"Quatre Bras Diorama" Topic

Nice little dio about the French Cavalry charge to the British Squares…

More here
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Amicalement
Armand

Very cool!

Technically superb…what painting skill and what about the shading on the trumpeters' greys?

My only worry would be historical accuracy. Parade cavalry uniforms, Garde Lanciers that were no longer committed by the time the "British" units arrived, pre 1812 reforms trumpeter and God help the Gordons….that is a very broken square….. never mind the plaid not crimson sash over the shoulder of their officer..

Wish I had a fraction of this skill, but I prefer to see realism, even if dull, muddy and blood and guts….and I still get it wrong every time. My Gendarmes Trumpeters are a decade pre Waterloo I know!

Hello,

This is a very nice piece of work with good composition and excellent painting. Unfortunately, the Guard 'Red' lancers, whilst present at Quatre Bras were not involved apart from the opening stages. The real lancers involved were those of the line under the overall command of Comte Pire and his 2nd Cavalry division.

Pire and his troops were professionals who gave the Duke and especially the Dutch cavalry a very bad day.

Happy modelling.

Chris

It is a beautiful piece of painting and composition, but I am a bit puzzled about that horizontal red stripe on the 92d's flag. I wonder what the source is?

Mollinary

Exactly, to both of you.

We could be dismissed (sometimes aggressively) as "button counters", but, if we admit the fantastic artistic skills, does it hurt to question the accuracy of what is portrayed?

We simply must try to improve what is shown, with historical research hindsight…if not, what is the point of this forum?

I value far more some (any) response that tells me where I went wrong…or even the bits that someone especially likes……than just saying "Far out man…outta sight man….totally blew my mind,with yer Mamelukes " ( Deadhead talking here….it was 1970)

These pictures……No different from any contemporary painting of course!

Happy you enjoyed it boys! (smile)

My friend deadhead… in defense of the author… at the beginning of the French cavalry charge… the British infantry were not ready to received them… they paid for that… until their incredible good skills allow them to form square with some french riders inside them…

Amicalement
Armand

A+ for the mad skillz!

C for accuracy. Essentially, the Highlanders are being assailed by the wrong lancers!

Line lancers indeed tore into the highlanders….but Ney had strict instructions not to commit the Light Cavalry of the Guard….they did get into the DBs at the opening of Quatre Bras nonetheless. That famous painting had it right….Line Lancers….Highlanders closing the square…….

and Black Watch anyway not Gordons……

I hope folk view this constructively. Brilliant modelling and painting…but…like the very best contemporary art, it is fantasy….nothing wrong with that!

As an FYI; these figures are commercially available, ie, they come fully assembled and painted (I should know, it's one of the lines I retail), the person who bought them and constructed the diorama around them did not paint them to represent actual units that were or were not at the Battle of Quatre Bras.

He decided to do a diorama, ie, have a little fun with his collection.

So, you can dial down the criticism of the paint jobs, incorrect sashes, wrong color buttons, wrong regiment or any other shots because again, he did not paint them himself, he's using what is available from the manufacturer is all……………

Hello, please accept my apologies if my comments have caused offence, this was not my intent.Having praised the composition and painting I merely pointed out the historical error initiated by the labelling of the item on the blog spot as Quatre Bras 16th June.

Having fun is what our hobby is all about, but knowledge when used constructively can also be most enjoyable to share.

Happy modelling,

Chris

Well, whoever painted it, it is beautiful, but I remain interested in the source for the red stripe on the flag, which I have never seen before.

Mollinary

The red stripe is bogus.

link

never mind the plaid not crimson sash over the shoulder of their officer.

Mine all have plaid sashes. Red would just blend with the uniform. It looks "right" even if it isn't.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

The plaid sash was totally right just a few years after Waterloo. These are minor details….the trick is not to take it too seriously, but be prepared to learn. Surely that is the whole point of an exchange forum like this.

Everyone, above, who pointed out inconsistencies, also praised the painting and modelling skills.

Who are the really sad folk? Those who counted too many buttons (but praised the lace), or those who dismissed any comment on accuracy as just "button counting"? (OK that is what it was….I know). I did say that I hoped folk viewed this constructively………….up to you, after that.

I have learnt so much from figures I have posted here, with positive criticism and subsequent change in my practice. Why else show your work?

Liam – I am resolved never to show my work on TMP…

But agreed – lovely diorama, and equally good observations for those who want to get things right.

And Guard Lancers' uniforms are just sooo much cooler than line…