British Light Infantry 1814

I didn't dedicate much time to my blog lately due lack of time but I hope I can post more of my work the coming period. This figure I started sculpting some years ago and was part of a project which I started with Fernando Ruiz. But during time things got complicated and the project was not advancing for several reasons. I could not dedicate much time at sculpting due to my change of job and move to Spain. Fernando started his own figure company FER and is occupied ever since, not leaving him much time for other projects. So last year Fernando put me in contact with Alfonso Prado for painting the figures I sculpted. He gladly accepted the challenge and send him the figure at the end of last year. It is a 54mm figure sculpted using Magic Sculp and Duro. As you can see Alfonso did a terrific job painting this figure.The figure was painted in the colors of the Light Infantry Company, of the 104th "New Brunswick" Reg Of Foot 1814.

The figure was painted using acrylics. The paintwork on the trousers was done imitating a wool texture and the details painted on the upper part of the uniform are superb!! Below you can see the sculpted figure before painting, using several metal parts of other figures.

The next two pictures are in-progress pictures of the sculpting progress. The first picture the finished anatomy of the figure is shown and the second picture the trousers are fully sculpted.

More figures to come soon!!

Cheers,

Marcel.

Creating the groundwork

I started creating the groundwork for the figure, and chose for scene with a wall with iron fence. The wall and fence were converted from Historex pieces and glued together. The cobblestones were fabricated with magic sculp. After drying of the glue and putty, the groundwork was first primed with a Vallejo grey primer before it was painted in grey and earth tones. The fence was covered with a black undercoat.

I also made some more progress with the paintwork on the figure. The blending on the jacket, and painted the buttons and white border were finished. Highlights and shadow were applied on the red vest and the painting of white shirt was also finished. The last part painted were the leather belts in brown tones trying to give it a bit weathered look.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Soldat de Plom 2016 is coming

On 21,22 and 23 of October the 21th edition of Soldat de Plom will be held again in Girona!

More information can be found on facebook or http://www.elbaluard.net/en/
Inscription are open and can be done here.

Prepare your figures and I hope to see you there!!

Cheers,
Marcel.

Blending the jacket

Here a little update on the Mosso d'Equadra. I have spend some time on blended the highlights and shadows of the blue jacket. Furthermore I painted his hair and did some retouches on the face. Next I made a start with the groundwork which I will show in the next update. Now I will continue with the leather parts and add some more highlights on the vest.

 

Cheers,

Marcel.

  

Some more progress

In the new year I finally picked up my brushes again and managed to get some more work done on the Mosso. To get in the mood again I started retouching the face and did some more blending of the skin tones. I re-painted the hat with different black shades to get some warmer tones. Next I started adding the rough highlights and shadows on the jacket and started the blending process.

Next steps will be finishing the blending of the jacket, painting the hair and beard. And finishing the face by doing the last touch ups and painting the lips.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Soldat de Plom 2015

This year the XX edition of the contest Soldat de Plom. Another great edition with many beautiful figures and several great painting and sculpting demonstrations. There were modelers from Italy, Portugal, France, Germany and Spain. It was great to see all the friends from all over europe here again. This year the contest was held at the same time as the festivities in Girona, so besides the figures there were enough things to visit too. On Saturday there were the demonstrations of Antonio Zapatero (sculpting a face in 30 minutes) and Alfonso Giraldes (painting). 

 

On Sunday there was another painting demonstration from the Big Child equip with Jose Palomares and Sergio Calvo. In the evening we had a good dinner with lots of food and some very funny activities for a good laugh. On Sunday there was the award ceremony and this year both of my kids were participating, my daughter for the first time. So I'm a very proud father.

 

 

Best of Show in the fantasy category was Toni Nieto Cano and in the History category Juan Carlos Avila. After the award ceremony the people picked up their pieces and another years show was finished. I had a great time and hope to see you all next year again!!

 

I made some pictures of the figures that were shown during the contest and you can find them in the link below. Additional information and pictures can also be found on El-Baluard Facebook page.

Pictures: Soldat de Plom 2015 pictures
 

Cheers,
Marcel.

