Women's Battalion of Death Bust

[Guest]

Another Altores Studio bust and an unusual subject. The Women's Battalion of Death was formed in Russia in 1917 and was loyal to the Provisional Government. It's founder was Maria Botchkareva:



You certainly wouldn't want to mess with her! The battalion was seen as a useful propaganda tool and a means of shaming men into joining up, though it's doubtful that it ever saw any actual fighting:



The short hair was pretty radical for the time and they certainly look as though they mean business.

I've painted the head:



I always find painting female faces difficult, as they're obviously smoother and require a of of tonal blending. This one was nice to paint however, and the large eyes meant that I could go against my usual practice and have her looking straight ahead.

The rest of the figure includes the torso, cap and a blanket roll, which is optional:



And a big hooray for Altores for sculpting a believable and ordinary female figure - there are plenty of manufacturers out there who would have had the blouse open and plenty of cleavage showing.

[Neil Merryweather]

VERY nice

[Steve Jones]

Well this is different Peter. Looking forward to seeing how she turns out. Good luck

[Guest]

Thanks chaps. Bit of an unusual one .

[JR]

Can I have a seat please Peter.
Just been watching another film in the same style as the one you recommended. Based on the Battle of Kursk, brilliant extras from the Russian army.

[SteveH]

Morning Peter

What a lovely head, good to see you still have a gentler side after all the "rough" men you paint LOL

The blanket might just be too much and cover up the body?

It does look a little cumbersome?

Looks like a good day with the drapery ahead, have fun

It seems to be clearing again but is still cool for July

Another day in the home office, its taking some getting used to though

Lunch in the garden with the cats, is a new thing, better than walking through Leeds shopping precincts for sure.

Enjoy the day

Regards

Steve H

[Guest]

John - Take a seat and glad you're finding stuff to watch on YouTube. There's a movie about the Death Battalion around that looks good, though it has them fighting, which didn't happen.

Steve - Just a tweak to the left iris, then on to the cap. I agree that the bundle may be too much, so perhaps I'll have it detachable (Blu-Tack). My granddaughter has gone now, so at least I won't have the distraction of her painting at the table with me (mainly herself) - ''Ah Gwandad, bluepleaseyourewelcome.'' Brighter here, but weirdly chilly for July.

Hope the adjustment to home working doesn't take to long. Some people miss the office camaraderie and I can understand that.

[JayCee]

Great painting as always. She is certainly prettier than the real ones.

[Guest]

Thanks John. They're were certainly a 'robust' looking lot in reality.

[Guest]

I'm calling this one finished:



I decided against using the greatcoat roll as it would have covered some of the most interesting detail on the shirt, as well as the left shoulder-board.

[Neil Merryweather]

Lovely job, Peter :thumb2:

[Guest]

Thanks Neil.

I've since made some adjustments to the front of the tunic:

[Jim R]

Hi Peter
A great result of a very unusual subject. Until your first post I had not heard of The Women's Battalion of Death.
Jim

[Guest]

Thanks Jim. There aren't enough decent (both meanings of the word) female kits out there. I enjoyed this one.

[scottie3158]

Excellent as always.