"General Lefebvre-Desnoettes " Topic

This is an AB figure of General Lefebvre-Desnoettes and what a gem it is. As I've painted up units of Chasseurs a Cheval of the Guard in 15mm Minifigs and 25mm Minifigs years ago I couldn't resist the temptation to paint this figure up. What can I say I'm a closet Francophile.

I decided to add a trumpeter to his command base instead of an ADC. I wanted to do something different to match up with the General sculpt a little better. So a conversion was in order. Below are the 3 AB Horse Artillery Figures used for the conversion for the trumpeter. I went with these as they are all 1 piece castings like the general and match up well with his sculpt

Here's the finished Trumpeter utilizing the arm from the left figure, the colpack from the middle figure and the right figure used for the rest, I still have the option to include the dolman to the figure as I did cut it away from the officer and worked on it to give it a different angle coming off the figure, if I decide to add it. I kind of like it without the dolman though to be different.

So here is the finished command base for the General

John

Excellent work!

That's fabulous work as ever John. I'm really jealous of your painting skills (The 15mm Minifig Chasseurs a Cheval you painted are definitely the best-looking figures in my collection). Nice conversion work on the trumpeter as well.

Now you've come out of the closet as a Francophile does it mean you will be painting up a French army to oppose your Prussians?

Wow…beautiful

Great work!

Of course, I'd name my figure "Lt. Colonel Pierre Daumesnil", but you made the second best name choice!

Fantastic work!

Very nice John.

Certainly inspirational painting! The conversion is top notch as well. I've recently returned to Napoleonics and I've had fun dusting off the old troops, my old 15mm Minifigs. When I find my box of unpainted nappies, I'll use your work for inspiration.

Very nice.

Mike

Fantastic work!

Bravo!! I am always impressed with your work, but this must be some of the best so far!

Excellent conversion and superb painting – it is a joy to look at the figures.

Great! I really like these close pictures it helps learning how to paint better. Thank you! 1806 is my favorite time period and you make these figures really come to life! More prussians anytime soon?

Michael

great work – an inspiration

Wow great work on that conversion and great job painting the figures. I agree with you on liking the figure without the dolman. It looks unique but also Lefebvre-Desnoettes will stand out more from the trumpeter if he is the only one with the dolman.
Really neat to see a trumpeter in miniature who isn't turned to his side blowing the trumpet for a change.

Gentleman, you've overwhelmed me with your kindness!!

Larry R, jdeleonardis, Frederick, DeRuyter, Dr Jeckyll, Redcurrant, and my good von Winterfeld, thank you for your comments. They fuel my motivation.

Stephen, yes, 2 French Divisions in bicornes are currently residing on my workbench, one with and one without greatcoats. So French Infantry will eventually get painted.
Also these are probably the same colors I used on the Minifig Guard Chasseurs, that our now in your possession.

Andrew, as this is the figure for General Lefebvre-Desnoettes, in reality he will be whoever the actual commander of the Guard Chasseurs is at a specific battle. This means it probably won't be Lefebvre-Desnoettes as he didn't take over the regiment till 1808. So he could be Daumesnil.

Paul, my dear friend, happy that you had the time to post, as I know you've been extremely busy with work lately.

Myxemail, we all have someone else's work that we aspire to. I'm glad I can help get you back in painting Naps. All of us old-timers seem to be getting back to our wargaming roots lately. I've only been back around 2 years after being away for more than a decade.

MarbotsChasseurs. Yes I've already done up a couple of 5th Queen's Dragoons test figures. It will be awhile as this is a 60 man unit in GdB.
These figures actually look allot better at some more distance. But I've had a couple people in the past ask me to zoom in closer to view the paint job. Step away from your screen and you'll see what I mean.
If you haven't been to Paul's (Paulalba) Blog, He's kindly been hosting some of my 1806 Prussians. While there check out Paul's own finely painted Napoleonic units.

link

Ashenduke. That's one of the reasons for the conversion, besides he looks more animated also. The one thing I didn't mention was that I had to paint about 80% of the trumpeter before I could attach the arm, as I would have had a tough time painting the front of his uniform otherwise. So I can see why a figure with his arm positioned like this in 18mm, would be rather difficult to paint and not really popular for that reason.

Absolutely drop dead gorgeous!!! Wonderful stuff!!!

Simply beautiful, John!

Field Marshal and Peter,
Thanks guys, for the comments.
John

Amazing skill. Well done! Thanks for sharing.

I think the photo placed second from the bottom is stunning, it really shows the figures off to their best advantage!

Excellent painting, nice saturated colors, excellent miniatures incl. a seamless conversion and a great base.

There's nothing more that I could say but thank you for sharing!

One has to look at the link – in m view – even better ;-)), the Prussian artillery – marvellous, excellent work

Wow… Those are superb.

Brilliant conversions and paint job, very lovely figures.

1815Guy- Thank you

Andrew- I agree with you as that's my favorite also.

Kawe- Thank you as always. The trick for both the green and
the red is to add a little yellow to both colors and use that to do your highlights on the figure as it gives the color more depth. Also this is over a flat black primer to boot.

von Winterfeldt – Thanks on the Artillery on Paul's blog. I do love the AB early Prussian Artillery also and espeially the horse artillery figures, I think they're some Barton's finest. I do have to darken their uniforms up a little as they mighy be a little lite. It did take a little time to find a good color for the equipement, but the one I'm using I think is pretty close.

Stanley Steve – Thank you.

Dan – Thanks and unlike your conversion work on Scott's figures, it's only a one figure conversion and not a whole unit!! A little easier to handle.

John

Why can't my stuff look like that!!! And what a character he was!!! Lefebvre-Desnoettes would be proud!!!

John Miller

amazing brush work as usual and incredible conversions too boot. awesome job on these. very well done!

Now if anyone asks who your general is you can say:
"I've got Lefebvre."

John – Thanks for the comment, also give me 3 hours and I could probablly get you close to this.

Stacy – Thanks and think of the red on the trumpeter as that would be close to the red we'll be using. Basically a crimson red.

Murvhill – That's good.

John

I can't even conceive any of my figures coming out like this. When do you give classes?

"Murvhill – That's good."

Thanks, SWMBO usually just rolls her eyes…

YouTube link

Murvhill said,
"Thanks, SWMBO usually just rolls her eyes…"

I have been getting that look for over 30 years, so get use to it.

Beric,
It's all about technique and color choices. If you can get paint to flow evenly from a brush and have steady hands, your more than half way there. I haven't done a painting class in 20 years though, and I was allot better then, when I had steadier hands and didn't need magnification to paint.

John

@bkim4175
Well if you ever make it out to Little Wars outside of Chicago, bring paint, brushes, and some figures. I'll work with you on improving your painting skills. That's a promise.

John

This one is not bad either…

Amicalement
Armand

Before this academy of lovefest gets out of hand_

>>I kind of like it without the dolman though to be different.

It's the PELISSE that is missing, he wears a dolman (braided yes?).

Nice mods- I do mine in 25mm, and that is difficult enough, congrats, d

Where is Tango's figure from?

Try: stevebarbermodels.com
From what I read on the website, this was a commissioned piece, but it seems that multiple copies would be available.

Just piling on with the well-deserved praise here, but I particularly like the leopard skin shabraque.