Gericault's Charging Chasseur au cheval (2 Viewers)

[blaster]

I selected an A5 photo frame and knocked up a shadow box to fit within the frame. Then I created a simple background out of cardboard and white glue paste and stuffed it into the box.

 

[blaster]

I continued to build up the bkgd.

 

[blaster]

The figure was further cleaned up and then the broken cords were replaced. The horse was similiarly treated. Minor corrections were made with sanding and putty corrections.

 

[blaster]

I painted the shabraque and parts of the figure in artist oils, adding some shadows and highlights. The figure will be placed inside a shadowbox but without lights as this is a small and shallow shadowbox.
The figure has been pinned to a cork and the first pic taken shows the proposed angle at which the figure should be viewed. This foreshortening hopefully clarifies why I overextended the horse's rear left hind leg.

 

[blaster]

More WIP on the background. I added epoxy putty to the groundwork to provide a solid base to pin the figure.

 

[blaster]

I pinned the figure to the background and then framed it to check for placement.Figure looks well-centred and I will build up the groundwork before painting the scene. Looks like I don't need any LED lights for this shadowbox. At this stage, I am quite pleased with the progress and can see light at the end of this funnel...

 

[blaster]

I further built up the foreground, embedding a cut off gun barrel, wheel and a bit of curved metal strip as per the painting. I think that the background is suitable for painting now.

 

[blaster]

Moving on at a fast pace here. I painted the bkgd.

 

[blaster]

I completed the horse head harness with all the straps and finished sculpting the rest of the body.
The figure was also completed. Both should be ready for painting now.

 

[blaster]

I repainted both the figure and horse. Can't pick up the figure to photograph him as I don't have a handhold.

The horse has been repainted as the green oil colour from the lacing was getting all over the place. I'll be mixing that color with another colour to speed up the drying process.

At this stage I am quite pleased overall with the horse except for the shape of the shabraque. However, I'll have to wait a few days for the oils to dry before I reshape the shabraque.

 

[blaster]

Correcting some defects in the bkgd with putty, I repainted it again with some details of the cannon in the bkgd.

 

[blaster]

Here is the start of redoing the shabraque.

 

[blaster]

I painted a small mounted chasseur on thin copper sheet. This was cut out in relief and pasted to the background. Added another bent lead strip also as per the painting. These were blended into the bkgd painting.

 

[blaster]

WIP on resculpting the shabraque.

 

[blaster]

And I have painted the horse. Looks good to me at this stage. So far, the overall dimensions are in keeping with the painting.

 

[blaster]

I added more putty to the hidden side of the shabraque and the horse neck as I just want to make sure that these are in proportion when astute viewers try to peer inside the shadowbox.

I also altered the position of the right hand wrist. The figure is now perched on the horse for a final check on fitting. I'll add the sabre first and do a final painting before I fix the figure to the horse.

This is finally coming together and I can't wait to fit it into the shadowbox.

 

[blaster]

I added the sabre and did some minor touchups. Ready to do final painting on the figure.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Blaster,

I have been watching this project (along with your other projects) with great interest. You are extremely creative and talented, and I look forward to seeing the completed figure and shadowbox you have sculpted based on this painting. It looks tremendous so far!:salute::

 

[blaster]

Hi Louis,

thank you for your kind words.

For every completed figure, there is a huge backlog of parts and debris still unused. I'm just doing my best to salvage all the bits lying around in my collection.

Just remembered to add the sabretache and scabbard. These have to be scavenged from pristine parts. Although the painting only shows a bit of both these accessories, these are absolutely essential to the chasseur uniform. Added a tiny drilled spur to the boot. I've started to finalise the painting for this figure.

Rgds Victor

 

[Louis Badolato]

Victor,

I have shown the painting and the bits and pieces you started with to my son, and then the nerly finished figure, and he was absolutely amazed!:salute:: Great work!