project. My method of painting builds up each piece - by painting each figure from top down ( easier to hold each tiny base) - usually the rider first - and then building up the shading on each rider/horse - to suggest a three dimensional figure. Some have started down this road - whist others are just "flatted" with a basic colouring.

Anyhoo - this is where I currently am with this very nice little set - hope you like 'em - and if you do - keep an eye out for progress reports - which will show how they are developing. jb

I hope to complete the painting on each piece over the next few weeks - and will eventually fit both sub-sets to a small base, which I will fabricate from my usual alloy off-cuts - which are currently in the UK!

I can see - I will have to plan ahead a bit more carefully for the future. jb

 

[Obee]

JB,

I'll be looking forward to seeing this project evolve because I love seeing a full team of horse bring the guns into action on the battlefield.

Good to see that you have the caissons as well, because a gun need its ammo

John

 

[nmrocks]

looks good Johnny, I've had the issue with the wheeled sets myself and never thought of drilling and pinning, I'll give it a go! On the difficulty of handling, I often see artists in while doing multiple figures actually white glue lightly the stands to a section of wood 1' to 1-1/2" square that seem to make handling a little easier, you could put 4 or 5 end to end.
Looking forward,
Ray

 

[johnnybach]

looks good Johnny, I've had the issue with the wheeled sets myself and never thought of drilling and pinning, I'll give it a go! On the difficulty of handling, I often see artists in while doing multiple figures actually white glue lightly the stands to a section of wood 1' to 1-1/2" square that seem to make handling a little easier, you could put 4 or 5 end to end.
Looking forward,
Ray

Hi Ray, - yes, drilling through and pinning is the way to go for these. It's a really solid joint now on both vehicles.

Again, I have thought about using a low-tack adhesive to mount things on temporarily - in order to paint them easier. However, to date - I haven't needed to do that yet. I s'pose I've just got used to handling them carefully - the way I do it. I'm also using enamel paint for mine - as I prefer glossy. So - if I work from head down - after (say) 3 days - the enamel paint on a head will be hard - and won't smudge - so can handle that lightly whilst painting lower bits and pieces. I'm also not under the same time pressures to complete - that professionals are - as my only customer - is me!

I also like to think of a mounted figure having three basic parts.

1. Horses head and front legs.
2. Central human figure and saddle/ chabraque parts
3. Rear end and legs of horse.

So........Paint the central human figure first from top down. You can hold the base - or either horse end.

Couple of days later - paint the horse rear, holding either the still unpainted base or horse head end, ( leave tail until the very last - useful to hold that any time). and leave for a couple of days.

Then - paint horse head and front legs - by this time the central figure and rear end will be dry enough to lightly handle - though I still prefer to use the stand wherever possible.

I usually paint the stand and horse tail at the very last ( including underneath the stand - which is often overlooked by the pro's. I don't paint it though, if I'm going to mount the lot on a base - as I'm going to do with this one - eventually. I want to mount each of the two pieces permanently - with the six horses towing the artillery piece and six with the ammo wagon. This will give the lovely effect of two dimensional pieces - in almost 3D. ( My metal for this is still in the UK - so that last bit will have to wait for my next visit!). I should finish painting them all though, before I go. (Depends on all of the odd jobs I have left to do here!!!!)

It's just a matter of giving each piece a bit of thought on how you are going to tackle it. I do it this way, without really thinking much about it now - as it's just become second nature to me. Okay, I sometimes do it all a bit differently - but as long as you leave each piece to dry between painting sessions - with Humbrol gloss enamels - it's a pretty easy and very forgiving medium.

There you go - an insight into how I go about things - hope it makes sense, and helps when you pick the brush up again one day Ray. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here's a couple of pics to update a bit more progress with the figures for this set. I now have some paint on all horses and riders - though some are more advanced than others - with regard to shading. Next step will be to concentrate on one set of six horses through to completing it. jb

 

[nmrocks]

Progressing nicely!!
Ray

 

[johnnybach]

Progressing nicely!!
Ray

Cheers Ray - managed another couple of hours on them yesterday - so yes - developing nicely now. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Managed to get a good session in on these, last evening, so continuing to develop the shading on many of them. Note that there are a few horse tails and bases to complete - as well as varnishing all pieces before completion. I have just placed them in approximate positions for now, as I will be fixing them on a single base (eventually) - and linking up the horses as well, to the two vehicles.

This is how they look, for now. Thanks to the Commandante for the loan of some bits of patchwork material for background. jb

 

[nmrocks]

Really looks good JB, really captures the action of the sculps, very impressive as a group but for me the long shot makes the details of your excellent painting a little difficult to see, show some closer shots, would love to check out the detail.
Nicely done!
Ray

 

[johnnybach]

Really looks good JB, really captures the action of the sculps, very impressive as a group but for me the long shot makes the details of your excellent painting a little difficult to see, show some closer shots, would love to check out the detail.
Nicely done!
Ray

Cheers Ray - glad you like them.

Just sneaked in another hour on them - so they're still a bit "wet paint" at the mo. They are coming along quite quickly now - and I'll photograph each individual later on - maybe when I've finished - so you can see each better. I'm especially pleased with my three "greys" at the moment - and of course the Artillery Officer - who is wearing the fur cap (colpack).

