Louis XIV Drummer converted from a Tradition figure (1 Viewer)

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Hi All,

I have been working on this figure for a few weeks now, in-between other projects as usual. It has reached a stage where I think that I can finish it in a reasonable time. So enjoy the photo essays.

Rgds Victor


Original Tradition figure with Airfix head and hat converted from paper and putty. The figure is not very interesting and details are crude. Hence I decided to completely redo this piece.


Figure stripped of paint and old putty. The buttons are recessed. Green putty was used to create the cuffs. This has to be removed completely.


Side view showing that the figure appears to be flattened.


Back view of the figure.


Putty added to create bulk.

 

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At this stage, a decision was made to substitute a Historex drum for the original drum, which was too small.


All the details were filed off and I decided to change the pose completely. Hence all the limbs were removed and the legs were repositioned.


A badly formed head originally from an obscure German maker (Globe) was pinned to the figure. The coat was filed smooth and any defects were puttied over.


Another view of the figure. The head was resculpted.

 

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This was the reference that I used for this conversion. Osprey MAA Louis XIV Army.


A Historex tricorne hat was added. The face was sculpted. Hair and ears were also sculpted. Details on the coat were sculpted. The cross and collar details can be seen.


The figure with hat added. The edges of the coat skirts were filed back and strips of sheet metal were added to create overhangs to the coat skirts.


Another view of the figure.

 

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The side pockets were added. A groove was created for the belt. the figure was painted with an undercoat of yellow and blue. this highlights and defects for rectification later.


Wires were inserted for the arms. Buttons were created for the coat. the cross was detailed to look like a Lorraine cross. The drum sling and belt was made from sheet metal. A pin was inserted into the body and this was used to pin and hold the drum against the body. The drum was made removable for later painting.


Putty was added to form the arms.


More putty added to the arms. The drum was cleaned with a toothbrush and some Jif powder. A basic undercoating was done for the face.


Another view of the figure.

 

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A start was made to sculpt the cuffs. It is important that the drum be in place to sculpt the left cuff.


Another view of the figure. The belt has an attachment for a sword to be added later.


Hands from Historex were attached by tiny holes and fine wire to the arms.


The figure was given another light coat of yellow and blue paint. Final shaping and buttons will still have to be added.


Another view of the figure so far. Some residual putty and blemishes can be scraped or lightly sanded away.

 

[theBaron]

Great project, Vic! It's a great choice of subject, too. The French uniforms were so colorful and varied.

The Stadden custom figures of French drummers from the Seven Years War have engraved detail for the lace, as much as could be done in 54mm. They paint up well.

I'm looking forward to your next installment on this one!

Prost!
Brad

 

[blaster]

Hello Brad,

glad you are enjoying this too. I am slowly discovering the joys of Louis XIV and XV era uniforms, having acquired old copies of Funcken's Lace books as a starter.

Rgds Victor

 

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I scrapped off the blemishes, sculpted more details including the buttons and then painted over with oils. I had to wait several days for the paint to dry before adding the lacings and some shading. The drum was removed and will be painted separately.

Rgds Victor

 

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lacing is positioned and underlined

 

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I have started to paint the blue on the lacing as well as to cover the cuffs and stockings. These drummers and musicians take up a lot of painting time.

Rgds Victor

 

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I spent a couple of hours last night painting the face and outlining the lace and guess what? Some of the lace is slightly off! Why me? Why did they shift the goal posts?

I also noticed that one of the side pockets will have to be shifted to align nicely against the lace.

I didn't have my trusty camera last night so no pics yet but the next few pics should show the necessary corrections.:redface2:

Rgds Vic

 

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Photo essay


These two pics show the outlines that I have done for the lace. It also shows where the lace needs to be redone. Both cuffs need some resculpting to finalise details.
The left pocket needs to be relocated. I also have to adjust the material under the left arm to accomodate the drum and the harness.


The left pocket was relocated. Both cuffs were resculpted. part of the hair was resculpted. A wire pin was added to the drum harness.


copper wire was wound round a wire and a circular ring was fashioned. A thin lead sheet was used to attach this ring to the drum.

 

[Napoleon1er]

Again, some really great work here. Your threads have to be some of the most pleasurable to read on this forum- I really enjoy seeing your figures unfold.
-Sandor :salute::

 

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Hello Sandor,

Glad you are enjoying this. As is pretty obvious by now, I start off with a concept, get on with it and then, along the way, start to tinker and improvise. Not sure this is the ideal way to sculpt figures....

Anyway, I cleaned up all those lacey lines. More photos below and to follow. Rgds Victor


Lines are cleaned up. The left pocket has been resculpted in a new position


Blue squares added to the lace. Final buttons are created on the pocket and cuffs. Left drumstick broke off so will be reattached later when all finicky work has been completed.

 

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This shows that more hair was sculpted to the back of the head

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Painting has been further refined

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Another view of the figure

 

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Here are the three pics.

 

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These show the final refinement of the painted figure. And then, I discovered and decided that the original shoe buckles needed to be resculpted....::redface2:

 

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Also, the shoes needed to be lengthened. Having fun here, I think....

 

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I painted the face further. I trimmed the tongues on the shoes, thus you can see where I've scrapped off the metal on the shins. Still reshaping the shoes.
Also I've hung the drum on the hook to test-fit it against the figure. The drum will be painted separately. Looks nice, eh?

Rgds Victor