Josephine B Le Cimier (1 Viewer)

[blaster]

I had painted this piece about 30 years back. It is not a satisfactory figure for me.
There are two obvious errors with this figure - the mantle is painted the wrong colour according to the kit instructions. However, upon further research, it should be red. Secondly, the mantle is a longer item.
I also found a spare Empire style base and have decided to use it to rebase this figure.

Hence I took this photo for reminiscence and have soaked it in dettol to redo this piece.

 

[blaster]

Here is Jo all cleaned up. There are a couple of misleading pics on the web which shows a blue mantle. This was a Bourbon colour and Napoleon and Isabey the designer made it a point to use red to create a new Empire.

 

[blaster]

The figure has a doll head appearance caused by an overly thin neck and oversized head. A Barbie doll look. I'll try to do something about it later.

Meanwhile, I sanded off the edges of the short mantle. I then created a large rolled out blob of putty inside a plastic bag, allowed it to semi-harden, and cut it to shape.

 

[blaster]

Then I draped the mantle on the figure.

Not very successfully as part of the rolled out mantle was too thick and the timing for hardening was too late. Hence I could not fully drape the mantle,

 

[blaster]

second try.

 

[Napoleon1er]

I can't wait to see how this progresses! I must say, those high-fashion Empire dresses were really something.

As to the mantle, might I offer a suggestion given that the clay seems to be posing problems? I have had some success with using study cloth or paper, soaking it in a solution of white glue and water, then shaping is as it dries. You could then use putty to make the connection to the figure smooth.

 

[blaster]

Hi Sandor,

I also find women courtly costumes to be very attractive and elegant. Thanks for your post and the suggestion to try alternative materials. I generally use putty, polystyrene or sheet metal in my sculpting as these are more durable material. Sometimes, I use feathers and soft plastic but these are usually for my more exotic figures.I had used paper in the past and discovered about 20 years later that they are very brittle. The same also applies to plastic glue from a tube. It goes off after several years and becomes brittle.

Actually the second attempt was reasonably successful. So I will be repairing the mantle and proceeding from there.

I did something drastic with her head. I filed down the sides and back to achieve a more suitable look. Now building up the ears.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

This is the stage I am at with this piece. I removed the arms and filed off the remaining bits of the mantle. I've started to rebuild her head and tiara. The mantle is now being reshaped to conform to the figure.

 

[Mirof]

I guess she is not Joséphine Baker

 

[blaster]

Hi Mirof,

J Baker was big in Europe. Maybe I'll do a figure of her if I finish my Frida figure.....

Here's the Empress herself in the petit habit. I've remodelled her head and the mantle is still being worked upon.

 

[Mirof]

Josephine Baker was not only an entertainer but was active in the french resistance
be curious and have a look
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Baker

 

[blaster]

Yes, she was an amazing character. My favourite is of course the voluptuous Hedy Lamarr, who was also doing top scientific research for the war effort.

Here is the figure with the head turned.

 

[blaster]

I repositioned the head and resculpted the neck. Looks OK now and I've started to paint it.

 

[blaster]

I painted the face and the dress. I used iridiscent white and shaded that to achieve a satin look.

 

[blaster]

Shaded the embroidery on the dress.

 

[blaster]

I attach Jo to the base and am now fitting and shaping the mantle onto the figure.

 

[blaster]

This is not an easy process. The mantle broke a few times while being manipulated due to the tight fit around the dress. I created pin inserts for the hands to be attached.

 

[blaster]

More folds were sculpted on the mantle and the arms were fitted.

 

[blaster]

I decided to explore substituting more accurate sleeve lacy details. A simple zigzag pattern was cut from thick lead sheet.

 

[Obee]

Victor,

I seem to have missed this thread, but I thought you'd like to know that recently I have obtained a couple of figures of this famous lady, both from the French maker MHSP.

One is kneeling at the Coronation of Napoleon in 1805,



and the other is a standing pose.



I'll post images of the completed figures later this year,

John