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| DK13: French Line Infantry Standard Bearer |
The lettering was hideously difficult to do, and I feel I've been only partially successful. I would probably have done better if I hadn't tried to conform to the rather wonky original inscription. However, I suppose it's ended up closer to Marcus Hnton's original vision this way!
I'm not totally convinced by the colour of the flag pole and may opt for a plain brown staff in the final.
In the next post I'll take a closer look at the rest of the DK French line infantry that will be forming up in the 45th.
WM
superb painting ! do you use gloss or matt humbrol ?
ReplyDeletePaul
Thank you Paul. I've been using matt humbrols to date, fearing that gloss paints would totally obscure what little there is in terms of relief details on these figures! However, having said that I've just bought a tin of gloss "midnight blue" in the hope that this will finally provide the really dark blue I've been searching for.
DeleteHi Matt, the French did indeed paint the staff of their eagles a dark blue, and with the phenomenon of scale colour, it would appear as you have portrayed it. The 1815 pattern colour was also known to have been lighter in intensity of colour than the previous more lavishly decorated types, giving an almost 'washed out' appearance. I painted one of these chaps about 6 weeks ago and found the same problems with painting the inscriptions. It seemed to me to be clearer and easier on the one side than on the other! I really like your buttons; I only managed a black dot rather than the beautifully 'lined' buttons on your man. Please don't repaint the staff brown, as Marcus Hinton would turn in his grave as they say in my part of the world. Incidentally, the original flag of the 45th is held in Edinburgh Castle, and when I first viewed it many years ago, it sent a shiver down my spine!
ReplyDeleteCheers Mike. Yes, I remember the Castle collection very well. Those were the days. A blue staff it shall remain. As for the buttons, they're just brass dots on top of black dots! I use a chunky dress-maker's pin to do these.
DeleteI've painted four of these over the last few years and I think it's best just to follow the original engraving, wobbles and all. I agree that the back and front don't quite match up but that's just part of the charm. It's also great that every single battalion of Hinton Hunt French infantry is the 45th!!! I agree with Michael that you should stick with the blue flag staff. You've done a superb job, better than any of mine so well done.
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind, Ian. I think your lettering is definitely superior!
DeleteI'll be very interested to know what you think of the rest of the DK infantry when I post them. They are a good deal slimmer and less detailed than Hinton Hunts proper, but I'm hoping that they'll paint up nicely nonetheless.