Back to beloved ABs

[k.b.]

I wrote this last night - or at least something similar - as i accidentally erased it before i managed to post it. Enough crying over spilt milk let`s crack on. As recently mentioned on my 1/72 Napoleonic cavalry project, I happened to turn an eye to an often neglected corner of my workshop the other day and a little 18mm AB partially finished grey horse suddenly caught that eye. That`s it ..... my waning inspiration seemed rekindled like magic. I delved further and found an almost completed Marshall Davout who i believe i had intended to mount on this horse.
And like magic this thread was born. These are the figures themselves, i think yours truly is gonna have fun because i also came across a few other almost completed cavalry figures, a Cuirassier general, some Horse Guard Grenadiers a Cheval and a whole lot more unpainted, but stupendously well sculpted Antony Barton sculpts. Let`s see how my eyes will cope with this smaller scale - and this thread I dedicate to Mr Barton, who if my memory serves me rightly, did occasionally visit Bennos. Thank you kindly sir for your unrivalled 18mm figures.









As you can see they do need a few brush strokes to finish them off properly - and i need to try to decipher what Davout is holding in his right hand before i can do him full justice (anyone have any clues).

[Ochoin]

His glasses?

I saw them in the museum in Paris a few weeks ago.

donald

[k.b.]

A good guess donald but he is actually wearing his glasses. I`ll try to get a close-up photo of him taken this weekend to prove it. If i had to guess I would say it could be a glasses case. However, i really need to read something about Davout to learn more about his personal habits. I might benefit from watching The Duellists again because every scene of that film was an example of beautiful still life photography of the period and it might easily reveal one or two possibilities.

[k.b.]

Just looked again and have put 1 + 1 together and concluded it’s a …… MIRROR.

[k.b.]

Also found some Guard Grenadiers that i couldn`t resist basecoating.

and then getting a basic flesh tone on their faces and hands......and some cords and their bearskins....

........ they`re an absolute joy to paint

















It`s like applying paint to little jewels.......

...........and all i`ve done up to now is block in the colours. I haven`t added much shading or highlights and still haven`t resorted to my Optivisor which i will do to define the individual areas. They really are a piece of cake to paint..... the sculpts are so good........ it`s like painting by numbers.

[Ochoin]

The best thing about AB Napoleonics is they *aren't* in 20mm.

If they were, I'd be broke &/or divorced.

donald

[k.b.]

This fellow, on the other hand is almost complete. Perhaps some darker shadows, one or two highlights particularly to his bearskin, and have decided to try out white gaiters not, may I add as they are here, but i intend to add some dirt and grime to them. If the finished effect is not to my liking I will simply change them to black.
















Will also try out some orange chevrons on his arms to add some variety and make him even more intimidating.

[C M Dodson]

Beautiful work.

Your painting skill is extraordinary .

Best wishes,

Chris

[k.b.]

Many thanks Chris for your generous praise. Haven`t posted these Horse Grenadiers before even though they were painted many moons ago but like so much of my work I never managed to get them finished. Thought it high time I did so.

Obviously the brown horse will be replaced by a black one and the finishing touches, including straightening up some swords, further detailing horse furniture, adding details to their horsecloths should make a considerable difference.

And that`s not to mention their bases.

[Santi Pérez]

All those painted guards look splendid, k.b., both the foot grenadiers and their horse colleagues.

Santi.

[k.b.]

Here`s another white gaitered grenadier. Must say it would be the easiest way to differentiate between Grenadiers of the Guard and Chasseurs of the Guard.

Here he is next to a line infantryman wearing his overcoat.

They`re both pretty much complete other than their bases.

[Iceman1964]

Your panting level is really superb !!! I find the "white on white" zones for grenadier painting a real challenge for me

[k.b.]

Thanks Iceman for your kind comments! It took me many years to be able to paint what I now consider a reasonable representation of white clothing and I think the secret is so simple. What we believe to be white is not really white - it’s a very light grey. From there we can add darker shadows in the darkest folds but we can also add almost a pure white to the highest highlights. That way we can get subtle blends which to my mind best reproduces white clothing.

[Peter]

These are really nice figures and you did them honour with your painting!

I paint my white parts as following: white base - grey wash - white drybrush
For the belts and straps: black - paint them white and leave a little black line on the outside

Like this:

[k.b.]

Here`s a drummer and as you can see i usually start with the basic face and other flesh tones afterwhich i block in the main colours. Then i start adding light and shade to the individual areas until i finish the figure. I tend to work from top to bottom but that does vary sometimes, according to my mood.

[k.b.]

Another small batch of Old Guard Grenadiers that will finish off my small unit - but they will be put to good use, i hope.

Am in doubt about the flag but i want to paint it freehand - unsure what material to use (paper, cotton or flattened putty are my 3 options, let`s see which turns out best).
Ps. Feel free to make suggestions.....
These chaps will join their peers, who are drying off under these plastic domes i came across some time ago in a craft shop, that i`d never found a use for. Now i have.