Murat (1 Viewer)

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I think that I should start a new thread on this piece, instead of allowing it to be buried under the Horses thread. I really enjoy full-blown conversions, scouring parts from various sources and makes, almost like an artist working in mixed media...

The horse pose has been modified satisfactorily to fit the saddle. The figure itself was scoured from a cheap Russian figure. I like the dolman details which is superior to a Historex torso, but the face is a little distorted and the legs and arms are not very well cast. The pelisse and left arm was also discarded. I'll probably substitute these with historex parts.

I had tried to save the boots when I converted the standing figure into a mounted figure but the results are not satisfactory. Murat was very well-built if you believe the propaganda paintings. Hence I have tried to capture this in my resculpting of his legs. Then I had an Eureka moment. I can amputate his legs and substitute with Historex cavalry boots spares! These spares are not very well known outside of nerd circles. So this is where I am at now.

 

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I actually did a lot of fun modeling over the weekend. Will post pics later.

I decided not to add the boots yet as the spurs are very delicate. Concentrating on the upper torso, I snipped off the upper head and added a busby. Arm positions were created by wire inserts.

The uniform selected was the general of division of light cavalry, 1805, which was a green red affair. I used the Historex fact sheets and for the same uniform cut, Murat had two ensemble to wear as he pleased. the other was a white uniform with red pelisse at the battle of Ulm.

 

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The Historex drawing was coloured by me to indicate the overall costume. The figure has the busby and arms attached.

 

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Fingers were sculpted onto commercial arms which were carved to represent bare forearms. These were drilled and inserted onto the wire ends. Then cuffs were modeled around these.

 

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Arm sleeves were built up. Still WIP. Separately, I completed the lace edging on the saddle.

 

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I'm having a blast with this figure. Further sculpted the arms. I completed the some part of the dolman and the head gear minus plume. Then worked on the hair. the awful photos are because I took the pics in the early morning without lights.

 

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I decided that the headdress could be further improved. The Historex item looked too regular. I removed the braiding and tassels and carved the busby. Then reworked the fur with a pyrogravure. This was covered with liquid cement and re-engraved again.

The hands were further bulked out. The back and sides of the torso were built up accordingly. The inner thighs were also bulked out.

I also worked more on the horse mane.

 

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Here's some WIP on the figure. The horse mane is completed and the part hidden by the shabraque can be seen from the front. A horse tail was added.
The cords were pleated from steel wire and the busby bag was sculpted over the cords.

 

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I added the straps to the horse, including a crupper.

 

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I completed the headdress with plume. A nose was resculpted for Murat, including his hair.

I had intended to substitute the Historex pelisse for this piece but discovered that the Historex item was smaller than expected. Thus, I decided to salvage the original cast item and improve upon it. As it came with an integral arm cast with the pelisse, I removed the left hand. The pelisse will be added later after the dolman has been painted.

I added details here an there on the figure. The legs have been balanced and the boots were added, the tops having had to be resculpted for alignment. A belt for the sword and sabretache was made from metal strips.

The saddle was further detailed with a panther head and tail. I have a good feeling about this piece and think that it will be completed soon.

 

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Added the stirrups and straps and now laying in the basic colours. The conversion seems quite clean. It should be fun to paint and finish off this piece.

 

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I've started to paint in artist oils and gold paint. As mentioned, the pelisse and sabretache parts will be added later.

 

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I continue to paint the figure. The pelisse, sabretache and horse were also painted separately. Will be adding the details after this.

 

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I adjusted and then epoxied the pelisse and sabretache to the figure. The leather straps were also glued to the back of the sabretache.

The figure is also test-fitted on the horse.

 

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I didn't like the seat on the horse. Hence I removed the sabretache which was not securely attached anyway and lengthened and resculpted the legs. I drilled a hole in the left leg and inserted a piece of bent wire to brace the sabretache later. The saddle is being painted.

 

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I finally decided that the horse was too small for this Murat conversion. So I selected a bigger horse.

 

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Here’s Murat again. I’ve repaired the right leg.