1/12 Airfix Imperial Guard Grenadier

[Jon Heptonstall]

Fantastic.
Jon.

[Tim Marlow]

Looking good Neil, finely observed details.

[Guest]

Cor blimey!

[Windy]

Late for parade Miller, take two extras! Can't believe I've only just noticed this. Amazing work already Neil. Definitely following so I'll just perch on the brandy barrel at the back. I promise I won't drink all of it!

[Neil Merryweather]

Many thanks Scottie, Jon, Tim, Peter and 'welcome' to Alex.
You better be sharp with that brandy as the rabble are in........

[Steve Jones]

Wow! Luv what you have done to the backpack. Stunning work

[Neil Merryweather]

Well thank you Steve.
I just realised I forgot to show the 'before' pic of the greatcoat roll

cheers
Neil

[Neil Merryweather]

Ok we are back with this boy after a little break.

I’m still avoiding doing the buttons, but one thing that has been taxing my brain cell is how to represent the braid on the bearskin.

Now I’ve started these ‘improvements’ there’s no going back.
Looking at re-enactor images it’s quite a specific pattern, not just a plait.

(Image for reference only)

I didn’t fancy trying to sculpt it so I decided to figure out how to do it for real. I started at a large scale, before attempting it at the proper size. I used a shoe lace, and eventually, calling on sewing skills learnt during my stage design course at art school, it clicked that it is basically a chain stitch from embroidery.

It still took me hours to work it out, and then I forgot how to do it so it took me just as many hours to work it out again!

Once I had managed that the next problem to solve was what cord to use in miniature. I had high hopes for the solder but it was not as easy as I thought and then it work-hardened and broke.

I didn’t want to use sewing thread because of the hairiness, but after I had tried fishing line and silicone rubber, I kind of had to, but I wasn’t very happy.


I was just resigning myself to waxing the thread (another sewing trick), when I thought ‘what I need is some tiny insulated wire’, and then I remembered this


It’s a lighting kit from my daughters’ doll’s house from 20, no 30 odd years ago.:flushed:

And what do you know? Absolutely perfect for the job. And not only that- I knew EXACTLY where to find it.

Result!


This is how the chain stitch works. It’s quite tricky to keep all the loops the same size and the tension the same-it’s also important to keep the two strands parallel in the loops, and not twisted.


So I’m a happy bunny today- just goes to show you should never throw anything away!

I’ve made a start with the bearskin, got rid of the old braid and started the texturing of the fur.

But then there are these……………

I believe they are called raquettes – I wonder why?

thanks for looking
Neil

[Tim Marlow]

Possibly because they look a little like basket weave snowshoes? Good luck with them though, they will be way harder than the chain stitch cords (which are fantastic)......Then you only have to do the Pom poms.....this one is going to look spectacular when it’s done!

[Richard48]

A really good job Neal.Always nice to find some stuff in stash to solve a problem.Ive been trying to sculpt straw hats this week for busts and hmm interesting and loads of foul lsnguage
Rich.

[Guest]

You don't do things the easy way do you Neal? The cords are superb - sheer artistry.

[Neil Merryweather]

A really good job Neal.Always nice to find some stuff in stash to solve a problem.Ive been trying to sculpt straw hats this week for busts and hmm interesting and loads of foul lsnguage
Rich.

Oooh tricky!

[Neil Merryweather]

Possibly because they look a little like basket weave snowshoes? Good luck with them though, they will be way harder than the chain stitch cords (which are fantastic)......Then you only have to do the Pom poms.....this one is going to look spectacular when it’s done!

cheers Tim

[Neil Merryweather]

You don't do things the easy way do you Neal? The cords are superb - sheer artistry.

Thanks again,Peter.
I ALWAYS look for the easiest way of doing anything!

[BigGreg]

DDDAAAAAMMMNNNN.... fantastic