Zulus (1 Viewer)

[blaster]

Inspired by recent readings of a lot of Zulu literature, I went and purchased a job lot of Zulu shields from Dorset soldiers. Then I glued some arms to these shields. I then added some torsos pinned to the arms. The shields are surprisingly heavy and I think that pinning the arms is a good idea. Note that these shields are small, typical of post-Shaka Zulu times.

 

[blaster]

After watching the Shaka Zulu mini tv series, and reading more into Zulu lore, I realised that these smaller shields were mainly used for dancing.

I read that King Dingane kaSenzangakhona was a very graceful dancer, despite his enormous girth. So I decided to model him.

I just built up the head and used larger scale feet 1/24 to represent a heftier man. Only the lower legs were used and wire was inserted to animate the feet. The body was also bulked up and I'll adjust the parts accordingly.

 

[blaster]

1/24 scale parts were cut down and attached to the body with wires. The limbs were all adjusted and more putty was used to sculpt the body. I haven't yet decided on the orientation of the shield at this stage. I could easily rotate the left arm. I want to build up more of the head and body accessories before making the final decision.

 

[blaster]

I checked my Osprey book on the Zulus. It was King Mpande who was obese and was a graceful dancer. There is a very nice illustration of him in that book and my figure was obviously inspired by that pose. What I did was to change the orientation of the hands, I also bulked out the figure even more. Pics to come.

 

[blaster]

I really bulked out the figure to create an impression of an obese king. The shield was turned out.

The arm band rings were created from soft solder wire, hammered flat. Six rings were made for each lower arm. The ear flaps were made from sheet metal and an animal fur headband was created.

The figure was spray painted white to reveal imperfections.

 

[blaster]

More putty was added to the back. A dancing stick was created from brass wire which was expoxied to the right hand. The figure will now be sanded down to remove the imperfections.

 

[johnnybach]

More putty was added to the back. A dancing stick was created from brass wire which was expoxied to the right hand. The figure will now be sanded down to remove the imperfections.

View attachment 201330View attachment 201331

Coming along nicely Vic. Thinking back to your Yeomanry Drum Horse rider/drummer - you would appear to have a penchant for the XXL figures??

Keep up the good work - and keep counting the calories! jb:salute::

 

[blaster]

Hello JB,

Yes, I like to explore alternatives to mainstream themes in this hobby. I actually like to sculpt substantial figures because they seem to have more presence. For now, I stick to fat men instead of fat women because of perceived Victorian norms on this forum...

I have largely based my piece on this wonderful painting by Angus McBride. However, I have actually based the girth of this piece on one of the actors in the Shaka Zulu tv series who was definitely heavy. A description of Mpande was that he was obese. I have further thickened the arms in the latest photo. Anyway, most of the lard will be covered by the costume later.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

Added even more putty to the midriff. That's it I think. Will sand down the figure next.

 

[blaster]

The mouth and chin were resculpted. The breasts were enlarged and I have also started to add some cowtails.

 

[blaster]

More cowtails added. a whole string of monkey and cowtails was worn around the hips, and also the breasts. The piece was also sanded further revealing more imperfections.

 

[blaster]

Further work in progress. Leg cowtails and the isocoso head ring were sculpted.

 

[blaster]

All of the monkey cow tails were completed. Neck cowtails were added. Pudgy fingers and a thumb were sculpted for the right hand. The dancing club was pressed into the palm.

 

[blaster]

The armband cowtails were finalized. Some putty was added to the shield to represent hide. Following a bit of correction here and there, I then painted the figure in some base colours.

Looking good, huh?

 

[Norman508a]

I wish i had the patience you do, looks great.:salute::

Matt

 

[johnnybach]

Hello JB,

Yes, I like to explore alternatives to mainstream themes in this hobby. I actually like to sculpt substantial figures because they seem to have more presence. For now, I stick to fat men instead of fat women because of perceived Victorian norms on this forum...

I have largely based my piece on this wonderful painting by Angus McBride. However, I have actually based the girth of this piece on one of the actors in the Shaka Zulu tv series who was definitely heavy. A description of Mpande was that he was obese. I have further thickened the arms in the latest photo. Anyway, most of the lard will be covered by the costume later.

Rgds Victor

View attachment 201511View attachment 201512

Aha! I Geddit.

I would have thought that a female to accompany our latest large Gent - would not be too frowned upon??? Perhaps with a modestly placed cowtail or two, such a female figure might go undetected??^&confuse

He's coming along well though - even if he is destined to dance alone!

Best - jb

 

[blaster]

Hello Matt and JB,

Thanks for your comments.

I actually lack patience. I tend to rush a piece along at breakneck speed and then having to backtrack and clean up the figure afterwards. Anyway, sometimes, the excitement of creating a unique piece gets me to throw caution to the wind.

And thanks for the yes vote to depict fat exposed ladies, JB. I'll create a separate SM fantasy figure thread on this one...

I've added more armband cowtails and started to paint the figure in oils. Just realized that he's not wearing underpants. Will have to create a strategically placed piece of groundwork for this guy...

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

Painted the figure and base.

 

[blaster]

While I was doing this figure, someone asked me to do a Shaka Zulu piece for him as well. Shaka would be a tall and imposing figure with a muscular physique. So I used a mixture of 1/32 and 1/24 parts to create the dummy.

 

[blaster]

I added shadows to the Mpande figure.