deadhead | 18 Dec 2015 8:19 a.m. PST |
If that is the collective term for a bunch of smartly turned out Mamelukes……… Well the Mameluke Parade of Gringo40s figures is finally done. It is a small parade mind you. There should be four of those hairy toug things around the eagle bearer (and I suspect he should be riding an officer's horse, but I then decided he must be a senior NCO, having done the shabraque……..) I could not resist using the Tuileries picture again. The trumpeter is done but he is going in another wheatfield (surprised that so many folk felt that worked, but encouraged to try again) with the officer….except I have been working extra sessions most days due to staff shortages back at the ranch……..groan. Meant to be part timer! You should see the quality of the castings here……..the timbalier especially. His saddlecloth (like the drum banners) paints itself.
Many higher resolution images on; imageshack.com/a/9YJ4/1 |
jeffreyw3 | 18 Dec 2015 8:34 a.m. PST |
Nice! And nice zoom in on the camera…very brave! |
ColCampbell | 18 Dec 2015 11:37 a.m. PST |
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jammy four | 18 Dec 2015 11:43 a.m. PST |
Deadhead you have surpassed yourself old chap with the visual aesthetics and general composition……..most impressed. best regards Ged gringo40s.com gringo40s.com facebook "Gringo40s" |
deadhead | 18 Dec 2015 1:11 p.m. PST |
Much appreciated I do take the point about the camera and zooming in. It is horrifying! The Touk bearer in the bottom photo, above, I knew that the white had run onto the knot in his blue sash and meant to fix it. The drummer's white horse (in real life he is beautifully, but subtly, dappled….but put him under the lighting you need for f32 and depth of focus at 3 secs exposure……..he is dead white with no shading.), the harness across his face on his left…..…a tiny red blob that only shows on photos….the yellow collar you will see on the linked pics. The black lace was fine, but for a streak across the back of the collar. The Blue edging to the collars looks fine naked eye………….awful on a photo. The flag (GMB of course) I will flex more, once set, obviously These are the best figures I have ever worked on. Not even a unit that would once have particularly appealed to me, quite honestly. I'm a Gendarmes d'Elite type myself. Plainer, duller colours work for me…..en masse. I do not use my work. They just sit on a series of shelves I now just love these. But in expert hands, which mine are not…………wow. I would love to see these in some competition, painted by a professional. |
AuvergneWargamer | 18 Dec 2015 1:23 p.m. PST |
Bonsoir, Really like these and thanks for sharing. Cheers, Paul |
French Wargame Holidays | 18 Dec 2015 2:31 p.m. PST |
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stoneman1810 | 18 Dec 2015 3:03 p.m. PST |
Really nice, Deadhead. Thanks for posting. |
Ligniere | 18 Dec 2015 4:59 p.m. PST |
Great work on the figures – and the cobble stone bases are superb |
Footslogger | 19 Dec 2015 2:47 a.m. PST |
Excellent stuff. I think I'd go with a "flaunt" of Mamelukes. And I might add a man with a bucket and shovel following the horses. |
Marcel1809 | 19 Dec 2015 10:45 a.m. PST |
Ispiring work of art, this is more than just figure painting, this is real art. These mamelukes look absolutely real, it appears as if some are deliberately looking into the camera, scary! I already have a squadron of mamelukes (bad foundries) in my army, but now i am tempted to replace them with gringo's figures. Project for after finishing some 200 Russian reinforcements… |
paulalba | 19 Dec 2015 5:44 p.m. PST |
Gorgeous deadhead something to aspire to! |
Dutch508 | 19 Dec 2015 8:56 p.m. PST |
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archiduque | 20 Dec 2015 4:35 a.m. PST |
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jammy four | 20 Dec 2015 3:54 p.m. PST |
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Markconz | 20 Dec 2015 8:11 p.m. PST |
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Markconz | 20 Dec 2015 8:11 p.m. PST |
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deadhead | 21 Dec 2015 8:49 a.m. PST |
Thanks to all once more. It really is very encouraging, as, frankly, I am still fairly new to all this (well, since I painted my Airfix and some Hincliffe figures, in the early 1970s, anyway.) Now, the bases I, too, thought were cobblestones, as seen in the courtyard of Les Invalides, Palais de Luxembourg or even Dublin Castle. No, it seems they are granite sets. It turns out that cobble stones are less regular, round topped, less brick like and murder to walk on in high heels (I am told anyway!). They are easily found in UK railway model shops but do take some painting…..brick by brick but then obscuring all your work with washes and dry brushing….crazy, why do we do it? The suggestion of a small deposit left by the horses is one I have used for carriage models, but forgot here……….that I will now add for realism (seriously!) The drummer does like he is looking into the camera at times, but he doing it with the Terminator's red eye on his right…..no idea why. Not in real life. More photos posted here? Never too sure whether it is OK to inflict too many images, but rather leave it, to anyone interested, to follow the link to the rest. My plan is to base the officer and trumpeter, tidy up the errors in my painting on these, the parade, (if I ever get time) and redo the pics. Now of course I wish I had bought four tougs to surround the eagle bearer…….. Finally, must thank Rafa, but tell him where I learnt how to do the white and sky grey shading on the turbans…his book! "There is always one master and one apprentice", Episode One told us. Must see Episode 7! |
JulianHammond | 22 Dec 2015 3:32 a.m. PST |
Very, very nice. Lovely colours and photo work. |
jammy four | 22 Dec 2015 3:45 a.m. PST |
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deadhead | 22 Dec 2015 4:57 a.m. PST |
Well here is something I am working on right now. The Pollyfilla is soft, still, as I type this. It is an experiment to find a better way to mount the wheat field stalks, vertically. It may or may not work but…worth a try. I have 200 stalks made….I am a very sad person(and I really must hollow out the trumpeter's trumpet properly…..why do you always notice these things after painting?)