First brush strokes

I started to paint this figure and as usual I started with the face. Some blending was done on the left side of the face were the rightside of the face is still with the rough highlights and shadows. Furthermore I started painting the blue jacket, red vest and hat with a base color. I applied the first highlights on the hat but I don't like how it's turning out so I'm going to change the color scheme of the hat. Soon more!

 

Cheers,

Marcel.

 

Soldat de Plom 2015

The XXth International Contest of 'Soldat de Plom' will this year take place from 30th October till 1st November. We also will celebrate the XXXV Historical Miniatures Show that will held from 24th October until the first of November.

This year we will celebrate the millennium of the acquisition of the convent of St. Daniel by the Earls of Barcelona, Ramon Borrell and Ermessenda of Carcassona. This acquisition allowed the bishopric escape from the difficulties it was passing and finish the works of the Cathedral of Girona.

Follow this link and you will find the rules of the XX International Contest 'Soldat de Plom': http://www.elbaluard.net/en/

We look forward to seeing you at our Contest! Add it in your schedules!

Joseph Steck Finished

It's a long time I didn't post anything on my blog. Mainly due to the lack of time. And in the free time I find I rather try to sculp and paint. Well here are the final pictures of the Joseph Steck which I finished last year. The figure was almost completely sculpted by me except the face. It's a 54mm figure sculpted using Magic-sculp and Green stuff,  and it was painted with Vallejo acrylics.

Cheers,

Marcel.

Soldat de Plom 2014

This year the XIX edition of Soldat de Plom was held again in Girona. The theme of this year was the war of 1714 fought in Barcelona, now 300 years ago. The figure for this year was sculpted by Antonio Zapatero and painted by Joan Masferrer.

My addition to the show of this year was the cantinera named Clara de Mas i Duran (1714), which was sculpted and painted by me.

On Friday evening just after work I went to the show which was held again in the church of Sant Lluc. It was great to meet all the Spanish, French, German and Italian friends who are coming almost every year. And this year I also was pleased to meet Pedro from Portugal who I know from planetfigure and my friend Dick from the Netherlands who I didn't see for over two years now. It was great to chat a bit in dutch again.

On Saturday and Sunday you could see the demonstrations of the masters in either painting, sculpting or building groundwork by Marc Masclans, Adriano Laruccia, Louis Dorio, Antonio Zapatero and Alfonso Prado.Where they were shared their techniques and tips, (thanks for the bag of resin Alfonso!). Furthermore you could spend your time to admire lots of great figures, a little less than other years probably due to the world expo which was held in Stresa this year. And during the rest of the days having a great time by chatting drinking and eating with my friends. 

On Sunday the show was closed as usual with the award ceremony. My son could pickup his second medal in junior class and I won this year a bronze in master open.

The best of show fantasy of this year went to Bruno Lavallée and the best of show historical went to the duo Antonio Meseguer y Gustavo Gil.

I was a great show and hopefully until next year!!!

Pictures of the event can be found here: Photos Soldat de Plom 2014

Cheers,

Marcel.

Finished sculpt: Officer of the Cuirassier

Finally here the finished sculpt of the officer of the cuirassiers. Somewhere in January after a discussion I had with Fernando the figure underwent some changes to make it more appealing and less standard. Instead of having the helmet on his head the helmet was placed under the arm of the officer. Therefore I had to resculpt the right arm and helmet. Secondly the manes were added to the horse his neck by using  a mixture of duro and magic sculp. And finally all the small details like reins, saddle details were sculpted using duro and magic sculp. Now the figure will be send to Fernando who is going to do some magic with the paintwork.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Update on the Cuirassier

Here some pictures of the progress on the Officer of the Cuirassiers. At Soldat the Plom I showed the work in progress to Andrea. And he commented that the neck was still to long and too thick. So I took the saw again and removed more or less half a centimeter of the neck. Glued it back to the horse body and made the neck more slim. Furthermore I added some of the reins on the horse head and did some more work on the saddle of the horse sculpting the clothes and the top part of the saddle.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Mosso d'Esquadra 1809-1815

