Sculpting an American Civil War Zouave in 54mm

Here's another sculpting video I put together. Thanks to my wonderful computer "geek" son for helping me through this still unknown territory. There's some things I would have changed in editing, like possibly not spending so much time on sculpting the armature but more overall construction of the piece. Ancora imparo!

"I JESU NAMN..." Lutzen 16 November 1632

Getting projects wrapped up for the MFCA/APG Show in a few weeks. Here's a piece inspired by a painting that I grabbed off the interenet. Unfortunately, I am unable to find the artist name or title of the work. The musketeer accessories are from "Glory" miniatures and the AIRFIX English Civil War plastic kits. The head is from Hornet. Painted in acrylics.

Continental Army infantryman 1778

I've been a sculpting and painting fool this month. Lots of projects to post. Sit back and enjoy.

Continental Army Officer Painted

Here's my contribution to the Artist Preservation Group's auction at next month's APG/MFCA Show.

Having some small scale fun. This fella is a pikeman from the Thirty Years Wars. I experimented with a satin varnish to give it some protection, in case some day I find motivation to build a wargames army.

Next project underway on the painting workbench

Recap of the Fehrbellin Vignette

As I said in a previous post, I took some liberties in the depiction of these subjects, but for those wondering why Frederick is not on a white horse like the illustration. There is a story that just before the battle, an aide to Frederick, traded horses with the "Great Elector" so as to be not so conspicuous riding on such an obvious target.

The many depictions of the "The Great Elector". Needless to say I took some liberties and license on my version of Frederick William.

My inspiration and reference for the Fehrbellin vignette. The book text was in German, which was difficult when trying to understand the minutia of the campaign, and the nuts and bolts of army and command structure, but an article in MILITARY HERITAGE MAGAZINE (April 2009) was very helpful in understanding the basics and was enough to get me motivated.

Here's some pics of the finished piece. I'm pretty pleased on how it turned out. I plan in taking more with my regular camera.

This fella will be my next project. I started this piece a couple years ago and kinda got sidetracked. It will be a Continental army officer saluting with a pike.

The Battle of Fehrbellin wad fought in mid June, and I wanted the ground work to reflect that time of year. Deep green field grass spattered with yellow wild flowers gives it that early summer feel.

Almost finished. The last figure is about 90% done.

The fallen mounted figure is attached to base and left arm armature glued to bed roll of standing horse. Sculpting the arm took some time, I had to be extremely mindful of the sword of the mounted figure for fear of breaking off. In hindsight, I should have made all sword armed hands seperate. Luckily, no incidents and sculpting the arm and hand turned out better than planned.

A fellow modeler asked me what colors I used for the bay/chestnut colored horse. I primed the piece black and used the colors pictured.

I like using unraveled twine for field grass. It has a natural twist or snarl.

Painting base and attaching first piece.

I've been a painting fool lately. Painting a figure mounted to a horse, NOT easy.

One down and two to go. A little over half way finished with second mounted figure.