"Garibaldi Guard test figure" Topic

Ok the 39th new York "Garibaldi Guard" was brought up a while a go and after looking at the Dixon range and only finding one figure I decided to go for it anyway. So here's the first figure up

I have converted him into a running position, once again I'm after a unit with movement. Hopefully the paintjob gives a good enough account of the Uniform, so 23 more to go and lots more conversion work ahead, so thanks for looking, and any and all feedback welcome
Cheers for now Russ

Top quality paiting. What's your recipe for the blue ?

Thanks Hecoma, its a mix of GW regal blue 3 parts to one part of chaos black! then just add regal blue to highlight and a tad of white for the final highlight. I couldn't find a blue that was suitable so I mixed it myself, I'm guessing it works.

Thanks bracken.
Yes it works very well. I'm a big fan of your ACW figures.

Russ, words can't express how good your ACW figures are. Any luck on finding a figure to use as a vivandierre yet?There were only two vivs that most people about, French Mary being the most famous, and Lavinia Williams from the Tigers.

Hecoma your more than welcome, and thank you for your comments. I think I'm lucky in that my style of painting seems to suits Dixon minis, all the detail is there just waiting to be painted!
TIG your comments are always warmly welcomed, as for a vivandierre figure I'm trying to convert a Dixon zouave, the head and hat are plastic and do match the figure pretty well but I've still away to go yet! Fingers crossed it works out good enough to paint.

So thanks again guys, feedback is always appreciated.
Cheers for now Russ

Excellent work as ever Bracken!!! I have passed on your paint info to my regular opponent/figure painter as I do this it would be perfect for my Orleans Guard Battalion!!

I look forward with my customary eager anticipation to the completion of this Regiment!!

GoodOldRebel, I am hoping that my conversion skills are up to the job, swapping heads about is the easy part changing the uniform to sack jacket with stand up collar is another. Its a case of trimming down frockcoats on another twenty or so figures and converting the other Garibaldi Guard figures I have got into running/charging poses. Thanks for the compliments regarding my work, its a nice feeling knowing that people are looking forward to my posts, I will try not to disappoint!

Sounds like an epic project bracken! Thus far your conversions have been sublime, and I see no reason for the Garibaldi Guard to disappoint

Its certainly a challenge converting every single figure in the unit, but it should be worth it! Normally I only do a few conversions per unit so this is a first. The actual painting part is going to be the easy bit compared to the carving, hacking and greenstuffing.

Still a fantastic opportunity to really create your own unique regiment

I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew! but I think like you say its a opportunity to create a one off regiment.

absolutely Bracken, do them in manageable batches and you'll be done in no time

Six down, six more on the paint table and six more in the process of being converted! It actually feels like I'm making progress at long last!!

Have to say I am very excited! Just this one Regiment has been a massive project!

Thanks for that, I'm plodding on slowly and did a little bit of work on them today

this shows some of the progress that I have made on the conversion work! I still have a way to go but its going to worth it.

Lookin' good sir.

Thanks TIG, cutting the heads off is the easy part, cutting down the frockcoats is the most time consuming part! Then theres the resculpting, that's before they even get to see a paint brush.

I wish that I could do as well with plastic conversions that you do with metal.

just keep the end product in sight, a totally unique regiment all painted and based and ready to go!

TIG conversion work is time consuming but well worth it, I can't say I always feel that way half way through but its normally worth it. I cut my teeth on plastics years and years ago, its sometimes just a question of breaking it down in to different steps! Doing metal figures is harder but a dremel or similar is a god send! and a sharp knife.

GoodOldRebel, I managed the last few head swaps now its just down to the greenstuff! and then on to the easy part the paint table.

homestretch now, cant wait to see the end product!

So who gets the Viv, the yanks or the rebs?

in the spirit of fairplay why not one for each side?

Hey Guys no pressure then! I'm a rebel at heart but as mentioned fairplay dictates one for each side. I've gone and said it now! More converting and greenstuff on the horizon. I managed to get the colours blocked in on three more today. I was going to cheat a little a add a couple of frockcoats so I didn't have to cut away the detail and re sculpt but I've decided to go the whole hog and do them all in sack jackets! so more greenstuff required.

feeling slightly guilty now…. :-)

Here's a sneak peak

You are just an artist, outstanding work once more. TIG

Thanks TIG, I'm always shocked when people call me an artist but thank you so much for the compliment! I'm a bit bogged down with my first commission but its s start and I am enjoying it. I couldn't really ask for more

tig speaks for me also, an artist indeed! These guys are fantastic work!

thanks GoodOldRebel,i have started blocking in the colours on the last 8, I'm juggling my time with a commission but I am getting there! slow but sure!!

They are going to be awesome!!

I have finally finished the last four figures! So now its flags, varnish and basing! Yippeeeee

You forgot "posting", so the rest of us can see them.

TIG, once the flags, varnish and basing is done I will post pictures. I figured I had posted enough WIP and teaser pics! The next time I post you will see them in all their glory. I must admit I cant wait to get them based and shown off!

We will wait patiently.

We shall indeed

Hey Bracken, no need to answer this until your figures are ready to be shown. Will they have a Viv with them?