"Yet another kettledrummer for those Gendarmes?" Topic

Spent a while working on a slight modification of Gringos40 new Gendarme kettledrummer. Their "official version" is in the much more striking red coat with the iconic bearskin, but, not realising they were going to release this figure, I had already created one from an officer eagle bearer conversion. My new chap has just had a hat swap, with the bicorne and plume from Greenstuff. The blue rig etc is right for late musicians, but I have never seen a drummer in this outfit, so this may be totally imaginary.

To be honest, the real lesson for me is how cruel photography is! To the eye, the reins look fine, you do not see the splodge of red on the silver drum fringe, plus there is no way I could do the blue double stripe inside the silver lace on the shabraque that their artist has achieved. I really do intend to go back and correct….along with all the other intentions………

apologies……I would like to blame the infamous glitch for posting this on the Modern Products Message Boards……but the error was mine. I do not think the contemporary French military are that desperate to resort back to these chaps

I don't know – if I was the French army I would like to have these bad boys on side

Great work

Deadhead a splendid rendition of my kettledrummer…the fore
and aft work sideways is always a look that appeals…and they really did sport huge plumes so good work there!

cheers
Ged
gringo40s.com
gringo40s.blogspot.com

With those reins, that is why I use the dip (or a wash) as a shade coat on my horses – it settles around the reins and "softens" the join between rein and horseflesh, and stops that "waviness" that you may be seeing. The perils of casting (ie the reins are moulded to the horse) mean that the join will always be a challenge – so I "dip" that particular problem away

Thanks folks, but the day I can do the striping on the shabraque lace like this, I'll give up the day job (may do that in two years anyway mind you……..)

Marc tell me more. I can imagine what you mean though. I sprayed this horse in white and honestly wished I had stuck to my usual black. I find it easier to paint up to the harness in white…and stop, leaving the harness black.

I did use some Nuln Oil wash in places, but hesitated to use all over the horse. I find it stains in a very patchy fashion, with "tide marks". Am I not diluting enough? Or is it the wrong product?

Of course I now also see the overlooked silver lace edge to the left lapel too….but only on the photos!

Washes can be tricky. Start with varnishing the model. I use a couple of coats of Klear. It makes the surface smaller enabling the wqshes to flow better. With the matt finish as original, the surface is grainy and so the wash will tend to stain.

Then, be brave, use it neat, and use a big brush. Don't pai t it on – slop it on as if if your life depends on it. If you try and paint it on, it seems to lack the "density" of liquid to flow around. It seems like a lot, but it rolls off.

I use the army painter dip (spirit based) and the Warlord matching washes (water based). I think the dip is easier to use than the wash, but both can work.

Of course, merely mentioning the dip is like saying Beetlejuice thrice – a horde of others will now tell you the dip is the work of the devil and recommend making your own using Klear. Good luck. But I find the dip works really well. All I'm saying…

And with greys, if the dark (ie black) dip is too scary, then use the pin washes just around the joins. I have also used (subtly) purple washes won greys to add a touch of interest. That needs care though – unless you're doing fantasy

Beautiful work deadhead! I always find little omissions, slips or things I'd like to change when I finish some figures. I'd have trouble doing lacing like that.
Just recently I painted some Calpe Landwehr cavalry with Kurmark facings. I checked after and found they needed to be Pommeranian.
Thus I had to repaint, collars, shoulder tabs and sheepskin edging from red to white!

Beautiful figures, I just wish I could paint a straight line.

You are all very charitable. I really did mean to correct this weekend……….along with a dozen other tasks…..and back to work this morning too.

I love the idea of the Klear varnish………convinced that would transform use of washes!

Great work!