The next figure that is standing on my workbench is the "Mosso d'Esquadra" or Catalan police from 1809 - 1815. I will start painting this figure next weekend on the club meeting of El Baluard. The figure is sculpted by Antonio Zapatero and the box-art painted by Jesus Gamarra. I have cleaned the mold lines and mounted most of the figure, now it's ready to receive some paint.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Finished Officer 3rd foot Grenadier 1751

After some intensive weeks of painting I managed to finish the figure in time for Soldat de Plom. Now that the figure arrived home again I could take some pictures of the finished figure. The figure is totally painted using acrylics. Painting the grenadier hat took quite some time but I'm satisfied with the final result.  The figure base was kept simple and was painted using an airbrush. Here are the pictures of the finished figure. Up to the next figure.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Soldat de Plom 2013

On 18,19 and 20 of October the 18th edition of Soldat de Plom was held again in Girona. This year theme and figure was a "Mosso d'Esquadra" beautiful sculpted and painted by the duo Antonio Zapatero and Jesus Gamarra.

In the weeks before the show I spend a lot of time painting to get at least on figure ready. Two days before the Soldat de Plom the figure was ready, and on Friday evening after coming back from work I brought the figure to the show. I arrived there and after handed over my entry  I soon met my friends from Germany, Italy, France and of course many from Spain. Having a chat and a drink and time was flying by, soon it was time to go home. 
As my son of 6 also is now also infected with the painting virus. He managed to finished a figure and also wanted to take part in the competition. So on Saturday morning I brought him and his painted British line infantry figure to the show.

On Saturday and Sunday there were several interesting demonstrations. Painting demos from Angel Giraldez on fantasy figures and one from Diego Esteban on painting freehand patterns. Antonio Zapatero did a demo on modelling a face, incredible to see him sculpting a face in only half an hour (and handling these tiny balls of puty). And Alfonso Prado did an demonstration on how to create a beautiful snow scenery. In the evening there was a dinner, were every year a different cantinera is elected. This year my wife was the lucky one.

As usual on Sunday in the afternoon there was the award ceremony. For my son and me a great day. He receiving a gold medal in the junior class. And I receiving a silver medal in the painting competition but next to it I was the lucky one to receive a figure painted by Jesus Gamarra for the best painted figure of the 2013 painting course. The figure now has a special place in my display cabinet (many thanks Jesus!!). The best of show went to my german friend Mark Lerach. After the ceremony it was time to return the figures to the contestants and soon it was time to go home. For me it was a great show and hopefully I will meet my fellow modelers in the next edition of Soldat de Plom.

Pictures of the event can be found here: Pictures Soldat de Plom 2013 

or here: SDP 2013

Cheers,
Marcel.

Officer 3rd foot Grenadier (the buffs) 1751

This figure I started during the painting course of Jesus in April and was standing unfinished on my workbench ever since. Now that picked up the paint brushes again I decided to try to get this figure finished for Soldat de Plom of this year. I have painted the hair and did some more work on the face and started painting the silver lace. Furthermore I glued the right hand and smoothed the joined using magic sculp and painted the arm in a red color. Next step will be painting the complicated hat plate.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Painting the face

After finishing the sculpture I cleaned it and applied a few thin layers of primer. When the primer was dry I started painting the face first. Several thin coats off  brownsand were painted on the face as base coat. The base coat was then highlighted using basicskintone and for the shadows burnt cad. red was added to the mixture of brownsand. The hair, moustache and eyebrows were painted as blonde hair using light colors. Furthermore on the uniform several thin coats of a light blue color were added. Next step will be applying highlights and shadows to the uniform.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Finished sculpting

I finally finished sculpting this figure which was standing already too long on my workbench. The last parts that were sculpted are several details of the uniform (medal, epaulette, buttons, glove) and I also sculpted the sword using plastic card and magic sculp. Now it's time to add some color to the figure. Here are the pictures of the final sculpture.

Cheers,
Marcel.

Some more corrections

After shortening the neck of the horse, I noticed that the neck was still to wide. So I removed the remaining mane and made the necessary corrections to the neck and ears. Furthermore I correct some details on the horse head and added a bit more volume to the cheeks. Next step will be the addition of the reins and re-sculpt the mane. The progress of this figure is rather slow because I'm working on several figures at the same time, hopefully next time I can show some progress.

Cheers,
Marcel.