I have some connecting pieces - which came with the kit - which may be used to connect them up to each other - and the towed vehicle. However, I won't be using them just yet - as my intention is to mount each towed vehicle on a small base - and attach each team of six permanently on the base too. I can then use the connectors to attach everything in the correct place. All of my kit for doing that - is currently in the UK. ( Note that I only brought these out at the last minute - by finding a bit of space in my suitcase). I'll bring out some more bits I need next time - and complete mounting it all up then. I'll definitely finish the painting though.

jb

 

[johnnybach]

You asked for a few close up shots Ray. Here are the first three that I was satisfied with enough - to apply a final coat of varnish to. The rest all have minor bits and pieces to finish - and I'll be checking over each one individually - and doing any last modifications or additions to each one.

As more get completed - I'll photo - and post them here. jb

 

[Obee]

JB,

I do like seeing the figures finished with gloss, it really brings up the colours and shows off your shading,

well done,

John

 

[nmrocks]

You asked for a few close up shots Ray. Here are the first three that I was satisfied with enough - to apply a final coat of varnish to. The rest all have minor bits and pieces to finish - and I'll be checking over each one individually - and doing any last modifications or additions to each one.

As more get completed - I'll photo - and post them here. jb

Very well done JB! and actually those very figures and the greys were exactly what caught my eye!

 

[Guest_]

Managed to get a good session in on these, last evening, so continuing to develop the shading on many of them. Note that there are a few horse tails and bases to complete - as well as varnishing all pieces before completion. I have just placed them in approximate positions for now, as I will be fixing them on a single base (eventually) - and linking up the horses as well, to the two vehicles.

This is how they look, for now. Thanks to the Commandante for the loan of some bits of patchwork material for background. jb

They look great! Put on several parallel
lines they make a great effect!:salute::

 

[johnnybach]

Thanks John, Ray and Poppo. I like 'em in gloss as well John, - though most don't seem to paint them this way nowadays. Can't think why - it may not be "fashionable" - but I like 60's music too!! I guess I'm just not "cool"^&grin

I like the greys best too, Ray - though I'm still trying to find the best way to paint them. My first attempt made them look like they had measles!

Hi poppo - glad you like them. Not finished yet though - might take another day or three to finish them completely. I'll put them back up then. :salute:: jb

 

[johnnybach]

I have one of the teams completed now - so am showing them below.

Team first


Rear end


And this is a longer shot - showing the complete team - with outriding Officer and NCO's at the rear.

I may alter the composition of each team of six, once all are completed - but for now, I think that this looks okay. Once I decide - I will remove the front linking "chain" from the lead horse - which will be redundant at that point. There are only really two poses for each of the ridden horses - so two are bound to be the same casting in each team. Same for the unridden ones. I'll show the other sides to each team - once all are completed - but I think this gives a fair idea of how they will look. I'll use the linking pieces at that point - but this is just to show the painting of the pieces.

Just a few bases to complete - and a varnish to apply for the others now, so hope to complete painting this weekend.

If anyone wants any closer look at any individual piece - just shout - and I'll do my best to accomodate - remembering my photographic limitations!!:wink2: jb

 

[johnnybach]

Some of the unridden team are ready enough now to handle - so here's a pic of the other side. Very pleased with how the dark dapple grey turned out. I have another grey for the other team, which I'll show later. Not dry enough yet. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Incidentally - if anyone is interested in Artillery Draught Horses of the Napoleonic Era - there's a wonderfully informative piece online, written Paul Dawson. here's a link;

http://www.napoleon-series.org/military/organization/c_artilleryhorses.html

 

[nmrocks]

Great work JB!
I'd imagine the shadow and highlighting for the greys present a different style and challenge?
Ray

 

[johnnybach]

Great work JB!
I'd imagine the shadow and highlighting for the greys present a different style and challenge?
Ray

I'm just about finished with the painting of the rest of these Ray, so hope to do a couple more pics later on today.

I don't think there's too much difference in painting of Greys - though I've found that painting the main body first - and then the doing the dappling wet into wet, works best for me - especially at this size. Try painting white into grey - when the grey is dry - and you just get white spots ( a bit like measles!). Try painting the white into very wet grey - and the white just merges in completely - or worse, runs!!

BUT - get it just right, when the underpainted grey is half wet/dry - and the white isn't TOO runny - and the white merges in with the grey beneath, very slightly at the edges of each tiny spot - and that's what I'm aiming for. Then - I use a fine line (0.05mm size), black permanent indian ink pen - to work over each tiny area with a light hand. You probably can't see it - but it just softens and blurs the areas - and leaves tiny darker areas between the areas of white.

I used to do water-colours a few years ago - and learned from a great painter friend of mine (called Eric ) - the importance of shadow in painting. I progressed to tinted pen-and-ink drawing, which uses waterproof indian Ink pen for outline - and water-colour paint to tint the pictures. I think that this has helped me understand quite quickly, just how to approach painting these tiny figures.

Mine are a mixture of Humbrol Enamel paints ( instead of water-colours) - and shading and shadow. And of course, mine are Glossy - because that's what I like best. As they are basically flat in profile - I tend to treat them as I would a small piece of paper - and just try and bring out an impression of 3D, by imagining how light and shade "hits" them.

Then, of course, by looking at how the pro's do it - such as on your thread with the excellent pictures you show, and having a go at it yourself - you begin to understand more and more how it's done.

I hope that doesn't sound TOO affected - as I'm just an amateur dabbler - with no real training in "art" at all. I did learn a lot by watching and talking to my pal Eric - who was a professional artist - and the rest is just trial and error. Hopefully there's less error now - and I hope to keep improving with each project. I'm quietly rather pleased that others seem to like 'em too.

So cheers Ray, glad you're a "liker" too. jb