I must resist more Mamelukes right now. My long postponed project is Ney's charge from the Panorama. The Perry trio obviously, but the cuirassier falling, the third ADC and the fallen trumpeter I want to add. But now I am wondering about other musicians for the Mamelukes. I am sure I saw a picture of a flute player somewhere. Does anyone have any info on that? I love doing conversions……..and these figures are irresistable. Yes! Just hit me!!!!!! The Cymbal player has both arms away from his thorax…so all I have to do is amputate just below the shoulder rotate inwards and…………Oh no….not again…. |
jammy four | 22 Dec 2015 7:05 a.m. PST |
looking good ………..as far as I can tell with my research I have covered all members of the Band..quite a substantial one considering they were only squadron size cheers Ged gringo40s.com gringo40s.blogspot.com
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deadhead | 22 Dec 2015 7:23 a.m. PST |
Of course….that explains it…..small unit would not have the full complement of musicians of course. So no flutes, trombones, French horns or serpents. Touching up of errors now done and his trumpet is hollowed out with a Dremel. |
Cuirassier | 22 Dec 2015 3:37 p.m. PST |
Beautiful, Deadhead! Simply beautiful! Patrice Courcelle and you have one thing in common… Both of you are superb artists. CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT. link |
deadhead | 22 Dec 2015 3:47 p.m. PST |
Oh wow….forgive an immediate reply…. I know this looks like just me trying to push this back to the top. But that is superb. Thanks so much. It has inspired me to do the other three Toug bearers. But, trust me, I am not in his league, even remotely. Painting 3D onto something that already has superb mouldings is one thing……….OK, use washes and highlights………..but imagine creating 3D on a flat canvas. Imagine portraying gold with whites and yellows and browns…….. What a fabulous picture. I have never found this in all my searches. |
von Winterfeldt | 23 Dec 2015 12:43 a.m. PST |
great work, clearly a labour of love, yes one could do the complete band with the Gringo figures, just musing if all the musicians should be on white horses? I agree – an inspirational painting by Patrice Courcelle |
jammy four | 23 Dec 2015 8:26 a.m. PST |
Deadhead Patrice Courcelle painting of Captain Kirman was the inspiration for the figure I have had done of him.. I believe its in the Osprey book…Spoke to the man himself once..great guy and knows his "stuff" Von Winterfeldt I have some copious notes on the Mamelukes from the Imperial era and will check out the horse colours of the trumpters I seem to remember a mixture of white and dapple grey. ps just considering whether of not to manufacture early Mamelukes ……………I wonder!!!!! or a few more of the originals…………(imperial) regards Ged gringo40s.com gringo40s.blogspot.com |
deadhead | 23 Dec 2015 10:19 a.m. PST |
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! Sob………. I read this first thing and could not wait to get home to check my sources. Of course the trumpeters rode greys. I knew that. Any fool knows that. Also everyone portrays the timbalier on a white. Everyone knows the French did this, to make the trumpeters more easily distinguished by their COs. But they wouldn't need to do that for mounted musicians, obviously……………except they did. Weep…… Every Garde cavalry band seems to have used white/grey horses, I now see. Not just the trumpeters…every blooming musician!
I now find the cymbal player in Osprey on a white. I have a coloured image of the kettle drummer…on a white. There are on line pics of the Gringos musicians beautifully painted….all have one thing in common. It simply never even crossed my mind
OK. I am not downhearted….really. I am so grateful to find out now and not to be abused as a moron. I spent the afternoon between operations working out how I can salvage this……..(turn around was awful).
I will get the four tougs and they can ride the bays and chestnut horses (wish I had not used superglue to fix the musician riders). I will even do a minor conversion on another Cymbal player and another trumpeter. A bigger Parade of Mamelukes will rise from the Ashes of my howler. On order tonight!
Yes, White or Dappled grey? I appreciate the distinction is very subtle indeed sometimes.
