Gericault's Charging Chasseur au cheval (1 Viewer)

[blaster]

This iconic figure has been done many times. I thought of doing yet another version, this time, using bits and pieces from discarded projects.
Although there There are expensive commercial versions available but the fun for me is in crafting my own figure.
So I've gathered these old historex bits except for the new head and hussar torso and am doing my version of this piece. Not much happening yet.

 

[Obee]

Victor,

I'll be looking forward to seeing your craftsmanship in bringing these bits and pieces into life and recreating this famous painting.

I saw the original painting in the Louvre about 10 years ago,and took this picture for my uniform resources ...



Only 2 weeks ago I finally assembled and painted a masterclass kit that had been gathering dust for many years in my 'stash of lead' for about 5 years, and this is my efforts:



I decided not to paint the horse as a dappled grey, they were used for buglers, but chose a chestnut instead.

Hope you like him?

John

 

[blaster]

Hi John,

Craftsmanship? I continue to tinker in my efforts...

Ah yes. that masterclass figure. An excellent piece. I was looking at an old thread on Planetfigure where they were discussing the merits of this figure versus the Andrea 90mmfigure, and Ray Lamb's masterpiece and then Ivo Preda's MetalModeles conversion. So why am I reinventing the wheel?

Looking at the painting, I note that the figure and horse pose is really slanted to give only one singular view. Both figure and horse heads are turned in the same direction. An all round view would highlight 3D anatomical distortions to achieve this pose.

So I've decided to sculpt my piece to be seen from one viewpoint only and in a framed shadow box. I've pinned the pieces together to capture this pose.

Here's the update. I've substituted an old Airfix 10th hussar head and so far, only the torso was previously unused. All other parts were cannibalised from failed projects.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

I've added musculature to the horse as per the painting. I removed the horse head and opened up the mouth.

 

[blaster]

Sculpting the horse head. more horse musculature and a shabraque added.
I added new hands to the pin inserts. Sculpted the chasseur busby. Hence, there is no point in using pristine Historex spares as I am using them as armature parts.

 

[blaster]

I did a lot of work to this piece. Here's the update. I used the Historex pantherskin shabraque as a reference. I added a left leg to the figure, probably visible if one peered around the edges. Added bollocks to the horse (visible!). The horse head was further sculpted. More musculature was added to the horse as per the painting. The tail was a piece of wire covered with putty. The busby was fuller than the Historex part. Hence, it is obvious that this piece will have anatomical distortions to fit the painter's view.

 

[Obee]

I did a lot of work to this piece. Here's the update. I used the Historex pantherskin shabraque as a reference. I added a left leg to the figure, probably visible if one peered around the edges. Added bollocks to the horse (visible!). The horse head was further sculpted. More musculature was added to the horse as per the painting. The tail was a piece of wire covered with putty. The busby was fuller than the Historex part. Hence, it is obvious that this piece will have anatomical distortions to fit the painter's view.

Nice work Victor, I love how you are sculpting this piece and I can see that it's matching the horse and rider in the painting.

Keep on going .....

John

 

[Louis Badolato]

Amazing Victor!:salute:: From scraps to a fine figure that looks remarkably like the painting!

 

[blaster]

Hi John and Louis,

Thanks for your nice comments. I'm trying to champion sustainability in my projects...HAHAHA.

Here's more WIP. Sculpting the lacing edge on the shabraque. Making the tail fuller. Adding a plume to the busby and shaping the leg and boot.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

Here's more WIP. The 2nd photo shows the bollocks which are visible in the painting....hahaha.

The plume is being sculpted. not obvious but the flowing pelisse is being shaped. The tail is being made fuller. I mark out the areas with a marker to work on them next.

 

[blaster]

I completed the plume and added the cords. The horse tail is fully sculpted. I enlarged the panther head as per the painting. The thigh and arm was subtly reshaped as per the painting.

 

[blaster]

Added many details. The giberne was added. The cords and aiguilettes were extremely fiddly. Most of the figure is done. The tail and mane are done. I painted the figure with enamels.
The horse shabraque needs more work. The panther head has been enlarged and the edge lacing needs to be improved.

 

[blaster]

I corrected the seat on the figure and built up the shabraque. Remodelling some parts of it.

 

[blaster]

I corrected the seat on the figure and built up the shabraque. Remodelling some parts of it.<br>
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<img src="https://forum.treefrogtreasures.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=265252&stc=1" attachmentid="265252" alt="" id="vbattach_265252" class="previewthumb">

 

[blaster]

Added horse shoes. Now doing up the lacing around the shabraque.
Redid the pelisse. Added final details and cords to the figure.. I think the figure can be painted now.

 

[blaster]

I've started to paint the figure. Oils are still slick.

 

[blaster]

also applied the same yellow to this figure.

 

[blaster]

I spent a pleasant time adding the head stalls. Then I gave the horse a light grey overspray.

 

[blaster]

After examining the piece against the painting, I readusted the following:-

Built up the rump especially on the right butt.
Redid the shabraque and the lacing.
Readjusted the tail.
Redid the cheetah head.
Redid the position of the chasseur head.

 

[blaster]

More WIP.

This time, I redid the front portion of the shabraque.

And more importantly, I extended the horse's left leg with wire.