Verlinden 200mm Demi Brigade Bust

[Guest]

My next project will be this 200mm bust from Verlinden of a member of Napoleon's Demi Brigade in Egypt 1798-1801. The Demi Brigades were formed from former revolutionary infantry units and given the designation so as not to use the old royalist term 'regiment'.



Our chap is wearing an unusual green uniform, black leather cap and standard infantry back pack. The casting looks very nice:



My only objection is the finely plucked eyebrows, which are easy to do something about. I particularly like the detail of the crucifix nesting on a distinctly hairy chest!

[Jon Heptonstall]

Interesting subject Peter.
The box art is less than inspiring but I'm sure you can get a much better result.
Jon.

[Guest]

Not at all sure about that Jon.

Here's my take on the head (the cap is just blocked in for now):



Still a bit of refining to do.

[Mickc1440]

That's a great start Peter, somethings gone wrong tho as I'm one of the first here :smiling::smiling:

[SteveH]

Morning Peter

Great start, the box art doesn't look as good as your face, at all.

The photography doesn't help the box art either

It seems dark, grainy and over exposed, as they all seem to be?

New tech v old camera work?

Great start, a cold snap on the way, keep the paints warm and smooth

Regards

Steve H

[Richard48]

You must be clairvoyant Peter.Just yesterday i was looking at an old Military in scale magazine from 2000.There is an article on how this bust was sculpted!!.Done in standard miliput.The sculptor was Derek holmes who was my first sculpting idol.He did a lot for V.P and very sadly no longer with us
Watching with interest.

Richard.

[Guest]

Mick - Cheers.

Steve - I think it is the pre-digital photography that lets the box art down. I've seen some close-ups of FW's bust work and it is excellent.

Richard - So it's Derek Holmes, Great fan of his work and I really like what he's done here.

[Guest]

This is what he looks like now:



I decided to give him the colours of what I believe was the 2nd Fusiliers - red facings and green and white helmet crest. All a bit shiny at the moment, but you get the idea.

[Steven000]

Looking sweet as always Peter
Kind regards
Steven

[Richard48]

Wow thats nice Peter.Nice colour palette.Derek holmes would have been delighted with your rendition.
Nicely done Mate.
Richard

[Guest]

Thanks Steven and Richard. It will look a lot better after a coat of matt varnish.

[SteveH]

Morning Peter

Stunning work, the character is really shining through.

The black hat looks so odd in relation to the uniform colour.

Might not show the sweat but in North Africa I'll bet it will be warm!

Have another great day painting

Regards

Steve H

[Guest]

Hi Steve - I think the black leather cap was styled on those worn by hunters. As you say, must have been sweaty in the desert.

This one's finished:



The rest of the uniform was fairly straightforward to do, but the whites took forever, particularly the greatcoat(?) roll - layer after layer was needed to get an opaque finish, and after all that the camera has bleached out the detail.

[Jon Heptonstall]

Turned out lovely.That funny looking cap is a petit casquette and has a flap which unbuttons to protect the back of his neck from the sun.
Jon.

[Richard48]

Jaw dropping Peter.Absolute cracker of a bust.Love all the colours and a nice tribute to the late Derek Holmes.
Sublime my friend.
Richard.