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Cuirassier | 23 Dec 2015 11:22 a.m. PST |
You are too modest, Deadhead. ;-) Check out Patrice Courcelle's page on Facebook. He's always showing his sutff there (including material from private collections). Courcelle posted this painting of the Mamelukes in 2012 or 2014. link |
von Winterfeldt | 23 Dec 2015 1:31 p.m. PST |
Mamelucks might be the exception, I feel really bad now. |
deadhead | 23 Dec 2015 2:49 p.m. PST |
No…..you are right…I am suffering…. But this is good for me. I will come out of this a better and wiser person. Gringos will sell more Mamelukes (just ordered). My parade will grow bigger. My wife is cross. I did promise, after these were finished, there would be a break and something simpler (Ney's charge as above)….but now….. Seriously, I am so glad you told me. Now it is so obvious of course. Thanks!!! Merry Christmas to you all |
jammy four | 23 Dec 2015 3:55 p.m. PST |
Deadhead………….I have a pile of info on the Mamelukes some rare from France once the festivities are over I will have a thumb through and have them coloured copied for more inspiration! and sent over to you………. I seem to remember reading Marbot about the fact he was offered a white horse prior to Leipzig ,,he wisely refused as a trumpeter from the 8th eme Chasserus a cheval used the mount ………..he lasted all of five minutes under a hail of musket fire and roundshot. I believe the preference was for Greys/dappled and otherwise or by 1813/14 any colour! cheers Ged gringo40s.com gringo40s.blogspot.com |
Ducel1 | 23 Dec 2015 10:38 p.m. PST |
Deadhead, great figures. The mamelouk band consisted of; 1 trumpet major, 4 trumpeters, 1 timbalier, 2 cymbals, 2 "Jingling Johnnies" and 2 timbaliers whose drum was smaller and more shallow than the single timbalier. A great reference is the Bucquoy b/wcard (La Tete de colonne de la Compagnie), that depicts the mamelouk band. The standard bearer should be accompanied by 4 toug bearers. The tougs should be 2 black, 1 red and 1 yellow. I would like to see figures depicting mamelouks of the Consulate period……..they retain much of their native dress and weapons and would be much more interesting. Hope this helps. Russ |
deadhead | 24 Dec 2015 4:32 a.m. PST |
That is exactly what I wanted to know. Many thanks. I have found that image too…..perfect. The lightest toug, some say yellow, some white. Everyone seems agreed a brass covered pole though….more repairs. "I love Mamelukes, me" My final parade might show a "limited" band, but my mistake will finally mean an expansion nearer to the real thing. Something good will come of it….and I am still very glad that von W pointed it out! I had just wanted to portray just one each of the Gringo range. New order last night and worked out how to shuffle them around. Chance now to do a few small conversions too. A trumpet major? HMMM. Had not thought of that! Wonder how he looked? At least I know for sure now that there would not be a woodwind or brass (beyond trumpets) section! |
jammy four | 29 Dec 2015 8:56 a.m. PST |
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deadhead | 29 Dec 2015 2:19 p.m. PST |
I suspect it was just a bit more lace….and more use of Vallejo Old Gold… Uniforms and Mamelukes seems an oxymoron! Lace, colours, cut of their rig, end result was great. But chaotic! I hate them. I prefer dull, realistic, uniform looks. I had never had the slightest interest in this tiny unit (Unlike Gendarmes of course) but my curiosity was aroused by the images on the website. Once I handled them. I keep saying this……… They are unique quality castings. I am no expert painter. These are a challenge and, a month or so ago, I said I found them "intimidating". You do need to sit down with this range, take your time, and do it justice. I am assured my new dozen are on the way. But one thought. Only Wargames figures will pay for the Ferrari, the mortgage, the rent, the taxman, the rates, the student fees, the alimony….what will really sell is the guy looking straight ahead, charging horse, sword brandished. Row upon row. You did the separate arm (brilliantly)…use that now……a simple addition. The out-thrust arm with the sabre pointing. Outdo Facebook for earnings……. Oh, and the above occifer and trumpeter are now lost in an even denser wheatfield than my last lot. The cardboard idea is brilliant! |
jammy four | 30 Dec 2015 11:39 a.m. PST |
Deadhead appreciate the feedback on my Mamelukes and your commitment in making them look so splendid!! figures will be with you tomorrow best regards Ged gringo40s.com gringo40s.blogspot.com |
deadhead | 15 Jan 2016 5:00 a.m. PST |
Well Ney's charge is done so started today on the expanded band, with six charging figures. Great fun with greenstuff and especially the chance to adapt the separate right arm, using some spares from the scrap box.
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jammy four | 17 Jan 2016 11:49 a.m. PST |
almost as many Mamelukes as there were present at Waterloo …47 or so………..if only we could be sure The Mamelukes look splendid in the yellowish light! regards Ged gringo40s.com gringo40s.blogspot.com |
deadhead | 17 Jan 2016 12:27 p.m. PST |
You mean the white balance is wrong….you are right! Slight concern about showing conversions…there is a copyright issue and I am never sure about how much one may adapt figures and then exhibit them. Flogging them would be very dodgy I know. These will never leave my shelf. The usual disclaimer then, these, or some of them anyway, are slightly modified, so any failings are mine!
I still think the separate right arm is a brilliant choice for any modeller. No one has ever done the left arm separately for cavalry (hint)…………..no one. Actually your cymbalist might just be the…………. |
jammy four | 17 Jan 2016 12:32 p.m. PST |
not such a bad thing!!!!! |